What is liquid tile
Liquid tiles are understood as a multilayer plate made from the most common polycarbonate. There is liquid inside it. As a rule, its role is played by glycerin and cosmetic oil. The liquid does not mix and at the same time gives a certain pattern. It is not static and is capable of constantly changing with each impact on the tile. It is enough to take one step on the liquid tile and it will change the pattern. This is where the “living” floor effect arises.
Types of liquid tiles
It can be round or square. It is also available in different sizes. In particular, round liquid tiles can reach one meter in diameter.
The color range of this material is incredibly wide. The “living” floor can be red, blue, orange, etc. The tiles can be either one-color or two- or three-color.
The liquid inside the tile may be matte or shiny. The base (polycarbonate) can be transparent or colored.
At the moment, this type of flooring is not so widely represented on the Russian market. However, its popularity is growing.
Advantages of liquid tiles
In addition to the original effect with a “living” pattern, liquid tiles have many advantages. Hypoallergenicity is one of the main advantages of this material. The dye that is inside the liquid tile is used in the food industry.
This coating has high impact resistance. In this parameter, the tile is not inferior to tempered glass and laminate. You can safely walk on it even in the thinnest stiletto heels. It is also able to withstand a very large load, which is important.
Each tile has an anti-slip layer, making it almost impossible to slip on it, even in the bathroom. In addition, it has good moisture resistance.
Liquid tiles have a “warm” surface, which tiles or porcelain tiles cannot boast of. It will be comfortable to walk on it barefoot even in the cold season. It has excellent shock-absorbing properties, so you can feel the softness when walking.
This material has high vibration-proofing and acoustic properties. If you have noisy neighbors living below you, cover the floor with liquid tiles and your place will become quieter.
The coating has good resistance to ultraviolet radiation. Liquid tiles do not change the brightness of their color and do not fade for at least 6-9 years.
Ease of maintenance is another advantage of liquid tiles. Dirt hardly lingers on it; if necessary, it can be easily washed with plain water.
You can also note the anti-stress effect of liquid tiles. This material calms the nervous system if you watch the play of the “living” floor pattern for some time.
Disadvantages of liquid tiles
It is impossible to lay out the entire floor in a room with liquid tiles. It can be used to decorate only a certain area of the room, since it is simply can't cut. The thing is that the dye inside will simply spread.
Liquid tiles cannot be used at low temperatures (below 0°C). It will not work to finish the floor in the gazebo, balcony or terrace.
You can’t put anything hot on a “living” floor, since the polycarbonate surface will simply melt from the high temperature.
Perhaps its main disadvantage is its high cost. The average cost per square meter of liquid tiles is about 14 thousand rubles. However, for those who love originality, this is not an obstacle to purchasing this material.
How to lay liquid tiles
Installation of a “living” floor is simple. The tiles must be laid on a flat surface and fixed with special glue. Double-sided tape is also suitable as a layer of adhesion between the base and the tiles. If the surface on which the material is laid has a slope, this will lead to an uneven distribution of the pattern.
Liquid tiles can be safely combined with other floor coverings, and can also be used to decorate a horizontal surface. It is used in finishing bar counters and tabletops.
Liquid floor tiles are an exclusive and very impressive new product on the construction market. Such a miracle coating will not leave anyone indifferent, because with its help you can bring to life even the most original and bright interior solutions. Living tiles, as the material is also called, will become the main source of pride for the owners and a reason for the admiration of the guests.
Technical characteristics of interactive 3D tiles
Liquid floor tiles are a multilayer polycarbonate sandwich plate, inside of which there is a liquid, most often glycerin and cosmetic oil.
In rare cases, acrylic can be used instead of glycerin. A feature of the slabs is the inability of the liquid part to mix, creating a spectacular 3D pattern formed by pressing on the surface and in every sense “reviving” the floor.
After the degree of pressure decreases, the “living” floor returns to its previous pattern. This effect looks very creative.
3D tile structure
- The bottom base layer is a polycarbonate base that creates adhesion to adhesives and the surface of the subfloor.
- A shock-absorbing substrate that serves as protection against damage and reduces pressure on the surface.
- A reflective layer, which respectively forms a glow.
- A two-component gel compound responsible for changing the pattern.
- Ultra-clear plastic lens designed to visualize gel movement.
- The top layer is a reinforced polymer endowed with shockproof and wear-resistant properties.
Properties
It is thanks to these components that interactive living floor tiles take on a breathtakingly fantastic look.
It is worth mentioning right away that the polycarbonate base is not made from the usual raw materials used for greenhouses, but from reinforced materials that can withstand enormous loads.
