Tiles for fireplaces and stoves are a special material. Operating conditions involving high temperatures determine certain coating requirements, which should be: 
- Eco-friendly - when the stoves are heated, the toxic compounds in their composition will evaporate into the surrounding space,
- Heat-resistant, withstanding heat up to 1000ºС. The letter “T” on the package indicates that the product can be used for facing fireplaces. This is also evidenced by the presence of a symbolic flame tongue with the numbers 1 or 2, which indicate the number of burns. The larger the value, the better
The most suitable facing tile for furnaces is matte, measuring no more than 25 x 25 cm. It is easier to lay and maintain, and it lasts longer.
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Terracotta
This tile for fireplaces and stoves is characterized by a rough surface, imitates brick and natural stone. It can be used indoors or outdoors. Terracotta heat-resistant tiles are successfully used in saunas and baths. It is made from dense pressed clay.
The stove in the cottage is tiled with terracotta tiles.
- Impact resistance and durability,
- Resistance to sudden changes in temperature,
- Refractoriness - it is produced at a temperature of 1100ºС,
- Steam and water resistant
- Good adhesion to any glue base
- High heat transfer, which is due to the textured surface, and thermal expansion corresponds to a similar characteristic of kiln bricks.
Majolica
Majolica is a tile made of baked clay, covered with glaze. Often a decorative pattern is applied to the surface. Elements are made by hand, the high price corresponds to labor costs. Sometimes it is combined with metlakh tiles. Read a detailed article about majolica.
The fireplace is tiled with majolica tiles.
Facing the fireplace with majolica.
Tile
A ceramic plate (tile), even heat-resistant, is sensitive to a sharp change in temperature. For furnaces, small matte elements (up to 20 x 25 cm) are preferable - after a while the glaze will become covered with cracks. Usually for stoves use an old tile, which is not a pity to throw out.
Tile - not recommended for rooms where it is permissible to lower the temperature to minus values: possible shedding.
Facing the stove with tiles.
Brick tile
Such a tile for a fireplace or stove is obtained by mixing fireclay powder, several varieties of shale clay and other additives. The surface of the plate is not glazed. The color of the surface varies from white to beige, from orange to red, from light yellow to chocolate brown. The final tone is set by a mineral dye.
Clinker plate has a higher density than terracotta or majolica, which leads to less water resistance and better frost resistance. These characteristics allow the use of such a coating where temperature differences are observed.
It is not recommended to be used for finishing those stoves whose inner walls are lined with kiln bricks. The coefficient of thermal expansion coefficient of materials and their structure are too different.
Tiles
Tiled tiles have a box shape, have a smooth or embossed surface, covered with glaze or enamel. It is made and painted by hand, which determines the high cost of the material.
Individual elements form a pattern during installation. The coating is characterized by high heat transfer and the highest environmental friendliness. The cost is from 30,000 rubles per square meter.
A tiled stove is a real work of art.
Lining the stove and apron with handmade tiles. The tile is made of white clay and coated with glaze.
Fireclay tiles
Fireclay tiles with a single layer of brown coating and blue glaze.
- Resistant to extremes - both low and high - temperatures,
- It has absolute refractoriness,
- Don't crack
- Withstands long-term static loads,
- Not erasable
- Has a low slip coefficient,
- It is neutral to hostile environment (acids and alkalis, solvents and oil products and others),
The stove stove is finished with fireclay tiles.
Available in single and twin, but the latter increases the volume of the furnace. For domestic needs, a single is enough.
Fireclay tiles for the fireplace do not need additional insulation of the base surface: it does not need to be grouped with such coatings as natural stone or gypsum.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tile used for decorating a fireplace is a mixture of quartz sand, several grades of clay, granite and marble chips. The dye is metal oxides and salts. The coating is environmentally friendly.
The structure of porcelain tiles for stoves is non-porous, dense. It is resistant to low and high temperatures.
The stove in the country is finished with porcelain stoneware.
Marble
Beautiful natural material suitable for expensive interiors. A square meter of a 20 mm slab costs about $ 110. Plus, you need to pay for the services of a designer, accurate cutting and laborious work of the master. Read the details of marble facing the fireplace in a separate article. 
