Metlakh Tile (35 Photos): What It Is, History Of Creation, Dimensions Of A Broom Made In Russia

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Metlakh Tile (35 Photos): What It Is, History Of Creation, Dimensions Of A Broom Made In Russia
Metlakh Tile (35 Photos): What It Is, History Of Creation, Dimensions Of A Broom Made In Russia

Video: Metlakh Tile (35 Photos): What It Is, History Of Creation, Dimensions Of A Broom Made In Russia

Video: Metlakh Tile (35 Photos): What It Is, History Of Creation, Dimensions Of A Broom Made In Russia
Video: Best Brooms 2019 2024, March
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Among the huge variety of tile materials, the Metlakh tile occupies a special place. If you are looking for a unique floor or wall covering that can brighten up almost any style in the interior, metachian tiles or their imitation are just what you need.

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History of creation

The Mettlach ceramic tile was named after the German city of Mettlach, where this finishing material began to be produced in the 19th century. At first, the ceramic manufacturer was called Villeroy & Boch, when these two names, starting a family business, formed a partnership with a board in Metlach. Metlakh tiles quickly became a household name due to their original design and unique strength.

Tiles enjoyed particular popularity in the Victorian era, it was not for nothing that they were called then "Victorian tiles" and covered the floors of cathedrals, public premises and private residences with it. The coatings from Metlach were also brought during the construction of the famous "Titanic", and are also present in the decoration of many architectural monuments to this day.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Villeroy & Boch brand became a supplier of ceramics for the Russian imperial court.

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This finishing material was especially actively used in St. Petersburg, where at the beginning of the 20th century there was even a specialized store of this German company on Nevsky Prospect. A clear confirmation of the technical properties of this tile is the old interiors of the historical buildings of the northern capital - in the decoration of St. Petersburg palaces it was this finishing material that was often used, which adorned not only the interior interiors, but also the picturesque front doors.

In our country, the peak of popularity of Metlakh ceramics fell on the second half of the twentieth century, when it was used in the construction of multi-storey residential buildings and facing plinths.

Currently, Metlakh tiles are produced in several countries at once (most of the factories are located in France and Portugal), including tiles made in Russia (EuroCeramics plant).

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The French factory "Winckelmans" is one of the oldest, which operates to this day. It is here that ancient techniques have been preserved. Adding modern design ideas to them, the company's specialists create a unique "piece" product, which is characterized by such characteristics as reliability, impeccable quality, natural texture, the most natural shades and patterns, as well as a pleasant matte sheen.

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Features of the

The main material for the manufacture of Metlakh tiles is refractory clay. Plants are located, as a rule, in places where clay is mined, in Russia it is the Dmitrovsky quarry. Metlach is the hardest tile compared to others … Even after a fall or impact, there will be no scratches or chips on it, because such a material is able to withstand pressure from 3200 to 5550 kg.

In fact, Metlakh tiles are endowed with all the properties of natural stone - they can withstand heat and frost, and are absolutely acid-resistant.

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The peculiarity of the design of such tiles is the use of a unique decorative technique "brooms", when the tile is first painted with natural pigment, and only then it is sent to the oven to burn at a temperature of about 1100-1200 ° C. As a result, a durable tile of a natural shade is obtained. It is thanks to firing and pressing that the ceramic coating acquires high performance characteristics, in terms of strength, it is not inferior even to porcelain stoneware.

Such a monolithic and durable coating is used not only in apartments, but also for finishing facades, terraces or paths in front of the house.

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Sizes and shapes

Metlakh tiles are usually small in size, about 10x10 cm, although there are various shapes and forms. Sizes can vary from 3.5 to 20 cm … In this case, the shape of the tile can be completely different - these are squares, rectangles, crosses, triangles, octagons. There are also additional decorative elements for decorating the floor and walls.

Most often, tiles of different sizes are used within the same composition. First, a pattern of large tiles is laid out, and then of small ones. As the thickness of the tiles varies, make sure that the ceramic surface is level when laying.

And be sure to draw a drawing on the surface: in order not to make a mistake during installation, you will need special markings.

