Ceramic Tile: A Healthy Choice for a Healthy Planet
With the worlds growing concern for health, we’re scrutinizing the standards of the past and setting the bar higher when it comes to the building products and practices we use in our homes.
Forward-thinking consumers of today realize that health encompasses more than just a clean appearance — that a product shouldn’t be considered “healthy” unless it’s safe for us, as well as the environment.
Healthy Home
First things first: Ceramic tile does not contain many of the harmful elements that can be present in other types of building products — an important feat at a point when our concerns about health are stronger than ever.
For example, ceramic tile contains no:
- PVC: PVC is a resin present in many vinyl flooring types. PVC contains phthalates and organotins, both regularly a subject of concern among health experts.
- Formaldehyde: Certain levels of formaldehyde can irritate medical conditions such as asthma and other respiratory disorders.
- VOCs: VOCs are harmful gases that cause various health concerns and can be emitted by many nonceramic flooring types.
- Toxins released by fire: Ceramic tile doesn’t emit any toxic fumes when exposed to fire.
What’s more, properly installed and maintained ceramic tile is inhospitable to both allergens and bacteria growth. Allergens in the environment (such as dirt, dust, and pollen) cannot penetrate ceramic tile’s nonporous surface. This same surface naturally resists the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, and other fungi.
The combination of these facts means that ceramic tile can help you create a healthy home.
And, because ceramic tile works for just about any surface in your home, from the floor to the ceiling and the bathroom to the pool surround, you only have to look for one material to cover all your bases (literally).
[Related: Health Benefits of Ceramic Tile]
Healthy Cleaning
Ceramic tile’s health benefits extend to also making it convenient to maintain a hygienic environment with easy — and effective — cleaning.
Sweeping, wiping with water, and drying are all that’s necessary to clean up most messes on properly installed and maintained ceramic tile. This minimizes the need for harsh cleaners and the chemicals they may contain. If you do occasionally need to use stronger cleaners, you can rest assured that ceramic tile won’t fade or dull from their use.
Ceramic tile is also:
- Antimicrobial: Certain ceramic tile options can suppress and even destroy harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi.
- Stain-resistant: Ceramic tile is highly resistant to stains, making for low-maintenance care.
- Scratch-resistant: Scratches, scrapes, dents, and cuts aren’t a match for ceramic tile’s incredibly durable surface. While the aesthetic and functional benefits of scratch resistance are obvious, it also promotes hygiene, since dirt can accumulate in small crevices.
[Related: The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Ceramic Tile]
Healthy Planet
In addition to being easy to clean, ceramic tile is one of the most environmentally friendly surface materials on the market.
Tile is durable enough to endure for generations, giving it the lowest life cycle cost of any flooring. It is also made from naturally occurring materials, meaning that it typically qualifies for clean fill at the end of its life cycle. It is also energy-efficient, has options available for pre- and post-consumer recycling, and is salvageable.
The UL-certified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for North American-made ceramic tile shows that North American-made ceramic tile has the lowest carbon footprint — including the lowest global warming potential and the lowest fossil fuel resource depletion — of any flooring type, when compared to other floorings with generic EPDs evaluated under the same product category rules.
[Related: Guide to Going Green With Ceramic Tile]
Less Mess, More Peace of Mind
Make health, cleanliness, and sustainability easy by choosing one material that checks all the boxes and covers all your surfaces. Learn more about how ceramic tile promotes a healthy home, healthy cleaning, and a healthy planet by exploring the following resources:
- Hygiene Guides
- Health, Hygiene, and Cleanliness Benefits Poster
- Healthy Benefits of Porcelain and Ceramic Tile Infographic
Credit:
Ceramic Tile: A Healthy Choice for a Healthy Planet | Why Tile