Fake diamond
A good option for those who do not know how to lay tiles. A different-sized stone allows you to hide the bumps in the stove. Even a woman with no experience will cope with its styling. Before laying, it is necessary to clean the reverse side of the tile from the influx of the solution.
The furnace is trimmed with different-sized artificial "torn" stone. Laying was done on heat-resistant glue Hercules. The metal elements are painted with Tikkurila Termal Alluminium.
Styling features
When choosing a tile for the stove, pay attention to the wrong side - there should be special notches to improve adhesion to the base surface.
The design is strengthened by aluminum corners or a metal woven network with cells of a maximum of 150 x 150 mm, placed between the tile and the base surface of the furnace. The reinforcing cloth is fixed with 100 mm nails or on self-tapping screws.
The network is covered with a solution of cement (grades no lower than M400), clay and sand. It is recommended to use elastic glue for furnaces based on aluminate cement, containing chemical and polymer additives.
Seams are closed with grout. The uniformity of the width of the gaps between the plates is provided by restrictive crosses.
The most popular for finishing inexpensive stoves are chamotte, terracotta, clinker. Porcelain tiles and tiles are used very rarely. Among the expensive finishing materials, tiles and natural marble are more often chosen.
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- Heat-resistant tile adhesive for underfloor heating, stoves and fireplaces
What functions does the furnace lining perform
- an increase in the heat capacity and heat transfer of the stove or fireplace,
- reduction of the warm-up period of the room in which the furnace is installed,
- decoration
- simplification of care of the stove. The surface of the tile is easier to clean than, for example, a plastered surface,
- psychological component. Replacing heating appliances with a real classic stove positively affects a person’s mood and the general atmosphere of the room.
Which tile is better to lay on the stove in the house
The choice of tile primarily depends on what kind of stove it will be installed on. Furnaces are classified according to their purpose, temperature of heating of the external wall, shape, material of manufacture, fuel used, pattern of movement of combustion products, etc.
From the point of view of the purpose of the furnace, several types can also be distinguished: heating, kitchen, heating and cooking (kitchen), fireplaces. Each of these species has its own heating / cooling cycle. Therefore, the furnaces vary in heating temperature: moderate (up to 100 ° C), high (100-120 ° C), high (over 120 ° C). It is logical that the heating temperature determines the material from which the furnace is made and leaves its mark on deciding which tile for facing the stoves is better.
What properties should have a tile for a fireplace and stoves
When deciding which tiles to lay on the stove in the house or in the country, you need to know that tiles suitable for facing the stove must meet a number of conditions. The main ones are:
- heat capacity. The ability of the material to accumulate and give off heat,
- resistance to high temperatures. Theoretically, the stove can be tiled with any tile. However, not all types of tiles are suitable for these purposes. For facing, a special heat-resistant (refractory, heat-resistant, heat-resistant) tile for the furnace is needed. Its coefficient of thermal expansion should be in the range of 7-8%,
- strength. Some types of tiles have a strength index of 300 Newtons / mm.kv. or 30 tons / sq.m. According to this indicator, the facing tile is much higher than concrete.
- rigidity. Allows the product not to deform under load. In general, the thicker the tile, the stronger it is (harder, more stable),
- environmental friendliness or chemical inertness. When heated, the material can emit substances harmful to humans, therefore, the chemical composition of the tile should be given increased attention,
- resistance to wear, scratches, abrasion, etc. Since fireplace and stove tiles are installed for a long time, it is desirable that it does not change its aesthetic qualities during operation,
- low porosity of the structure of the tile material. The higher the porosity of the product, the lower its strength,
- low coefficient of moisture absorption (up to 3%). An increase in the photoabsorption coefficient increases the porosity of the structure and reduces the strength of the tile,
- fire resistance. A certificate containing data on the temperature conditions at which the use of facing tiles (refractory) is allowed is welcome.
