A correct choice of the ceramic tile should take into account the area of intended use and the use to which the installed ceramic surface will be subjected.
There are various types of stresses to which a wall or a floor may be subjected, depending on the use of the location, and which determine the choice of the most suitable type of tile. Such stresses can be classified as follows: massive/mechanical stress, which act throughout the tiled floor or wall; surface/mechanical stress, which act on the surfaces of the walls or floors; chemical stress , produced by chemical substances; hygrothermal stress, connected with the exposure of the tiled surface to particular humidity and temperature conditions.
With regards to the areas of intended use, it’s necessary to distinguish between horizontal or vertical positioning of the tiling. A floor (horizontal positioning) will be more sensitive to mechanical stresses than a wall (vertical positioning), which has only to support its own weight; a floor’s ability to sustain loads is therefore important, whilst the important aspect for a wall is the strength of the bond between tile and background. Interior or exterior location: an outdoor location is exposed to significant changes in temperature and humidity; these changes are, on the other hand, limited for internal surroundings.
Intended use and frequency of use of the area: public spaces with heavy traffic are generally subjected to a multitude of stresses: from treading and the passage of trolleys and other means of transport (mechanical stress), to contact with aggressive chemicals (chemical stresses). The stress to which industrial areas are exposed depends on the specific manufacturing activities involved.
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