March 5, 2023

A Look at the Performance Characteristics Required for School Surfaces, the Latest Educational Design Trends, and Crossville Studios’ Go To Series School Edition Tile Collections.

While there is no perfect time to remodel or renovate an educational institution without disrupting studies to some degree, the time of year when fewer students are in class is a significant factor in timing a school renovation. Other factors for timing an educational facility renovation could include funding and contractor availability. Still, for most of the Northern hemisphere, summertime is typically “off-season” for many school categories, such as elementary, middle, and high schools, colleges, and universities.

With school renovations going strong in the summer, now is the time specifiers begin selecting surfacing for educational institutions' floors, walls, and countertops. What do specifiers look for when it comes to surfaces for educational facilities? Let’s look at the required performance characteristics for school surfacing as well as the latest trends in education design.

Required Performance Characteristics for School Surfaces — Walls, Floors, and Countertops

Swatches Wall Tile

Durability of Porcelain and Ceramic Tile Surfaces

Without a doubt, ceramic (and that includes porcelain) tiles are excellent choices for surfacing that must endure heavy traffic. Porcelain tile flooring is engineered to stand up to thousands of footsteps daily. The tile floors are effortless to maintain and will look great for the long term. For school walls, ceramic wall tiles and porcelain panels provide durability and lasting style, and porcelain countertops offer superior performance for many spaces, from classrooms and labs to restrooms and reception areas.

Cleanability & Hygienic Benefits of Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles

Swatches Wall Tile

In addition to superior durability, ceramic and porcelain tiles, panels, and countertops are easy to clean. With heightened interest in health and wellness, the ability to sanitize surfaces is a characteristic that surface specifiers for public spaces often look for. Porcelain tiles are impervious (waterproof), which means the water absorption rate is .05 percent or less. This low porousness makes porcelain tiles resistant to harmful bacteria and mold, as well as stain-resistant and easy to clean and disinfect. While water alone or a mild soap and water solution are enough to clean the tiles, these tough tiles can stand up to the CDC’s recommendation of a dilution of one cup of bleach to five gallons of water for sanitizing— a ratio of bleach to water that is safe for all types of porcelain and ceramic surfaces. (Learn more about cleaning tile surfaces here).

Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles Are Environmentally Friendly

Argent Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile

Porcelain tiles are inherently one of the most environmentally friendly options available for floors and walls. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are made of naturally occurring raw ingredients and contain no polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other plastic materials that contaminate the environment. Ceramic tiles are inert and can be recovered and recycled to be used again. Many of our ceramic and porcelain tile products also contain a portion of recycled tile, and for interior designers aiming for LEED credits, many Crossville Studios tile collections can contribute at least 6 credits in LEED V4.1
 

How Can Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles Enhance School Designs?

Argent Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile

The design and aesthetic of educational institutions are as important as ever — the visual and physical experience that an institution fosters is an integral part of the school experience. Current school design trends embrace value-added features that improve health, comfort, and academic outcomes.

School Design Emphasizes Natural Light and Fresh Air

Filo Porcelain Tile Panels

 

A year consists of 6000 waking hours, and students will spend about 1000 of those hours in a school building. These hours should be as healthy and productive as possible. Architects and designers want to help schools have healthier environments that are enjoyable and inspire academic success. Natural light and fresh air are two key elements in designing for overall well-being. In addition to bringing in as much natural light as possible through “daylighting” and creating outdoor learning spaces, indoor air quality is at the top of the list. Porcelain and ceramic tiles enhance indoor air quality because they are hypoallergenic, emit zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and are formaldehyde-free. Ceramic and porcelain tiles do not require sealants, wax, or coatings that may emit indoor air contaminants. Adhesives for ceramic tile with low VOC emissions are available for installing tile.

Natural Materials

Moonstruck Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile

When students can’t be outside, natural materials are an affordable way to bring the relaxing context of nature inside. Schools are finding value in sustainable elements that are healthy and low-maintenance, with an organic connection to the environment. Natural materials like ceramic tile bring a simple beauty that’s safe and responsible, hygienic, and easy to clean. Designers can use tile to make classrooms feel inviting and visually appealing, and it is a practical alternative to germ-trapping carpets.

Intentional Use of Color

Argent Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile

Color has always been a great way to brighten up a space. K-12, colleges, and universities are now using color more intentionally for wayfinding, safety guidelines, and visual social distancing aids.

Educational facility designers understand the power of color and how it can affect a student’s mood, attention span, and motivation to learn. Research has shown primary and bold colors promote playfulness and positivity — ideal for preschool and elementary school environments. On the other hand, calm, earthy colors are better for middle and high schools, as these colors promote concentration and relieve the feelings of anxiety that are common in this age group. Crossville Studios offers a plethora of tile collections in on-trend trend hues to help designers realize their design visions. Click here to see all the possibilities.

The Comforts of Home in Schools

Speak Easy Porcelain Wood-Look Tile

Comfortable, homelike design is a trend across many commercial segments, and the education segment is no exception. Students are more likely to feel motivated when they are surrounded by designs that inspire creativity and make them feel safe and comfortable. One simple way to create that homelike atmosphere is with wood-look tile flooring. These tiles provide the warmth and homelike feel of natural wood but in a flooring solution that is durable, easy to maintain, and easy to clean.

Crossville Studios Go To Series School Edition

If you’re getting ready to design or renovate an educational facility and you’re looking for safe, healthy, durable, and beautiful surface solutions, we invite you to explore our practical ceramic and porcelain tile options for floors, wall, and countertops. With the launch of our expanded Go To Series School Edition, we’re providing budget-priced solutions for educational projects of 5,000 square feet or more. We’ve highlighted several of these series here. See the full lineup of tile collections in the Go To Series School Edition Fact Sheet, and contact a Crossville Studios rep today to learn more.