How to choose a tile for facing stoves and fireplaces
Visual assessment of the tiles will help you make the right choice. Professionals recommend paying attention to some parameters:
- the thickness of the tile and its elements should be the same. For different types of tiles, the thickness may vary. But on average, tiles for cladding have a thickness of 6-8 mm,
- identity of geometric dimensions. To check, you need to attach the tile to each other, first the front, then the inside. They must fit tightly so that there are no gaps. Roughness of the front part will create a visual defect. From the wrong side - it will lead to the fact that the tile will not lie well on the surface of the stove, which in turn will affect the quality of the finish.
- in terms of color and shade, tiles and decor elements should not differ from each other.
- the presence of cracks, chips on either side of the tile indicates that it is easy to damage (brittle),
Tile marking (designation)
The labeling (designation on the tile) on the packaging will help to tell which tile to use for facing the stoves. Depending on the type of tile can be applied:
- The letter "T" - indicates heat resistance.
- The numbers 1 and 2 against the background of the flame show the number of firing. The higher the better.
- The letter "E" and the number - water absorption is marked. The higher the number, the more moisture the surface can absorb. For a furnace, the indicator should not exceed 3%. For comparison, the water absorption of granite is 0.5%.
- The designations "A" or "B" on the packaging or the back of the clinker tiles indicate the technology of its manufacture. Option "A" is more technological, has clear dimensions.
- The PEI in grades I to V will indicate the wear resistance of the tile. For the oven, you can use any.
- Norm EN 122 in the variation from A to D indicates the resistance of the product to chemical attack.
Tile cost
The price of facing tiles and the reputation of the manufacturer is far from the last argument when choosing. Masters advise not to save on purchase, because the constant replacement of cheap tiles will turn out to be ultimately more expensive. The cost of tiles by type is shown in the table.
Based on this, it is easy to determine which tile for facing the furnaces is needed. But do not forget that the selected tile should correspond to the general style of the interior of the room.
Types of tiles for stoves and fireplaces
We also note that the entire facing tile for the furnace is divided into two types: natural and artificial. Natural include: dolomite, quartzite, marble, granite, basalt, diabase, pebbles. And also some types of semiprecious stones: onyx, jasper, serpentine. Artificial is the tile that went through a complex production cycle: extraction of raw materials, kneading, pressing, forming, firing, painting, etc.
After analyzing all the proposals for facing tiles that exist at the moment, we can conclude that all the listed requirements correspond only to artificial refractory tiles for the furnace.
1. Terracotta stove tile (terracotta)
Terracotta tiles are made from a certain type of clay (kaolin clay). Heat-resistant tile "Terracotta" has proven itself as a facing material for stoves and fireplaces. After all, it belongs to the oldest of the known types of tiles. Its specific characteristics are:
- terracotta color in various shades. Terracotta is made of two types: glazed (two-layer consists of a base and a layer of glaze) and unglazed (single-layer has a natural or pigmented color). Due to their greater attractiveness, glazed terracotta tiles are used for facing the furnaces.
- high strength.
- excellent adhesion to any surface
- fire resistance (heat resistance).
- relatively low cost. Compared with other types of products for similar purposes.
- various geometry and texture. Allows you to create a drawing of any complexity.
2. Tile majolica (Majolika)
This heat-resistant stove tile is essentially a better version of the glazed terracotta tile. Therefore, their characteristics are similar. Terracotta and majolica differ only in the appearance of the front side of the tiles. Moreover, due to the fact that the majolica pattern is applied in a very thin layer, surface cracking is practically excluded.
Can I use tile for stoves
There is no definite answer to this question, since the possibility is determined by the purpose of the furnace and the temperature of its surface. After all, the tile is not intended for operation in temperature extremes. Such tiles are placed on special compositions. In addition, tile for the oven must withstand high temperatures. Typically, such information is provided by the manufacturer. Thus, it is possible to tile the stove, but the result is not guaranteed.
Tiles for stoves and fireplaces - photo in the interior
Tiled fireplace 
Black stove tiles 
Black stove tiles for the stove - side view 
Beautiful stove tiles 
Fireplace tile 
Fireplace Tiled 
Tiled fireplace portal
What is a stove or fireplace lining for?
Finishing the stove and fireplace with correctly selected tiles allows you to significantly expand the functionality of the design.
- High decorativeness. Suitable in style and color to the base interior, the material creates a complete and aesthetically pleasing space design.