And the gel, which takes on the role of a color accent, is used not in one shade, but in two or three, creating magnificent and each time varied abstract patterns.
When it comes to tile flooring, we envision an image of a static, solid ceramic surface that has a consistent color or pattern. We are accustomed to the fact that the design and color of tiles do not change under the influence of external factors. But thanks to modern technology, living floor tiles have appeared. This type of flooring changes color right under your feet. The pattern on this tile changes under the influence of surrounding factors, creating the effect of walking on water. This coating is also called “interactive” or “liquid”.
Product Features
In fact, the tile is inanimate, but since the product changes its color and pattern under the pressure of our feet, the resemblance to a living creature can be traced. Even when touched by hand, the coating reacts by changing patterns and colors. The most interesting thing is that the floor in the room will change after each walk on it, which makes it unique.
Live tiles consist of several layers:
- the bottommost layer is the base layer;
- above it there is a shock-absorbing layer;
- followed by a reflective surface;
- after this comes a two-component non-toxic gel compound;
- Above is a plastic super-transparent lens;
- the topmost layer is a polymer wear-resistant shockproof coating.
There is a colored gel inside the tile product. It is he who is responsible for changing the pattern under pressure. The capsule is filled with gel and has a square, round or rectangular shape. This capsule is made of several layers of polycarbonate, but sometimes acrylic is used to make it.
When pressure is applied to the tiled surface, the gel spreads, creating the effect of water flowing. As soon as the pressure stops, the original pattern is restored, but not completely.
Important! Since the gel flows from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure, it is not recommended to apply simultaneous application to the entire surface of the product.
There is a compensation groove along the inner perimeter of each element. It is needed to protect the edges of the element from the pressure of the spreading gel. As a result, even with strong pressure on the tile, leaks do not occur.
Attention! It is permitted to operate the interactive product at temperatures not lower than zero and not higher than 60°C.
Scope of application
This soft and moisture-resistant coating has a fairly wide range of uses. Manufacturers recommend laying living tiles in rooms where people walk barefoot, but their scope of application is not limited to this. Thus, an interactive product is successfully used:
- in the children's room;
- on the bathroom floor;
- in the bedroom;
- in the living room, an interactive coating will allow you to create an original interior;
- in a bar, nightclub or on the dance floor it also looks appropriate and unique.
Important! The scope of application of the liquid product is limited only to heated rooms, since at subzero temperatures the element loses its unique qualities and performance characteristics.
The developers of the liquid coating intended to use tiles for finishing the floor, but once the product hit the market, designers found many other uses for it. They began to line bar counters, tabletops and counters.
If you decide to make an interactive tabletop, then during its operation it is important to follow several rules:
- You cannot cut anything on a living tabletop with a knife, as the blade will damage the polycarbonate layer. Scratches will damage the appearance of the product.
- If the coating is punctured, the gel will leak out of it and the “liquid” effect will be lost.
- Do not place hot dishes on such a countertop, since the polycarbonate surface begins to melt at temperatures above 60 degrees.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages of living tile coverings, it is worth listing the following:
- The surface is shock-resistant. The tile will not be damaged if you walk on it in high-heeled shoes or even stilettos. In terms of strength, it is not inferior to laminate, porcelain stoneware or tempered glass.
- Thanks to anti-slip surface There is no slipping on the floor even if there is water in the bathroom.
- The product is moisture resistant, Therefore, we can install it in swimming pools, bathrooms, toilets and kitchens.
- This is an environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic material. Colored gel and polycarbonate will not harm your health.
- Compared to the surface of tiles or porcelain stoneware, living tiles are warm and pleasant to the touch, making them pleasant to walk on barefoot even in the cold season.
- The coating is soft and shock-absorbing, which reduces noise in the room and reduces the load on the joints and spine.
- Smooth surface does not contribute to the accumulation of dirt, and if necessary, the floor covering can be easily washed with water.
- The material has high sound absorption. If the neighbors below are very noisy, then such floor tiles will create good sound insulation for your apartment.
- The product retains its color brightness for a maximum of 8 years. The floor does not fade in the sun and does not fade over time.
Despite the impressive list of advantages, this unique product has some disadvantages:
- Live coverage price quite high. In our country, prices for living floor tiles range from $125 to $660 per piece.
- Because the cutting tiles is prohibited, They cover only certain sections of the floor. It will not be possible to cover the entire surface of the room with such a product.
- Liquid coatings not suitable for unheated verandas, terraces, balconies, porches. They are also not used as street coverings, since the material deteriorates at subzero temperatures.
