Dense seam paving, a construction technology that solves the problem of "the gaps between ceramic tiles affecting the overall aesthetics of the space", has become popular because of its beautiful decorative effect. At the same time, it has not yet been widely used in the market because of its high cost. Currently, as some ceramic tile brands successively hold high the banner of "improving service levels" and launch their own service systems, the technology of close-joint paving is expected to "fly into the homes of ordinary people."
However, while many ceramic tile brands are vigorously promoting this technology, there is also a voice in the market that believes that dense joint paving is a marketing tool.
However, what is the truth?
Is dense seam paving a marketing gimmick? Lost bias
Some people in the decoration industry believe that the so-called dense joint paving is actually a marketing tool. In his opinion, this technology originated from the traditional paving process of small bricks in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2017, it was packaged by some so-called experts and transformed into the so-called "tight joint paving".
According to this industry insider, when many houses were renovated ten years ago, traditional cement and sand construction methods were generally used for floor tiles. At that time, for the sake of beauty and efficiency, the bricklayers would construct the bricks with tight joints on top of the loose cement sand cushion. It is reported that this traditional process can achieve ceramic tile gaps within 0.5mm.
However, this process also has many problems. For example, the ground will settle at certain locations, resulting in height differences in the gaps; on floors with floor heating, the ceramic tiles will arch due to temperature differences; the gaps in the tight joints are too small, and the caulking agent is difficult to apply. And it falls off easily and is more likely to harbor dirt and evil people and practices.
Today's close-seam paving technology is the result of thirty years of continuous improvement based on this process.
Based on this fact, some people in the industry believe that dense seam paving technology is a marketing tool for three reasons:
First, there are process issues. During the later use of ceramic tiles with tight joints, thermal expansion and contraction will produce stress, and they are prone to falling off, hollowing, warping, and arching.
Second, the product foundation is weak. The quality of most ceramic tiles currently on the market cannot meet the requirements for ceramic tiles for tight joint paving.
Third, it is cost-effective and replaceable. The cost of close-seam paving technology remains high, and there is not only one way to solve the problem of "tile gaps affecting the overall aesthetics of the space".
Such a view may seem reasonable at first glance, but it is actually biased. From the third point, as an alternative method, filling the gaps between ceramic tiles with caulking agent can also solve the problem of "the gaps between ceramic tiles affecting the overall aesthetics of the space", and it is more cost-effective and more acceptable to consumers. However, in fact, the caulking agent only makes up for this defect from the side. It cannot completely eliminate this defect like dense seam paving. This is where the difference between the two lies. Furthermore, the biggest function of tight joint paving is to make the ceramic tiles achieve the aesthetic effect of stone, which is also beyond the reach of filling the gaps in ceramic tiles with seam sealant.
Of course, the method of filling gaps in ceramic tiles with caulking agent is not without its merits. As mentioned above, it is also a good choice when the cost of paving close joints is very high, especially For the general public.
Then the question is, why is the cost of sealing seams so high? When will it come down?
High cost = high standard
Why is dense seam paving the flower of Gaoling?
In the early stages of development of new things, the cost will inevitably remain high and it will be difficult for the general public to accept them, and dense joint paving is no exception. What's more, the high standards put forward by ceramic tile brands that promote close-seam paving to effectively solve the problem have increased the cost of close-seam paving.
From a product basis, tight joint paving has very high requirements for the quality of ceramic tiles. Under normal circumstances, the flatness error of ceramic tiles used for dense joint paving should be within 0.5mm, the water absorption rate should be less than 0.03%, and the thermal expansion coefficient should be in the range of 6.8*10-6 to 7.0*10-6℃-1 Inside.
In terms of process flow, the process standards for dense joint paving are strict and complicated: product quality, construction materials, paving base layer, paving process and technology, etc. all have very high standards, and As long as one of these links fails to meet the standards, the final effect of the ceramic tiles will be greatly reduced.