- Increase in heat capacity and heat transfer. The tile, when heated, helps to quickly heat the room and increases the amount of heat inside the furnace.
- Simplified care. It is much easier to clean the glazed surface from soot and dirt than natural porous stone or plaster.
Appearance of a tiled fireplace in the interior
What properties distinguish a suitable tile?
Attention! When buying a tile, be sure to ask the seller for certificates confirming the stated performance of critical parameters. Otherwise, you risk acquiring short-term finishing material.
Light-tiled fireplace - a solution for classic design
Basic rules for choosing a facing material
Advice! Do not buy tiles larger than 120x120 mm. The larger the size, the lower the stiffness and strength.
The cost of tiles for furnaces and fireplaces varies depending on the manufacturer. Do not chase the cheapest material - high-quality refractory ceramic elements are expensive. Remember that you choose a material that will last for many years.
Types of tiles for furnaces and fireplaces
Attention! The clinker expands greatly when exposed to ultra-high temperatures, so it is not suitable for finishing surfaces inside fireplaces and stoves.
Terracotta
Ceramic products from clay of special breeds. The palette is presented in all shades of terracotta color. The surface of the minimum processing is rough and uneven. The material is characterized by the highest strength, heat resistance and low price. However, due to the minimal decorative effect, it is not suitable for all interiors.
Majolica
Majolica is a terracotta tile with an improved composition formula. It has similar indicators of resistance to high temperatures and strength. An advantageous difference is a thin picture layer, which excludes the possibility of the appearance of a fine network of cracks. A specific feature of the material is its high porosity, which excludes the possibility of its use in rooms with high humidity.
Tiled fireplace
Tiles
A kind of terracotta tile. It is characterized by higher heat-saving properties due to the special design of the wrong surface. The material is distinguished by high decorativeness - the glazed surface is represented by many colors and patterns. Ideal to complement almost any interior. The tile reduces the temperature of the surface of the fireplace or stove, so you do not risk being burned. The high price of the material is its only drawback.
When choosing tiles for facing stoves and fireplaces, pay special attention to its heat resistance and strength. Beware of products of unscrupulous manufacturers. Always ask for certificates of conformity for each material and do not chase a suspiciously low price.
Tile selection features
Fireplace decoration performs not only a decorative function. It extends its service life, protects the seams of masonry from damage, protects the structure from mechanical damage. It also allows you to increase the heat capacity and heat transfer of the furnace. When choosing a tile for cladding, you should adhere to certain rules and recommendations for the following parameters:
- Environmental friendliness. The tile itself is an environmentally friendly material, it does not emit toxins when heated (although this is possible). A great danger is the glue used during installation.
- Heat resistance. The product must withstand heat up to 1000 ° C and more, and the coefficient of thermal expansion must be less than 7-8%. On the package, heat resistance is indicated by the letter "T". It is also worth paying attention to the icon depicting a flame with numbers inside. It indicates the amount of firing.
- Moisture resistant. This parameter should not exceed 3%. “E” is used to indicate water absorption, the number following it indicates the coefficient.
- Thermal conductivity. This indicator affects the heating of the room, maintaining a high temperature in it for a longer time.
- Wear resistance (PEI). This parameter is inherent exclusively to floor options.
- Inertness to chemical effects. Icon as a bulb on a black square background. AA products are completely neutral to household chemicals, D are the most unstable, completely lose their original appearance.
- Grade. The quantity of products with defects in a batch depends on it. For marking color is used: red, blue, green, black. The first corresponds to grade 1 (25%).
- Thickness. Preference should be given to materials whose thickness exceeds 8 mm.
Some parameters of product quality can be evaluated visually, for example, design, glaze condition. To determine the curvature, it is enough to take two copies from different packages, attach them to each other with the front side.
Types of tiles used in decorating stoves and fireplaces
There are many types of heat-resistant tiles. Facing material differs in composition, external characteristics. Choosing the right option will depend on many factors: the purpose of the furnace, operating conditions, and more. The surface of the home fireplace is exposed to severe thermal stress. To avoid cracking of blocks and lagging behind masonry, it is necessary to competently approach the task of choosing tiles and the method of laying. Failure to comply with the process will lead to a quick loss of the original appearance. Each type of laying element has its own characteristics.