The main disadvantage of interactive flooring is its high cost. But if you combine such tiles with other finishing materials, for example, tiles, carpet or laminate, you can get an original floor covering for reasonable money.
"DESIGN TILE" (PVC tile)
“Design tiles” is a new direction of modular vinyl-based floor coverings, which gives endless scope for flight of imagination. Is a variety.
"Design tiles" (PVC tiles)
The most popular shape is a square 30 x 30 cm, there are also rectangles and other shapes. “Design tiles” can imitate wood, metal or marble. Tiles with a rough surface (granite, wood and velvet) are also widespread.
"Design tiles" (PVC tiles)
To give a complete look, decorative elements (corners, borders) are produced.
PVC tiles are used in absolutely any residential, non-residential and commercial premises of various classes.
INTERACTIVE SURFACE
The latest development of flooring - interactive tiles. It was popularly called - "live tile".
Interactive tiles fully comply with established sanitary and technical standards, are resistant to any mechanical damage and meet the requirements of designers.
Paints used in production interactive tiles, are absolutely non-toxic and do not cause any harm to humans or the environment. In addition, all interactive tiles undergo special tests (half the surface of the tile is subjected to pressure equal to 500 kg/sq.m).
Unusuality interactive tiles the fact that a changing pattern is concentrated inside the polycarbonate plate, which “comes to life” from any touch.
"Live Tile"
The whole secret of technology is in the interaction of the internal structure interactive tiles with the influence of the external environment, which has found its successful application in the production of flooring, furniture and other decorative elements of the interior.
General structure interactive tiles has the following structure:
- base layer;
- shock-absorbing layer;
- reflective layer;
- two-component non-toxic gel compound;
- super transparent plastic “lens”;
- polymer shockproof wear-resistant layer.
Interactive tiles Available in two versions - with a white and transparent base. At the same time, interactive tiles with a transparent base can be illuminated with cold light to achieve maximum effect.
"Live Tile"
Using interactive tile When decorating a room, you must remember its specific features:
- It is unacceptable that high uniform pressure is exerted over the entire tile surface. That is, in any case, a little more than half the area of the interactive tile should be free from impact.
- When installing interactive tiles, it is prohibited to bend it by more than 2 degrees.
- You cannot cut or otherwise influence it externally, thereby damaging the internal structure of the tile.
- Laying tiles should only be done on an absolutely flat and smooth surface.
- Interactive tiles should be supported along the surface of their base, which helps prevent unwanted flexing.
- It is allowed to install interactive tiles on a glass surface.
- Interactive tiles that are not attached to the floor or do not have support may become slightly deformed over time. The same thing happens under the influence of high temperatures (the temperature should not be higher than 69 C°).
- Over the course of some time of use, small air bubbles may form inside the interactive tile.
Interactive tiles Available from manufacturers in five standard sizes:
- 250mm/250mm/6.5mm;
- 497mm/497mm/6.5mm;
- 994mm/994mm/7.5mm;
- diameter 600mm/7.5mm;
- diameter 1000mm/7.5mm.
But at the request of the client, it can be made of any shape and size within the maximum permissible limits (no more than 1000mm/1500mm).
The color range is so diverse that every consumer will find a color scheme that suits them. Although, with an individual approach, manufacturers can produce tiles of any required color. This is where the freedom for an interior designer lies!
If you are not an extra-class professional in repair work, leave the laying of interactive tiles to professionals in this field, otherwise even this wear-resistant and durable material will serve you only a couple of years, and not several decades with a full range of positive emotions.
“Living tiles” will look very good in the center of a children’s room, in the living room (guests will definitely appreciate it), on a bar counter or on the surface of a dining table, or as a headboard for a bed. It’s not worth talking about commercial establishments - bars and restaurants, shopping centers, etc. I also highly recommend this tile for rehabilitation centers that have relaxation rooms.
Liquid floor tiles are one of the latest innovations on the finishing materials market. It leaves no one indifferent, its very impressive coverage and effects are truly mesmerizing. This miracle material will help bring your wildest fantasies to life. The delight of guests who get acquainted with the 3D floor in your living room, office or nightclub is guaranteed. Do you want to know what liquid “living” tiles are and what an amazing coating they are.
This coverage is often called interactive. Its peculiarity is to respond to the slightest touch and change its pattern. Fantastic? No, reality! What is liquid tile, we will look at in this article.
The unique composition of liquid tiles changes the pattern on the surface in a new way every time. The color combination is never repeated. The drawing does not stand still. Surreal paintings appear right under your feet.
Under the influence of any force on the tile, blurry figures, light spots without a specific shape, spirals and stripes begin to move across its surface, reminiscent of a cluster of stars in the Galaxy. Walking on such a floor is a pleasure.
