23.03.22

The Sensi collection is certified with the Singapore Green Building Product (SGBP) mark.

Tiles are not just pretty coverings for your bare walls and floors. These surface materials add value to your space in many more ways. Did you know they’re kind to the planet, good for your health, and can even create a cooling effect in your home? Explore the myriad benefits tiles can bring, below!

Tiles are friendly to the environment

Consider tiles such as these with tactile designs from Panaria Via Maestra for your feature walls.

A durable material is more sustainable than one that is not, and good quality porcelain stoneware tiles are some of the most hardwearing materials you can have in your home. Get the best quality tiles you can afford to ensure surfaces stand up to tear and wear. Substitute natural materials with tiles that closely replicate the look, and feel of timber, marble, stone, and textile, and earn extra brownie points for the planet!

European tile brands have long adhered to strict environmental guidelines for their manufacturing and packaging processes. You can find many of these brands at RICE, such as Panaria and Ergon which have also been certified with Singapore’s own green labels. These include certifications from the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) managed by the Singapore Environment Council, and Singapore Green Building Product (SGBP) administered by the Singapore Green Building Council. Find these ‘green’ tile collections on the Materials page of the RICE website, by using the Singapore Green Labels filter.

Tiles are good for your health

Panaria has Microban technology integrated into their Panaria PROTECT tiles to eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria on the surface. Pictured are tiles from the Panaria Borealis timber-inspired collection. 

CleanOut by Ragno is the new antimicrobial technology for ceramic floors and walls from the brand. Pictured are tiles from the Ragno Eterna stone-inspired collection.

The built-in antimicrobial technology of Emilgroup Shield actively reduces up to 99.9% of bacterial growth on ceramic surfaces. Pictured are tiles from the timber-inspired Emilceramica Mimesis collection.

We’re spending more time indoors, so it’s great news that tiles have been enhanced to include anti-bacterial qualities to give us constantly clean and germ-free spaces. For some of the tile industry’s leaders in manufacturing, Panaria, Ragno and Emilgroup. this anti-bacterial quality is integrated into the body of the tile and works 24/7 and in perpetuity to suppress the growth and reproduction of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, mould and fungi up to 99.9%. The prevention of bacterial growth also neutralises unpleasant odours. Look out for tiles tagged with Panaria PROTECT, Ragno CleanOut Antibacterial Protection and Emilgroup Shield.

Tiles improve indoor air quality 

Tiles are non-pollutive materials that do not emit nasty volatile organic compounds that can cause illness. Pictured are tiles from the timber-inspired Emilceramica Mimesis collection.

Extensive studies have shown that the air quality in homes or buildings could be significantly worse than that of the outdoors. There are many sources of indoor air pollution from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by building materials and furnishings, cleaning products, and heating and cooking systems, in a process known as offgassing. The cumulative effects of being exposed to VOCs for long periods of time spent indoors could have a far more damaging effect on our health than that of outdoor pollution. The Tile Council of North America reports that tiles, being made of clay and other natural materials, are free from harmful VOCs, formaldehyde and PVC resin, elements which are sometimes associated with other flooring materials. 

Porcelain tile is also ideal for those with allergies or asthma as it contains no allergens, and the hard surface’s lack of porosity means the material cannot be penetrated by pollen, dust or dirt. Tiles are fired at extremely high temperatures when manufactured which makes them non-flammable, and as such, they do not produce smoke in a fire.

Tiles are cool to the touch

The insulating properties of tiles help them remain cool even in warm weather. Pictured are tiles from the stone-inspired Panaria Via Maestra collection.

The materiality of porcelain or ceramic tiles makes them natural insulators, meaning they do not retain heat nor transfer heat. This is evident in the ‘cooling’ effect one feels when you step on a tiled floor with bare feet or run your hands across a smooth ceramic surface. In our warm tropical weather, this quality is much desired as it is a natural way to help keep interiors cool without the use of electrical cooling systems. Using tiles could help reduce your energy bills too!

Visits to riceLAB are strictly by appointment only and limited to four people per group. We encourage guests to make their tile selections online at www.rice-fields.com before coming down to minimise their time spent at riceLAB. Make an appointment by emailing us here or by calling 6692 1199. riceLAB is at 213 Henderson Road 01.03 Singapore 159553. RICE is open from Mondays to Saturdays from 9am to 6pm.

Get the European tiles you love at great prices! Browse the Tile Me You Love RICE range on our website in the Materials tab, using the filter Tell Me You Love RICE.

Keywords 
anti-bacterial, eco-friendly, green label, timber-inspired, stone-inspired, Sensi, Panaria Via Maestra, Panaria Borealis, Ragno Eterna, Emilceramica Mimesis, Singapore Green Label