Tile sizes
For facing fireplaces and stoves, it is necessary to choose a tile of small sizes. Since the thermal unit itself in the house does not have large dimensions, then the material must be selected harmoniously. From small details it is easier to make a beautiful drawing or pattern, and large ones will often have to be cut. Finishing with brick or natural stone tiles looks better if you use elements in their full size.
Popular tile sizes for furnaces are 10X10 mm, 15x15 mm, 18x18 mm, 6x12 mm, 6x18mm, and the thickness is within 8 mm. Installation of materials starts from the corner and moves to the wall. The places where the material adjoins the surface are made out with cut parts.
The fireplace trim format should be commensurate with the proportions of the room itself. All elements must be even and proportional. The slightest deviation of one of the sides can lead the entire row to the side.
Color spectrum
The color of the tiles for stoves and fireplaces should be selected to the overall design of the room. Clinker plates are predominantly natural shades - from pure white to chocolate. The range of shades of porcelain is simply huge. With it, you can create a unique designer design for a thermal unit.
If it is necessary to emphasize the naturalness of the hearth, to bring the construction as close as possible to the rustic stove, choose a clay clay for terracotta cladding. Marble plates, majolica, tile elements produce mainly light colors, complemented by painting, various patterns.
Stylistic directions
Indoor fireplace - multifunctional unit. In addition to heating, it performs important aesthetic functions, is an original decoration of the central room. The method of decoration, the shape of the tiles has a significant impact on the overall style of the room. There are various ways to make a fireplace attractive. Using the facing tiles, you can decorate the stove or fireplace in the following styles:
- Under the gzhel. Use majolica, tiles of various shapes. The unique pattern is created individually for fireplaces in the style of rustic, ethnic, country,
- Imitation of masonry. Making a fireplace in a modern style with brick tiles allows you to create a unique atmosphere. Minimalist design involves the complete concealment of the heat source behind a brick false wall,
- Under the stone. Modern production technologies make it possible to decorate the fireplace with tiles imitating the texture of natural stone. Such material looks great in an English style, chalet, provence,
- Mirror tile. The decoration is suitable for modern Scandinavian-style interiors, minimalism, high-tech. Elements with reflective glossy surfaces are often placed inside the hearth to create a flame reflection effect,
- Panel. You can lay out the original panel over the hearth using porcelain stoneware, clinker tiles, tiles. Patterns with natural motifs, original drawings will perfectly fit into the oriental, eco-style.
Laying rules
The stove is the focal point in the interior. She should always look beautiful and symmetrical. Facing works are carried out according to the preliminary plan. First of all, you need to determine the type of installation and material, calculate the required number of tiles. Some types of plates can be handled independently. For complex work with preliminary preparation of the foundation, the help of an experienced master will be required. Installation of tile materials is carried out according to certain rules.
Which solution to choose for styling
Tile mortar can be purchased in powder or jelly form. The range of adhesive mixtures for facing furnaces is very diverse, which allows you to choose the right option for a specific type of plates. In composition and purpose, they differ as follows:
- Sand and cement mortar. Used for laying ceramic, gypsum tiles. The composition includes Portland cement, water, sand,
- Clay solution. Suitable for tiles, tiles, majolica. Composition - clay, water, fillers. Under the influence of high temperature, the material gains strength,
- A mixture of clay, sand, cement. It has a complex composition that complements liquid glass and ground chalk. A heavy tile (marble, chamotte, porcelain tile) is planted on it,
- Mastic. Heat-resistant compositions are made of clay, cement, latex, bitumen with the addition of turpentine, a solvent. The proportions depend on the type of material and how it is laid.
How to prepare the foundation
Laying tiles for stoves can only be on a flat surface. If this is an old fireplace, it is necessary to remove all layers, leave a bare brick surface. From the intermediate seams, it is necessary to knock out the remains of the solution, having gone deeper than at least 1 cm. You can carry out the work manually using a metal brush or use a grinder and a special nozzle.
