The Newest Thing in Green Building is an Ancient Material

by | Nov 6, 2013 | 19, 2, 3, Articles

<font size="3" color="#990000"><strong>The Newest Thing in Green Building is an Ancient Material</strong></font> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">(ARA) – From solar powered hot water heaters to "hardwood" floors made from fast-renewing sources, home buyers and homeowners are driving the green building movement. Consumer demand for green homes has more builders and designers than ever before looking to create homes that are good for the environment and the occupants’ health.</span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">While many modern solutions to decades-old environmental concerns rely on leading edge technology, green-minded homeowners are finding a fit with a time-tested product that has been around for 4,000 years: ceramic tile. The ancient Egyptians used ceramic tile in their homes and pyramids. Like ancient civilizations, modern homeowners prize ceramic tile for its beauty, versatility and the prestige it lends their homes. But they are attracted by its environmental sensibility as well.</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><img src="../images/whitegoodB46_rgb.jpg" border="0" alt="Porcelanosa provides a gorgeous ‘better than the real thing’ wood-look-alike wall covering in larger format ceramic tile that is part of their whole Ecotech campaign and approach to sustainability." title="Porcelanosa provides a gorgeous ‘better than the real thing’ wood-look-alike wall covering in larger format ceramic tile that is part of their whole Ecotech campaign and approach to sustainability." width="200" height="259" /></div>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">If you’re considering ceramic tile for your home improvement or home building project, keep these points in mind:</p>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Improvements in grouting and installation systems now make tile one of the most hygienic building materials. Mold, mildew, fungus and bacteria cannot grow on ceramic tile, which is made of chemically inert materials.</p>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Ceramic tile’s durability, water resistance and "cleanability" made it ubiquitous in American homes for decades. Now, however, ceramics are finding their way into other spaces where healthful building materials are especially important, such as playrooms, nurseries and bedrooms.</p>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Because ceramic tile doesn’t harbor pet dander, dust or mold the way carpets or rugs do, it’s a good choice for people suffering from chronic breathing ailments, allergies and asthma. </p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><img src="../images/whitegoodB47_rgb.jpg" border="0" alt="Any room can be transformed into a warm and beautiful space especially with ceramic tile, not only is the space inviting but it is also eco-friendly. Roca illustrates this with its Rock & Rock series, the perfect specification for an interesting floor." title="Any room can be transformed into a warm and beautiful space especially with ceramic tile, not only is the space inviting but it is also eco-friendly. Roca illustrates this with its Rock & Rock series, the perfect specification for an interesting floor." width="300" height="200" /></div>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Naturally resistant to ultraviolet rays, ceramic tiles resist corrosion, acid and fire. It’s possible to find centuries old tile installations throughout European structures that look as good today as they did when they were first installed.</p>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Ceramic tile manufacturers have kept pace with current consumer tastes and demands for new technologies. Tile of Spain branded manufacturers have introduced brilliant new imagery technologies so homeowners can create traditional, rustic country, European country and transitional style spaces, as well as contemporary interiors.</p>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Today’s ceramic tile is not the staid, white "hospital style" tile you might remember from your grandmother’s kitchen or your grade school lavatory. Modern ceramics can have the texture of tumbled stone, honed limestone or even wood grains. Tile, however, is generally cheaper to install, wears better, is easier to clean and maintain, and has less environmental impact than many of the materials it now mimics in appearance.</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/3c.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/3c.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Products like Ecotech by Porcelanosa are designed not just to minimize environmental impact, but to improve the quality of life for a home’s occupants. Not only are the tiles produced using methods intended to minimize the environmental impact of the production process, they are designed to create a healthful atmosphere through comfort, cleanliness and visual appeal.</p>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">To learn more, visit www.spaintiles.info.</p>  <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">Courtesy of ARAcontent</span></p></span>