TILES

Tiles are thin slabs used for covering roofs, for flooring or for making
drains and may be formed of
a. Brick earth burnt in kilns b. concrete
Brick-earth used for manufacturing brick tiles is more pure and is
prepared more thoroughly than the one used for manufacturing bricks.
Tiles being thinner require careful burning.
The most popular sizes are:
Tiles are manufactured in different sizes in Pakistan. The most popular
sizes are:
(1)12 x 6 x 1 1
4
(2) 12 x 6 x 2
(3) 9 x 4 1 x 2
2
Classification of tiles:
Tiles are classified into groups on the basis of construction material.
A. Material basis
(i) Common tiles: Common tiles may be used for roofing. Flooring
and walling also. Common tiles are pan tiles, pot tiles and flat tiles
(ii)

Encaustic tiles: These tiles are prepared by mixing

colors with the clay before burning. These are used
for decorative purposes.
B. Depending upon their Use
(1)
Roofing Tiles: These may be flat like slates or may
be made to different shapes. Some of the common
varieties are discussed below.

(a)

Plain Tiles: The size of these tiles is 25 cm x 15 cm to 28 cm x

18 cm and thickness varies from 10 mm to 17 mm.
(b)
Pot Tiles: These are semi circular in section and
taper along the length. The diameter at larger end is
about 23 cm and at the smaller end it is about 20
cm.
(c) Allahabad Tiles: These consist of two sets of tiles. The
lower ones are flat tiles with upturned sides. End
widths reduce from 27 cm to 23 cm and the length is
about 38 cm. The over tile is half round in section
and tapers from 16.5 cm to 12 cm in diameter. Half
round tiles are moulded on a potters wheel as a
round tapering cylindrical tile. Two longitudinal cuts
are given to the cylinder while still not dry. With this
it is easy to break it into two semicircular tiles after
burning.
(d)
Mangalore Tiles: These are flat pattern tiles with suitable
key projection. About 16 tiles are required to cover one square
meter of roof.
(e) Concrete Roofing Tiles: Tiles of any shape, size or colour
could be made with cement concrete. These are more strong,
durable and weather resistant.
(2) Flooring/Paving Tiles: These are usually thicker than
roofing tiles and vary from 15 mm to 30 mm in thickness.
Their shapes are square, hexagonal or any of other
geometrical pattern and may be colored, if desired.
Depending upon properties of clay flooring tiles are classified as: class
1, class 2, class 3 tiles. Maximum water absorption percentages in case
of these tiles are 10, 19 and 24 respectively

(3) Drain Tiles: These are curved tiles made in various

shapes and sizes to suit the work in which they are to be
used. Tiles to be used in the construction of sewage
carrying drains should be glazed.
MANUFACTURING OF TILES
Six main operations are involved in the manufacturing of tiles:
1. Selection of suitable clay
2. Preparation of clay
3. Moulding
4. Drying and Shaping
5. Burning
6. Cooling
(1) Selection of suitable clay:
For manufacturing of tiles, we require superior type of clay. The clay
should be completely free from grit, pebbles and other organic matter.
(2) Preparation of clay:
This is done by mixing water with clay in a tank and storing it in
damp condition. The solution is then allowed to stand quietly in the tank
resulting in the setting and leaving of coarse particles. Water containing
fine clay in solution is rained off to other tanks where it is allowed to dry
leaving fine clay ready for moulding.
(3) Moulding:
Moulding operation is done on the ground specially prepared for that
purpose. All the instruments which are used in the moulding should be
present.
The moulder sprinkles ashes over the clay and start to mould according
to the required size of tiles on the smooth and leveled surface, when the
number of 10 to 15 tiles are prepared they are taken for drying and
shaping.
(4) Drying and Shaping:

Two days after moulding, the tiles are given proper shape and then they
are placed on their edges and dried for about two days. One thing should
be kept in mind that we take care to crack and wrap and they should be
dried slowly.
(5) Burning:
Tiles are burnt in a kiln which is in circular shape. Tiles are kept on their
edges and doorways are closed with bricks. The maximum temperature
of tiles should be 2200degreeF for about three hours. This process is
repeated for second time.
The kiln is isolated after it has cooled down. The kiln should be
protected against bad weather specially on the wind side by temporary
roofing.
(6) Cooling:
After burning, cooling is done for 3 to 5 days.