Tiles can be given extra grip without compromising their looks

Tiles are the only material where one can exactly change the specification to make it suitable for high grip technical floor areas without compromising their looks says Subrata Basu – Vice President, Design, NITCO.

What kinds of tiles are best utilized for flooring in auditoriums and theatres where a symbiosis of aesthetics and robustness is desired?

For an auditorium/theatre, the function of the floor tile has to have the following characteristics:

Ability to take high load (high traffic footfall, movable trolleys, carts, setup material). The tiles also have to allow for grip, to avoid slippery floors (if there is any external exposure), wet shoes and children running so as to avoid injuries and also protect senior citizens using wheel chair.

Grip is absolutely essential. Also since tiles are the best solution as they are easy to clean and have anti bacterial surfaces, the application areas in the following can be further broken into the reception lobby area, car parking, the staircase, the stage, seating areas, bathrooms, office space etc. All the areas would require a different set of function and aesthetic. To explain a few, the reception lobby would usually be the area which will have the highest aesthetic appeal; for example a center medallion/mosaic aesthetic, which would be a function of the wall and the floor relevant to the theatre or auditorium style. Art Deco is a common typology you will see in Mumbai.

When it comes to utilizing tiles for flooring what properties make it anti-skid and safe for pedestrians?

Anti skid properties are a function of the glaze and the polishing done on the tile surface. Tiles are the only material where one can exactly change the specification to make it suitable for high grip technical floor areas without compromising their looks. Also since they are available in many sizes, they are also the most inert material, anti bacterial, anti inflammable, do not decay are easy to clean as also recyclable. All these properties also make them the best choice in the post pandemic world.

For walling what kind of tiles do you believe are the best fit for homes and offices?

Ceramic Wall tiles are the best fit.

What kind of tiles are the best fit for heritage properties?

If it is about a lifetime without maintenance or recreating the ancient tiles or natural stone floors in heritage properties, tiles can be used to replicate the designs and used with varying texture, design, color patterns. Porcelain tiles are the most suitable for this.

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