Ceramic floor tiles and the glazed and unglazed varieties

As well as the many materials that are available in floor tile options, there are also lots of finishes available, from matte, glazed and unglazed. This can sometimes confuse many home owners because although they appreciate the appearance differences, they are unsure as to which is the best floor tile option.

Ceramic floor tiles are an ideal flooring solution and they can be glazed or unglazed depending on your personal preferences. There are differences in both the appearance of the two finishes and the way they function and perform as floor tiles.

The glazed variety of ceramic floor tiles are treated additionally by spraying a paint like substance onto them before firing them for a second time at very high temperatures. The second firing of the ceramic floor tile makes it have a shiny and gloss like appearance which can be different colours depending on the particular range of floor tiles.

The glazed variety of ceramic floor tiles will be very strong and durable as well as having a very low absorbency rate, making them ideal for a flooring material. On the other hand, ceramic floor tiles that do not undergo the final firing process and the extra glass will be unglazed ceramic floor tiles. The varieties of ceramic unglazed floor tiles are a non slip floor tile and are ideal for busy areas of the home such as the kitchen floor. The unglazed variety will however absorb water and stains and are more porous unless they receive any extra treatment. This can be in the form of a sealant which will protect the floor tile from any spillages and accidents.
The glazed variety of floor tile are also supplied in a matte finish and textured finish which gives the home owner the best of both worlds, a floor tile solution that provides anti slip properties and a different finishes. . A glazed ceramic floor tile will not normally require any further treatment such as sealant as the floor tile is already resistant to stains and moisture from the way it has been manufactured and largely as a result of the second firing process. The glazed variety of ceramic tiles are very versatile tiles and are not just used as floor tiles, they are commonly found in bathrooms installed as wall tiles where the gloss finish is very desirable. The gloss shine appearance of this wall tile is very attractive for home decor and is commonly used also as wall tiles in kitchen areas such as backsplash areas and behind cooker hobs.

The varieties of glazed and unglazed floor tiles is endless and floor tiles are not just supplied in solid colours, many of the floor tile patterns can have decorative patterns of many variations.
It can be confusing for many home owners when selecting floor tile materials because there is more to a floor tile than the material, with many different finishes and treatments. The best way forward is to get as much advice as you can when selecting floor tiles and all good tile stores will be more than happy to advise on the pros and cons of the different varieties of wall tiles and floor tiles.

Incat Crowther to design 42 m cat for Indonesia

Incat Crowther has secured a contract to design a 42 m wave piercing catamaran ferry for

Indonesian operator Quicksilver Bali.

Quicksilver runs day tours and dinner cruises out of Bali, using the Incat Crowther-designed

wavepiercer Quicksilver 6.

Under construction at PT Caputra Mitra Sejati Shipyard, the new vessel will be built to

Lloyd's Register class and carry 450 passengers in two salons and on three outdoor decks.

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In addition to passengers, the vessel will carry up to 50 crew and Quicksilver personnel,

many of whom work at the operator's pontoon at Nusa Penida Island. At this pontoon, the

operator offers activities including snorkeling, semi-submersible scuba, jet skiing and even

tattooing.

The vessel is configured to not only transport this small army of support staff to the

pontoon, but also to allow meetings and briefings onboard during the outbound voyage.

Incat Crowther worked in close collaboration with Quicksilver Bali to develop a vessel

optimized for the service being offered. Many features have been implemented to increase

passenger comfort, such as window washing platforms on both decks. Safety demonstrations and

live music shows performed on the main deck are relayed throughout the vessel via the

integrated AV system.

The main deck interior cabin features seats for 268 passengers, and has a large bar at the

aft end. Adjacent to the bar is a dual-entry cool room, which allows for quick loading of

supplies, and immediate access from the bar. Behind the bar and cool room are extensive

amenities. A total of 15 toilets are provided.

The mid deck cabin seats 168 passengers, with a small servery aft. The servery is linked to

the main deck bar via a dumb waiter.

The aft mid deck has 42 exterior seats. Stairs lead from this deck to a large sundeck, with

50 outdoor seats and ample standing room.

The vessel will have multiple boarding points to allow quick embarkation and disembarkation.

Large aft quarter decks are provided for transfer of passengers to the pontoon. These load

into broad stairs that link to the main deck boarding area. Large passageways and stairs are

provided to the main deck cabin and the mid deck. There are also passenger loading gates on

the mid deck.

At the aft end of the main deck is an area reserved for luggage trolleys and supplies for the

pontoon. These are loaded by a pair of davits outboard allowing loading and unloading on both

sides.

The design of the vessel pays particular attention to adequate access for maintenance of

machinery and to the fast and easy removal of engines for major overhauls.

The vessel is fully compliant with IMO HSC stability regulations, providing a level of safety

exceeding regulations for domestic use.

The vessel will be powered by four Caterpillar C32 Acert C engines, each producing 1,080 kW.

Propulsion is carried to KaMeWa 50A3 waterjets via ZF3050/D gearboxes and cardan shafts. The

vessel will have a service speed of 26 knots and a top speed of 30 knots. Extensive long-

range fuel tanks will be fitted, giving the vessel a delivery range of 800 nm.