Tiles in Nepal are more than just a construction material, they are the reflection of our culture, history, and evolving lifestyle in Nepal. If you allow it, you can see them as evidence of the evolving lifestyle of Nepali people in recent years. Let me tell you how.
The ancestor of tiles “Terracotta” dates back to the Malla Period. Mostly used for roofing, flooring, and decorative purposes. We can see traces of them mostly in heritage sites like Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Basantapur, and Patan Durbar Square.
Fast forward to recent times, modern tiles have taken up the market with advanced durability and also aesthetic look. Tiles like Ceramic, Porcelain, Vitrified, Marble, and Granite are some of the most used and demanded around this country.
Along with materials, the designs are also an important factor in the rising demand for modern tiles in Nepal. With digital printing technology, you can now engrave whatever designs you like on the tiles.
Let’s look at the types of tiles that are available in Nepal and for what type of structure they are best at
Types of tiles found in Nepal
| Ceramic Tiles | Popular for their affordability and versatility. Suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, floors, and living areas. Porcelain Tiles |
| Porcelain Tiles | Porcelain tiles are much denser and more durable than ceramic tiles. They are ideal for both indoor and outdoor areas of any building. |
| Marble Tiles | Mainly used for luxurious designs, especially for hotels, staircases, floors, and bathrooms. |
| Glass Tiles | Glass Tiles are often used for shower walls. Their reflective qualities make them ideal for creating bright, modern interiors. |
| Granite Tiles | Granite Tiles are commonly used for kitchen countertops, and floors |
| Concrete Tiles | Concrete Tiles are mostly used outdoors. Considering they are made from concrete and with their textures, they can handle heavy use like foot traffic (walking people) |
| Quarry Tiles | Quarry Tiles are ideal for commercial kitchens and other crowded areas. Their durability and slip resistance make them suitable for industrial and heavy-duty applications. |
| Natural Stone Tiles | Granite Tiles are commonly used for kitchen countertops and floors |
Rising demand for tiles in Nepal has also brought forth some of the well-known brands like Kajaria, and Somany. With these companies, brands like Prime Ceramics, and Nepovit have also risen to competition.
But what are the companies that you have to keep an eye on when buying tiles? Let’s look at them.
Top companies to keep an eye on when buying tiles in Nepal
| Companies | Prices (range) |
| Kajaria Tiles | Rs. 170 per sq.ft |
| Nepal Ceramics Industries Pvt. Ltd. (Nepovit) | |
| Prime Ceramics | |
| Lumbini Ceramics Limited | |
| Somany Tiles | Rs. 160 per sq. ft |
Credit: SkillSewa
You have to know that each brand offers a unique array of products ranging from ceramic to porcelain tiles, catering to both residential and commercial projects.
Visit the official website or their local branch to learn about their tiles in detail.
Application Areas for Tiles
Residential Applications
Flooring and Wall Coverings
In the context of Nepal, Tiles are very popular for floorings and wall coverings. Especially, for Residential Applications, floors, and Wall covers are decorated with designed tiles to make them look attractive and protect the walls and floors from future damage.
Bathrooms and Kitchens
Another popular and most frequent approach in households in Nepal is to cover the bathroom and kitchens with tiles. Bathrooms and Kitchens are water-prone areas, so using tiles can be beneficial. Using tiles like Ceramic and Porcelain would be a wise choice for these areas.
Roofings and External Finishes
In traditional as well as modern constructions, tiles for roofing offer both durability and an appealing look that complements various architectural styles.
Commercial Applications
Office buildings, hotels, and other retail spaces
These types of buildings often feature some of the most high-quality tiles to create a modern and sophisticated ambiance. Tiles like Natural Stone tiles are specially chosen for more public places like Hotels because of their longevity, ease of cleaning, and ability to handle the high number of foot traffic (walking people).
Public Institutions
Public Institutions like Schools, Hospitals, and governmental offices in Nepal use tiles for both floors and walls. There can be various choices of tiles for these types of applications like schools and their classrooms use Ceramic Tiles for their cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance, and Vitrified Tiles are used in commercial and public spaces due to their strength and water resistance.
Industrial and Outdoor Applications
Pavement, Walkways, and Heavy-duty Areas
These types of areas use Industrial-grade porcelain or Quarry Tiles as they have very high resistance to wear and ability to handle heavy loads. The material of the chosen tiles is designed in such a way that it will withstand such loads, but the cost can be expensive due to the nature of the build and applications they are required for.
Decorative Applications
The most attractive feature of the tiles, especially in Nepal is for their design purposes. Although their other features are commendable, tiles with designs will offer you a different approach to your structure.
Designs like Mosaic are used for creating attractive looks and provide a modern approach to the household or wherever it is being used.
Furthermore, In Nepal tiles are being used for renovation purposes, especially for older buildings with cultural heritages. In this situation, tiles can be there to offer more sturdiness without leaving out any designs that represent the heritage.
Conclusion
To summarize, the tiles in Nepal have been playing a vital role in the renovation and reconstruction of the country whilst preserving its cultural significance. Across a broad spectrum of areas like residential flooring, walls, kitchens, and bathrooms tiles.
Commercial and Institutional buildings used them for longevity and a modern approach. Industries and Outdoor places install tiles in pavements, walkways, and other heavy-duty areas. Another major use of these tiles is for decorative purposes and renovations.
Overall, the usage of Tiles is broad and it is increasing day by day. It won’t be a wrong thing to say that Tiles in Nepal are one of the most important elements for any construction. But if you’re looking for a proper tile suitable for your structure, make sure to analyze the actual purpose of the tiles you’re looking for and choose accordingly.