Now the base of the furnace must be cleaned of dust and treated with soil. The mixture is applied in several layers until it is no longer absorbed. A reinforcing mesh is fixed to the surface with dowels and primed again. The grid is smeared with a plaster mortar. After it has completely dried, a leveling compound can be applied and beacons installed.
Seam processing
To grout tile joints begin a few days after installation. Use special heat-resistant mixtures of a suitable tone. Work is carried out using a rubber spatula or a special gun. Depending on the end result, the style of the fireplace, grout with the desired structure is chosen, which will make the seams rough or completely smooth.
Mixtures for processing joints have a different composition. Their main task is the general strengthening of the array of finishes, protection from harmful effects, giving an aesthetic appearance to a fireplace or stove. They produce cement and epoxy grouts. Some mixtures are applied in a non-standard way, spreading over the entire surface of the tile. After complete drying, the excess part is removed from the surface with a sponge.
How to care for tiles
Any finishing tile, moisture resistant, heat resistant, does not require special care. Sufficiently periodic wet cleaning using detergents. It is not recommended to use a hard sponge, scraper and other devices that can damage the surface of the elements.
Some types of tiles are washed with alcohol or solvents. Proportions, recommendations for the manufacture of cleaning mixtures, the manufacturer indicates the packaging of the material. To clean seams that have been rubbed with an epoxy mixture, any cleaning agent can be used. If the seam is treated with cement, exclusively gentle solutions without abrasive and acid are used.
The properties
The facing material for fireplaces and stoves has a number of specific requirements.
This kind of finish should possess some properties:
- Fire resistance. The tile must withstand temperatures up to 1000 C.
- Naturalness of origin. When heated, artificial ingredients, if present in the tile, can release toxic substances, so it is very important that the raw materials for these products are exclusively of natural origin.
- Thermal conductivity. Tiles for facing fireplaces and stoves should well accumulate heat from the fire inside the stove and give it away quickly enough. The quality heating of the room depends on this.
- Moisture resistance. The tile must be resistant to moisture.
- Strength. In order for the tile to withstand the temperature difference and high loads, it must be as thick as possible - at least 8 mm.
The strength of the material can also be judged by its porosity. The smaller it is, the more durable the tile is.
- Coloring. In the manufacture of heat-resistant tiles, special paints are used that do not crack and do not lose their color intensity over time.
- External aesthetics. Today, tiles are required to be not only durable, but also beautiful, since a stove or fireplace is part of the interior decor.
Colors
The color of the tiles is selected in accordance with the general interior, as well as depending on the material:
For example, the color scheme of natural marble is very diverse. Due to the content of various impurities in the rock, the stone can take on the most unusual colors. In nature, there is white, black, green, blue, cyan, red, gray, beige and even moon marble.
Some colors are extremely rare and therefore more valuable.
Granite is less diverse: despite the fact that in nature there are a huge number of different shades of granite, all of them can be divided into three main groups: gray, black and brown.
Travertine is slightly richer in color. The most common in nature are white, beige and yellow. Red and dark brown stones in nature are quite rare and therefore especially valuable.
Therefore, to give additional aesthetics, tiles are coated with special paint.
As for ceramic products, there are no selection restrictions. The color scheme of clinker, for example, pleases with variety: from neutral white to calm beige, all shades of yellow and red, as well as light and dark brown.
Some types of tiles are tinted already at the production stage, but there are those that are coated with colored paint after they are made.
Design
The determining factor in choosing the design of the furnace lining is not the type of material, but the interior of the room in which it is located. A characteristic feature of the design of facing tiles specifically for furnaces is the almost complete absence of a geometric ornament.
It is not found in almost any style.
But the design of such products abounds complex ornaments:
Plant patterns characteristic of majolica or tiles can be used in almost all styles - from classic to modern. Faience with its famous blue and white gzhel palette will also be appropriate.
For a classic interior, you can choose porcelain tile, its possibilities are almost endless. With it, you can create whole pictures.
The modern interior does not imply too colorful finishes. Here, elegant monophonic tiles with small patches of decor will be more appropriate. Various imitations look like malachite and marble, as well as wood.
In a hunting lodge or a country cottage, you can use natural stone. In order not to reduce the cost of the interior, do not interfere with the natural material with other types of finishes; it works well solo.