In terms of construction, the number of master masons who can do close joint paving is small, and the number of master masons who are willing to do close joint paving is even smaller.
In terms of auxiliary materials, the adhesive between the ceramic tiles and the base surface not only has high strength, but also has low thermal expansion coefficient and shrinkage rate; it also needs to use flexible mortar with good elasticity and flexibility, cover the tiles with suction cups, and level them with The use of auxiliary materials and tools such as levelers increases the possibility of laying ceramic tiles with tight joints.
Based on all factors, it can be seen that the realization of close seam paving technology must also have "excellent product quality"."Quality", "strict quality management", "advanced construction technology", "perfect after-sales service" and other conditions. It is understood that Jian Yi, who mainly promotes dense joint paving, put forward the idea and goals of dense joint paving in 2009. By September 2018, it took nearly ten years to officially promote the implementation of tight seam paving in all authorized stores across the country. During these 10 years, in order to achieve tight seam paving, Jianyi improved product quality and reduced product errors. ; Adopt strict construction standard processes to minimize the emptying rate; continuously develop new processes to avoid thermal expansion and contraction problems; provide a 3-year warranty service to solve consumers' worries.
It is precisely because of these strict process standards and the small number of master masons who can and are willing to do close joint paving that the cost of close joint paving remains high.
Dense seam paving may welcome the dawn and enter thousands of households
Compared with traditional seam paving, dense seam paving can truly improve the decorative effect. If combined with the continuous tile products launched by various ceramic tile brands in recent years, the aesthetic effect can be even better. floors. For this reason, many ceramic tile brands have chosen to bet on close-seam paving. For example, the leading marble tile brand Jianyi, which has always been the main promoter of close-seam paving, has always insisted on upgrading the close-seam paving technology.
In September 2018, Jianyi promoted 0.5 mm dense seam paving services in authorized stores across the country, including products, processing, paving, operation systems, etc.; in November 2019, it launched the upgraded version of dense seam paving 2.0; 2021 On April 28, 2018, the scientific and technological achievements of "Key Technology and Industrialization and Application Research of Marble Ceramic Tile Close Seam Paving" launched were recognized as high-end level. Jianyi's "finished product delivery" after-sales service system with tight seam paving as the core has become a benchmark in the industry.
In addition to Jianyi’s continuous publicity and promotion of close joint paving, since last year, other ceramic tile brands’ close joint paving services have also been launched online.
In 2021, Oceano launched a new service system-A+ space delivery based on high-quality dense seam ceramic tiles and self-developed 0.35mm continuous seam joint technology.
In April 2021, Melco Marble Ceramics introduced the international European standard micro-seam paving process service, standardized the standard process paving of rock slabs and marble tiles, and achieved 0.5 mm micro-seam construction and paving.
2021 GuangdongAt the State Construction Expo, Dajiulu, which has successfully created "super wear-resistant IP", launched a "king-fried combination" in a high-profile way: dense seams + continuous marble slabs + super wear-resistant 2nd generation; the seams are even denser to 0.3 mm, and at the same time, it is matched with The newly launched 800×2600mm specification.
On August 20, Golden Stone also held a press conference focusing on the three-in-one new product of "tight seams\continuous patterns\super wear-resistant".
On October 19, 2021, Cinjing Home Furnishing broke through the 0.5mm international European standard tight seam paving process, advancing 0.5mm to the 0.35mm micron level.
Each ceramic tile brand makes efforts to pave close joints, launches its own terminal service system, and trains its own paving masters, which will inevitably solve the market problem of "master masons are unwilling to do it and the terminal price is high" for dense joint paving. Under such a trend, dense seam paving is expected to "fly into the homes of ordinary people."
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As each ceramic tile brand launches its own service system for dense joint paving, it can be foreseen that in the future, whether to leave joints in ceramic tiles will not be a multiple-choice question, and patients with difficulty in choosing will no longer be forced to death. Finally, I can look forward to it.