Advantages of liquid tiles
– environmental friendliness. Toxic materials are not used in the production of liquid tiles;
– withstands moisture well. Suitable for bathrooms and swimming pools;
– resistant to chemicals and reagents;
– very durable coating. With proper use, the coating will last a long time;
– has interesting decorative properties. Allows you to create a stylish, modern interior;
– does not fade, does not turn yellow, does not lose color saturation;
– has good sound insulation properties and shock absorption;
– high fire resistance, does not support combustion.
Another unique property of a living floor is to give impressions to others. Not only children enjoy looking at the changing colors and tints inside the coating. The sensitive gel even reacts to the movement of pets on the living floor. It’s easy to imagine the reaction of others. Live tiles leave no one indifferent.
Disadvantages of liquid tiles
– high cost of decorative coating;
– the material reacts negatively to constant uniform pressure. The majority (50% and above) of the surface must be free;
– it is prohibited to damage the internal structure or cut the material;
– liquid tiles cannot be used in rooms where the temperature can rise above +69C.
The unique properties of a material can be understood by knowing its composition. The polycarbonate plate consists of several layers, the combination of which gives a fantastic interactive effect:
– Base layer.
– Shock-absorbing layer.
– Reflective layer.
– Gel layer consisting of 2 components.
– Plastic lens with very high transparency.
– Polymer layer. It has shockproof and protective properties.
Liquid “live” tiles – types of tiles
There are several options for liquid interactive tiles. By changing the substrate, you can get a new effect. The scope of application of liquid tiles also depends on the type of base.
Liquid tiles are:
– transparent. Suitable for decorating bathrooms and bar counters;
– translucent. Looks great on a floor that has special lighting;
– white. Against its background, the contrast between the different shades of the gel contained inside is clearly visible;
– colored. The combination of the colors of the substrate and gel creates a variety of unusual shades in one fragment;
– with 3D film. Adds realism and volume to gel “drawings”. You can apply any pattern, photograph, or children's pictures to the substrate.
To enhance the effect and further decorate each detail of the coating, decorative elements are added to the gel:
– silver or gold sparkles;
– asterisks;
- rings;
– particles glowing in the dark, etc.
There are no limits to the imagination of manufacturers of exclusive floor coverings. Adding new components to the gel can transform calm tones into luxurious, shimmering, solemn ones.
Application area of liquid tiles
Liquid “living” tiles can be used for decoration in residential and public spaces. A very wide selection of color solutions makes it possible to choose both a calmer option and a brighter, more creative one.
In an apartment or country house, liquid tiles can be used to decorate the floor in the nursery, living room, kitchen or bathroom. Elements of such a covering in the living room will become a source of pride, and in the design of a children's room it will bring many joyful moments to your baby.
The use of liquid “live” tiles of bright colors or with a 3D effect in the design of restaurants, bars, cafes, and night clubs allows you to create a truly fantastic atmosphere. The lighting under the dance floor and the translucent backing of the living floor support the mood and enhance emotions during entertainment.
An interesting option is to use liquid tiles to decorate a bar or bar counter. Visitors to entertainment venues really like the surface, which constantly changes its color.
Pay special attention! If you cut food or place hot objects on the bar counter, avoid using a “live” covering in this area.
In the children's play area, liquid tiles on the floor and walls will easily create a fairy-tale space in which every child can be a wizard and command the colors of the rainbow.
Operating rules. Liquid tile care
Liquid tiles are a good and durable coating. Treat it correctly and the surface will always be in good condition and will serve you for a long time:
– do not walk on the living floor in stiletto heels. The top layer will be covered with scratches. Appearance will deteriorate;
– do not place heavy furniture or objects of great weight on the surface. Remember, applying pressure over a large area can disrupt the internal structure of the coating;
– in rooms with high temperatures (more than +69C), liquid tiles are deformed. This finishing material is not suitable for baths and steam rooms.
Special care products for such tiles are not needed. Whenever it becomes dirty, it is enough to wipe the living floor with clean warm water or soapy water. This way the surface will maintain its gloss.
But using abrasive products to care for tiles is strictly not recommended. Scratches will gradually ruin the appearance of the outer layer over time.
If you want to surprise your guests and like to enjoy stylish design in your apartment? Do you want to attract visitors to your establishment with an interesting detail that will catch the eye? Liquid tiles are a truly necessary design option! Getting great pleasure from walking on a floor made of liquid “living” tiles that change their colors at the slightest touch, you will understand that your money is well spent.
Video - Liquid tiles with backlight