Real furnaces are rarely found in techno or futurism interiors. However, if elements of such design areas are still present, a plain tile will look good here.
In a village house terracotta and clinker will be appropriate. Especially good will be the images of plants and flowers in the style of Khokhloma.
Requirements for the “stove” tile
Tiles for stoves and fireplaces must be:
- Heat resistant. If the letter “T” flaunts on the package, the facing material is able to withstand heat up to 1000 degrees. The flame tongue, the image of which comes in the “kit” with numbers: 1 or 2, also testifies to heat resistance.
Mathematical symbols mean the number of fired tiles - the larger the number, the more heat-resistant the product.
- Strong. Tiles whose thickness is less than eight millimeters are not suitable for facing fireplaces.
- Heat conducting. The material, even the most heat-resistant, is of little use if it does not share the "temperature" with the room.
- Dense. Fine porosity is an important criterion that determines the suitability of tiles for the design of furnaces.
- Wear resistant. Directly depends on the previous paragraph. Defined by the PEI standard. This classification assumes the presence of five categories (I-V). For facing stoves and fireplaces, stoves labeled IV and V can be used.
- Moisture resistant. And this parameter is related to density. Tiles should not have more than three percent water absorption coefficient.
- Eco-friendly. Heating is always accompanied by the evaporation of certain substances. If the material contains toxic substances, they will certainly enter the human body.
Corresponding to a certain framework of thermal expansion. More precisely, the borders are 7-8%.
Of course, in addition to technical criteria, there are also decorative requirements. Of course, no one obliges to decorate stoves and fireplaces with beautiful and spectacular tiles, but it is impossible not to recommend the use of attractive facing material.
Tiling the furnace: process features
The stove has long served people, creating coziness and comfort in the home. The appearance of the stove is the hallmark of the whole house. Ceramic tiles for the oven can transform any oven, and this will help in its selection.
Ceramic tiles for stoves have been used in furnishing furnaces for hundreds of years.
Even today, despite the emergence of many diverse materials and technologies, I have not lost a leading position, thanks to quality, reliability and a good price.
It has high strength indicators, and easily tolerates large loads during operation. Concrete is far behind in terms of performance from ceramic tiles, it is less durable and loses to ceramics in wear resistance.
The installation of ceramic tiles is quite simple, and requires a minimum of tools and skills.
- High fire resistance of ceramic tiles is an undoubted advantage when decorating stoves and fireplaces.
- It is made of environmentally friendly and safe, natural materials. Clay - as the main material for the manufacture, is completely safe, and does not emit any substances harmful to health.
- Tile care is very simple and does not require special efforts and special measures. It will be quite simple to wipe the ceramic tile from time to time with a damp cloth.
- The disadvantages of ceramic tiles for stoves are very few. It can only be noted that ceramics is a rather rigid material, therefore, when struck with a solid object, it can easily be split.
- This small drawback can be ignored, this facing material is very practical and convenient in the decoration of the furnace.
Do-it-yourself tile fireplaces
For work we need such materials:
- tile,
- sand,
- cement or clay (for mixing the solution),
- water,
- crosses and wedges,
- nails and a hammer
- self-tapping screws
- drill,
- level,
- putty knife.
Preparatory work
Work begins with surface preparation. If this is not done, the cladding will begin to exfoliate.
The preparatory phase is as follows:
- Inspect current coating, remove completely.
- Using a plumb bar, it is necessary to determine the thickness of a new coating that can level the plane.
- Level the uneven surface with a primer or other compound.
- Using a chisel and a hammer, deepen the joints at least 1 cm.
- Drive nails or screws.
- Hang a mesh on the surface. So that it does not fall off, you can put washers on the hats of the screws.
- Technology for laying tiles on the fireplace
After the surface of the fireplace is prepared, you need to make a solution. Process depends on it composition:
- Clay. Clay is passed through a sieve. Get a homogeneous composition without lumps and debris. Then the clay is mixed with water and left for a day to achieve the required viscosity. Sand is added to the mixture. The proportions are calculated in advance using clay-sand balls.
- Cement. Sand and cement are added to the container in a proportion of 1/3. Gradually pour water into the mixture. The cement mortar is mixed to a homogeneous consistency.
