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A clean approach

Nowhere is the need for texture, color and value so evident as in the healthcare industry. It’s more than medicine that heals. A patient’s environment plays an important part of shaping their attitude and will. Faced with strict air quality and cleanability standards since sterile conditions must be easily maintained, designers sometimes can find their choices restricted in their drive to create a healing atmosphere.

Such was the case with the new oncology clinic in Poland.

 

Glazed porcelain tile. Courtesy Marazzi Tile.

The architect was aware that patients and their families are in the facility during one of the most difficult times in their lives and wanted to make it as vigorous and encouraging as possible.

In order to energize the facility while providing durability, the architect selected glazed ceramic tile. The colorful tiles are laid in an intricate celestial design that creates visual interest plus offers the unique properties of allergen-free wear and cleanability.

Not all ceramic tile is created equal though. Over the last several years there have been advances in firing and glazing techniques, resulting in different types for different uses from institutional grades to luxurious tiles for the most exclusive applications. According to Andrea Cacciari, Vice President, Distributor Sales and Marazzi Tecnica, American Marazzi Tile, Sunnyvale, Texas, advances include:

• dry glaze application methods that vastly enhance the aesthetic variations in tile
• development of silkscreen applications for glazing tile
• origination of abrasive tile to reduce slip-fall accidents and make safer environments
• rotocolor application of glaze to produce intricate, ever-varied patterns
• development of through-body porcelains in which color and pattern of the tile surface extends through the entire body of the tile

The advancement used to create the tile in this clinic resulted in a material that is completely inert. The tile is glazed while still in the kiln, where it fully adheres to the body, creating a dense, homogeneous layer of glaze that is virtually non-porous. This is important in creating a sanitary environment because pore-free surfaces virtually eliminate staining and the retention of bacteria. And for the maintenance staff, cleaning requires only water and commonly available soapless detergent.

“Generally, it is a healthcare environment that requires ease of maintenance, durability, chemical and mold resistance and allergen-free materials,” says Cacciari. “Ceramic tile eliminates concerns about out-gassing, allergens, bacterial growth and repeated maintenance cycles of stripping and refinishing.”

Overall, hard surface flooring is preferred over other types of flooring such as carpeted surfaces for sanitary environments due to faster cleaning and drying times. In addition, advanced grip finishes eliminate the concerns for slip-and-fall injuries. An added bonus, a recent study evaluating a 50-year life cycle cost put ceramic floor tile, mortar set, at just $13.56 per square foot. This compared to carpet tile at $99.62 per square foot.