When you think about ceramics you may think of clay that is fired in a kiln to make very attractive dinnerware, cups or decorative art pieces. Although this is one way that ceramics are used, there are several other ways in which they are used in everyday situations.
When you think of clay as a material you can probably think of hundreds of uses for it and some may be ones that have never been tried before. The construction trade uses some form of ceramics on a daily basis to build with and to accent certain areas.
Ceramics in Construction Companies
Generally speaking you will see ceramics and glass used together for a variety of things. For instance, you are used to seeing glass used for all the windows but glass fibers are also used to make insulation or ceiling panels. Along with glass, you will see ceramics used as floors and walls. You will also see decorative pieces used in fireplaces and countertops. Many of the newer homes also choose specific ceramic tile to add color to certain rooms.
In many industrial bathrooms you will find ceramic sinks and toilets because they are sturdier and can take more abuse than some other materials. There are many uses of ceramics inside a home or building that you may not see with the naked eye.
There are many areas of the world where hurricanes or other natural disasters have prompted people to make homes out of clay bricks. This is very important because they can withstand the strength of these winds. When you think about bricks, you might recall the children's story of "The Three Little Pigs." When the Wolf came to blow the houses down, they were safest in the house of bricks.
That wasn't just a story actually, because there have been studies done by the Brick Industry Association that verifies the fact that bricks can withstand high winds and debris that may be blowing around in an area from a natural disaster. In fact, they do better than homes built of vinyl or other materials.
Energy Saving Ceramics in Construction
Another place where ceramics have been used with much benefit in construction is in the environment. There is a new technology that was developed called suspended particle device (SPD) technology that is patented and it was developed by a company called Research Frontiers Incorporated. The purpose of this technology is to allow consumers to control light. They are able to control the amount of light that comes into their home or office space. You may also hear these referred to as "SPDs" or "light valves."
Clay tiles are also being used as roofing material because studies have shone that it is able to reduce heat by about 50% more than the traditional asphalt tiles. This means that it has a better reflection and ventilation capacity than other traditional materials. Ceramics can also be used as a powder and in some situations like coatings and different types of devices used for other industries.
Another aspect of construction that we may not think about is the final touches that someone makes to their house or office. There are pieces that are picked for their artistic value that some artists specialize into add a personal touch to the construction project. When looking at this type of project, you might see a pedestal sink in a home or something as small as a backsplash on a kitchen counter. These are things that may be put in as a final touch to make sure that the entire area is aesthetically pleasing. You may also see a Gazebo in a backyard that is made out of different ceramics to add a bit of elegance to the yard.
When you think of construction projects you may have a better understanding now of all the different ways that ceramics can be used.