To tile the fireplace with your own hands, you must first lay it out on the floor in order to determine the laying order.
There are two ways to post it:
- using crosses and wedges to get the same distance between the plates, or butt.
- the second option for framing the fireplace stove with tiles is simpler, but it requires an ideal eye.
Laying starts from the lower left corner. First, the fireplace is covered with mortar with a spatula, then the building material is pressed in a circular motion to the surface. Each row is checked for parallelism to the previous one using the building level.
If crosses and wedges are used, then they are inserted in the course of work.
- For filling, you can use a plastic bag with a small cut corner. Squeezing the right amount of solution, you need to fill in all the gaps between the tiles.
- After the fireplace is fully lined with gypsum, at least three days must pass before the compositions dry. After time, a protective wax mixture is applied.
Functions
Furnace lining performs number of specific functions:
- reducing the time required to heat the room,
- providing convenience in caring for the device - it is much easier to wash the tile than, for example, a plastered surface,
- Attractive decor
- increase heat transfer and heat capacity of the furnace,
- psychological aspect - according to most psychologists, the presence of a traditional stove in a house has a good effect on the general atmosphere in the home, as well as the mood of others.
Where is it used?
Refractory tiles for fireplaces and stoves are used primarily as an element of decor for surfaces of heating devices. Thanks to the tiles, these objects can be turned into a real work of art, giving the stove or fireplace an individual style or decoration, adhering to certain cultural traditions.
A perfect example is the Russian stove, which is still used in homes directly for their intended purpose or as a bright element of the decor of the room.
Tiles are not used for finishing the space around the furnace, working and internal surfaces.
All types of refractory tiles must be with a certificate of quality. Only with supporting documentation can we say that the material will be correspond to the declared characteristics.
Selection Rules and Criteria
The choice of refractory material for the outer lining of a fireplace, stove in a bathhouse, a private residential building, including a country house, should be carried out primarily taking into account whether it is suitable in terms of its properties, technical characteristics, and chemical composition for the type of surface to be laid heat resistant tile.
Of course, the appearance is also important, the optimal combination of drawings, color solutions of the selected refractory tile with the main shade of the interior design of the sauna, kitchen or living room is necessary, it is necessary to determine its front surface matte, glazed, flat or embossed.
Invaluable help in resolving this complex issue can be provided by furnace masters, furnishing specialists who usually need a visual assessment of furnace equipment, as well as employees of trading organizations selling tile products.
With an independent choice, the following criteria should be taken into account, which must be met by high-quality refractory tiles made in accordance with the technical conditions of mass production:
The average thickness of a piece is 6–8 mm.
A thinner tile is brittle, with a thick one, problems can arise both during installation and in the subsequent operation of the furnace equipment due to a drop in heat output in the air of the room.
The geometric dimensions of the tiles in one package, and in the product selected for purchase, must be identical, otherwise the laying process will be complicated, the appearance of the finished surfaces will suffer.
Checking the dimensions, evenness of the refractory tile is simple: it is enough to attach two products with the front, then the inner side to each other, to understand how much they coincide, whether there is a gap between them, indicating the curvature of the surfaces.
The front side of the tile should not have either mechanical damage or traces of factory defects - caverns, unevenness on a smooth surface, incomplete glazing, as well as mismatch, color change, pattern within the selected lot of goods.
Cracks and chips detected during the selection on individual pieces of products are an alarm signal that the product is very fragile and easily damaged, therefore, it is likely that the front side of individual refractory tiles may burst during operation or the part of the purchased product will suffer when transporting to the place of masonry work.
When choosing, you should not mix refractory tiles of different types, manufacturers, since their properties, technical parameters, despite the external similarity, can vary greatly, and this can be fatal during operation, for example, due to different coefficient of thermal expansion, which often leads to the collapse of fragments of the furnace lining.
The best choice is a refractory tile with decorative elements in the same color, tint range from one manufacturer, not differing in properties, technical characteristics.
When ordering, purchasing, a surplus of 10-15% is required, since part of the material will inevitably go to waste during trimming, and the remaining amount will become a reserve for replacing accidentally damaged tiles during long-term operation.
