Liquid tiles – interactive flooring in your home

Recommendation points

• Interactive surface – a design element or a complete floor covering
• What explains the magical transformations of liquid tiles
• Pros and cons of live tiles
• Liquid tiles in the interior – where to apply and how to install
• Non-standard use of interactive floor

Today we will tell you about an innovative floor covering that has recently appeared on the construction market – the so-called living tile. What is such an interactive surface made of, is it really “alive”, how it can be applied in the design of an apartment or house – you will learn from our article.

Interactive surface – a design element or a complete floor covering

One of the latest original design innovations is liquid tile, an unusual variation on flooring. The novelty is so different from the static ceramic classics that it has already received additional names – an interactive surface and a living floor.

If we take into account the well-known postulate that motion is life, then yes – a liquid tile can really be considered “alive”. The drawing of an interactive coating under pressure begins to change, transform, disperse in waves.

It is not surprising that such an original detail is most in demand in the interiors of entertainment facilities – cafes, bars and discos, children’s rooms in shopping centers. Unworn design deservedly attracts the attention of visitors of all ages.

What explains the magical transformations of liquid tiles

Live tiles are made according to the principle of a complex sandwich:

1. Polycarbonate base layer.
2. Shock absorbing backing.
3. Reflector.
4. Gel filler.
5. Plastic lens.
6. Polycarbonate protective layer.

The polycarbonate used for the production of liquid floors is somewhat different from the usual honeycomb material for covering greenhouses and gazebos. It uses two plates of monolithic polycarbonate – the most durable polymer at the moment.

The top and bottom plates are sealed together using fusion technology. Along the inner perimeter of each tile, there must be an expansion groove where excess gel falls. This design guarantees no leakage even under heavy load.

A special colored gel acts as a “magician” organizing the transformation of the surface. Often, fillers of several colors are adjacent, without mixing with each other, thanks to special lenses. Under pressure, the gel layers spread in different directions, creating the effect of movement.

Thanks to the cushioning layer and the gel filler, the surface of the living tile is very soft and warm to the touch. It is pleasant to walk on it with bare feet, so the liquid floor is often laid in bathrooms, bedrooms and children’s rooms. However, a full-fledged floor covering from interactive tiles will not work – during installation, trimming to the size of the room is inevitable, and leakage leads to leakage of the gel. And the cost of the novelty is still available to few, so standard carpet, parquet or laminate is “diluted” with living tiles.

Pros and cons of live tiles

Living tiles can be used to lay out individual areas of the room, combining it with other floor coverings. When laying, it is important to take into account the compatibility of materials for some of the parameters listed in the table below:

	Live tile	Laminate	Carpet	Ceramic tile
Strength and shock resistance	High. You can walk in heels	Increased strength starting from wear class 33	There are traces and dents from furniture, heels	High
Anti-slip surface	Anti-slip textured top layer	Some species are quite slippery	Absolutely non-slip	Slippery, with the exception of expensive varieties with additional “notches”
Moisture resistance	Excellent, can be used in bathrooms and swimming pools	Cannot be used in rooms with high humidity	Cannot be used in rooms with high humidity	Moisture resistant
Sustainability	Completely safe	Manufactured using adhesives and varnishes	Environmentally friendly	Environmentally friendly
Hypoallergenic	No allergens	Allergy to chemicals may occur	Builds up dust, which is the most common allergen	Hypoallergenic
Surface “to the touch”	Warm	Warm	Warm	Cold
Care	Can be washed with water	Wet cleaning is not recommended	Must be cleaned with a washing vacuum cleaner, stains are difficult to remove	Can be washed using chemical detergents
Soundproofing	High sound and vibration isolation properties	High	Average	Average
UV resistance	At least 5-8 years without burnout	Resilient	Depends on original color, not recommended to be exposed to direct sunlight	Stable
Mounting	Temporary and permanent styling possible	Cannot be laid on floors with large drops	Easy to install	Requires professional skills
Flammability	Incombustible	Combustible	Combustible	Incombustible

As you can see from the table, living tiles, in addition to their spectacular appearance, have a number of other indisputable advantages. However, negative aspects cannot be ignored:

• liquid tiles cannot be cut or damaged;
• more than half of the surface must not be subjected to simultaneous pressure – this can lead to leakage, since the gel simply has nowhere to go;
• you cannot use the tile at temperatures above +60 and below 0 degrees;
• liquid tiles are one of the most expensive floor coverings.

Liquid tiles in the interior – where to apply and how to install

The mobility of living tiles alone can become a highlight of any interior, however, the designers-developers went further, using not only the play of colors, but also various substrates for the gel component:

• white to enhance contrast;
• transparent to create an airy effect;
• translucent is most often combined with backlighting;
• color provides an optimal combination of tones and shades;
• 3D film backing enhances the motion effect.

As an additional decor, glitter, phosphor stars and other components can be added to the gel..

Liquid tile is also different in that it makes it possible to create temporary interior decor. For temporary fixation, ordinary double-sided masking tape can be used – small pieces are glued along the perimeter of the tile, and removed during dismantling.

The technology of laying on a permanent basis is quite simple and does not require special skills. Installation is carried out in several stages:

1. Preparation of the base. When laying liquid tiles, it is important to pay attention to two parameters – a solid surface and the absence of differences in height and slope. Any, even the slightest bias, will disturb the uniformity of color distribution and reduce the effect of the tile..

2. Surface priming – to enhance adhesion with adhesives.

3. Laying tiles. Manufacturers recommend using ready-made mixtures for PVC coatings for laying, strictly following the instructions.

For laying liquid tiles on a large area, metal profiles can be used – this technology will allow you to mount and dismantle tiles many times:

• The U-shaped profile is laid along the perimeter, tiles are attached to its groove;
• H-shaped profile is used for joining two tiles.

The joints in the tiles, if necessary, are sealed with a neutral silicone sealant, professionals can also use the PVC cord welding method (used in rooms with increased requirements).

It is not recommended to install liquid tiles in direct sunlight – strong heat can lead to expansion and deformation. If sun exposure is unavoidable, you need to leave small gaps around the perimeter of each tile to compress and expand the plastic.

Tiles can only be stored horizontally, on perfectly flat surfaces.

Non-standard use of interactive floor

Although the liquid tile was developed exclusively as a floor covering, the designers happily jumped on the new idea and began to use it for non-standard interior decoration..

In principle, any surface can be decorated with live tiles, you just need to comply with a few conditions:

1. The surface should be horizontal – on a surface with a slope, and even more so on a vertical one, the gel will simply slide to one side;
2. The surface must be exposed to pressure – otherwise the interactive tile will not be able to show its effect;
3. The surface should not heat up above 60 degrees – it is at this temperature that the tile begins to melt;
4. The surface should not be subjected to mechanical stress – any cut or deformation can damage the top layer of the tile and leak the gel.

Most often, live tiles are used in the decor of countertops, window sills, and bar counters. As a floor covering, it fits perfectly into unusual bathroom interiors, adds fun to children’s rooms and draws attention to itself in the living room..