Kamila Swiatecka, Tile Giant’s Marketing and Brand Manager, explores the benefits of antibacterial tiles, and why the trend is set to soar.
Awareness and knowledge around hygiene in the home and commercial settings has increased dramatically since early 2020 with the coronavirus epidemic accelerating the need for more solutions that keep harmful germs at bay.
Interior experts across the world are now taking a different approach when specifying tiles for projects, not only looking at style and durability, but antibacterial properties too. Glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles have always been a hygienic option as the surface is easy to clean and wipe down and doesn’t absorb any bacteria.
But now, manufacturers are starting to produce tiles where an extra layer of antibacterial protection is added during the firing process, creating surface coverings that are both antibacterial and antiviral.
These solutions are in demand more than ever before with the pandemic shining a light on bacteria and virus, placing the onus on consumers and designers to create spaces that are striking but hygienic too.
Will it become commonplace? Well, this antibacterial technology can be applied to all ceramic and porcelain tiles which is why we are now seeing it across more sizes and styles, including stone, marble, and even premium wood-effects. This additional process does add some extra time and cost, but it is proven to eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria from the surface of the tile, making the extra investment worthwhile.
Antibacterial tiles are proving particularly popular, especially in settings with young families and the elderly, where cleanliness is top priority.
With demand on the up, we can expect to see more designs, styles and sizes launch as extensions of antibacterial collections and with sales of existing antibacterial tiles also on the rise, it’s a huge area of growth for manufacturers across the world, and something that designers and tilers need to keep front of mind for upcoming projects.
For more information, please visit: www.tilegiant.co.uk
