What is the performance of ceramic tiles exposed to frost ?
Frost damage affects the materials exposed to water in areas where the temperature is liable to fall below zero. Water can penetrate tiles – and therefore a tiled surface – through their pores. If the temperature falls below zero, the water freezes and becomes ice. As every schoolchild knows, ice occupies a greater volume than liquid water, so tensions are created inside the pores. These tensions may become so high that portions of the tiles break off. Frost resistance of tiles can be measured in accordance with current standards. Some kinds of tiles are frost resistant whereas others are not. When designing an external floor or wall covering in a location susceptible to cold winters, it is obviously essential to choose frost resistant tiles.However, the choice of frost resistant tiles is not in itself sufficient to guarantee protection of a tiled surface against frost damage. It is also important to use suitable materials for the bedding layer and the grout joints, to choose a suitabl