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Advantages of Metlakh ceramics

There are plenty of features and advantages of Metlakh ceramics over other finishing materials:

  • Versatility (tiles are used both in the interior decoration of the floor and walls in the house, and for terraces and paths in front of the house, as well as public buildings).
  • Original design (many shapes and ornaments will help to create a unique pattern "not like everyone else's").
  • Natural composition made of high-strength clay, as well as its environmental friendliness.
  • Hardness and strength (It is very difficult to damage the broomsticks, and even if you drive over the tiles in a car, it will not crack).
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  • Durability (the service life can be not only decades, but also centuries, which has been proven in practice), while the color does not fade over time. This is achieved due to the impregnation of the tiles with pigments, when after firing the product becomes even more monolithic.
  • Wear resistance (resistance to humidity and temperature extremes, therefore it is suitable for outdoor decoration, whether it is heat, snow, wind or rain outside).
  • Chemical protection cleaning agents, acids and alkalis.

Of the minuses, we note only the complexity of styling, problems with cutting and the fact that it will be very difficult to create a competent drawing on your own without a professional designer.

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Design features. Variants of use in the interior

Of course, not everyone will "understand" the Metlakh tile. This should be a person with artistic thinking, because you need to have a mature taste in order to choose an interior with complex ornaments. The use of such ceramics is permissible in both modern and vintage interiors. Ethnic and oriental themes go well with such tiles.

Metlakh tiles will help create a decorative accent in the room - for example, make a plain floor and decorate it with elegant skirting boards.

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Such a coating is suitable for decorating a bathroom, as it does not slip and does not absorb moisture. Also, from a broom, you can lay out a luxurious carpet for a living room or a spacious kitchen. A decorative panel made of a broomstick on the wall will become a rather unusual, but effective technique.

Also, the small-sized metlakh tiles will perfectly fit into the interior of a kitchen of any design - with the help of such ceramics, you can arrange a kitchen apron or a work surface.

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Metlach is also suitable for decorating terraces in front of the house, because he is not afraid of snow, rain or frost … And with the help of rounded elements, steps on stairs can also be effectively decorated. It would be a great idea to tile the fireplace with such tiles, as well as the area in front of it. You can even decorate ordinary doors around the perimeter with broom tiles in the form of a mosaic.

Agree, such a finishing material is truly a godsend for a designer. Metlakh tiles can be used literally everywhere.

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Choice of color and size of metlakh tiles

In modern collections of Metlakh tiles, a huge variety of shades and ornaments are presented. It's not easy to settle for something without the help of a professional designer.

Therefore, use the following helpful tips:

  • For lining the paths, larger tiles of non-marking shades are suitable.
  • For interior decoration, use tiles of medium size, beige and pastel shades. This will visually enlarge the room and add space.
  • When choosing a tile, consider the lighting in the room, because artificial light sources can change the shade of the coating. For example, under a yellow lamp, blue tiles will appear greenish.
  • To emphasize the pattern of Metlakh tiles on the floor, lay out homogeneous tiles without a pattern around the perimeter of the floor covering, which will give an interesting accent to the interior.
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Features of care for Metlakh tiles

Caring for metlakh tiles is very simple - you need any cleaning agent, water and a rag. At the same time, even aggressive household chemicals are not capable of harming such a durable coating. To add extra shine and shine to your tiles, you can rub them with paraffin or waxby preheating it in a water bath and dipping a cork there, which you will use to clean your ceramic "carpet".

It is even easier to clean the surface with a solution of water and vinegar (a glass of vinegar in a bucket of water). It is unlikely that you will have to repair or restore such a coating at all, because manufacturers guarantee that porcelain tiles can serve faithfully for several decades.

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The main thing is to competently draw up a design project and lay the coating with high quality, for which do not neglect the help of professionals.

By the way, some designers dare to combine such antique tiles with modern finishing materials similar in texture and properties - for example, clinker or porcelain stoneware. The combination of the heritage of different eras with the trained eye of a professional designer and the skillful hands of a master leads to unexpectedly successful results.

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For information on how to properly lay metlakh tiles, see the next video.

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