Benefits Of Athangudi Tiles
FLOORING MATERIALS AND THEIR IMPACT ON OUR BODY
On average humans walk a distance of roughly 7000 to 7500 feet per day which is a whopping 1,10,000 miles or 1,77,028 km within our lifetime and evidently half of that time is spent in your home.
Why is this fact necessary?
At any point in time, while standing, walking, we are always in physical contact with the ground through our feet. Thus the part of our body directly affected by external contact is our feet. Most of the natural heat exchange from our body to the environment happens between the land and the feet. The blood vessels and nerve endings on our feet are extremely sensitive and dilapidation occurs depending on the floor temperature.
Is body heat significant for good health?
Yes, we are warm-blooded beings and all parts of our body operate at the optimum condition at the right body temperature. Exposing ourselves to a constant change in body temperature due to external factors leads to health issues. Most of the generic natural and artificial flooring choices have issues that negatively impact our health. Thus arises the need to walk on floors that are adaptable to weather conditions and that do not disturb our body temperature.
The luxurious Marble and Granite
The natural stone floors which are very popular and commonly used in India are Granite and Marble. Granite and marble are considered the safer options as they are naturally occurring stones. Shockingly they are not as safe as we expect our lovely homes to be.
Why are Granite and Marble bad for health?
Granite stones are formed many years ago due to volcanic activity beneath the earth’s crust. During their lifetime, these stones emit toxic beta, gamma radiation that can be harmful to our health. During our time at home, we might unknowingly breathe in the radioactive emissions that can cause even lung cancer and other health problems. This is why in most areas with little to no ventilation granite is not used.
Marble and granite are cold which is not a problem in hot tropical areas but in other regions, the surface gets cold and painful to walk on. Last but not least, these flooring materials have very low grip strength and become very slippery to walk on which may also cause ankle, sole pain, knee pain, even lead to early arthritis, and are very problematic for older age people. That is why doctors advise against walking on marble and granite floorings barefoot.
Are ceramic or vitrified tiles the better choice?
No. The ceramic/vitrified tiles are said to be a cheaper and readymade alternative but are hard, unyielding, and have a cold surface to walk on. Also as per recent surveys, the most common reason for joint stress and pains is walking barefoot on these tiles. These tiles also are very slippery and during winter, it becomes too cold to walk on bare feet. Due to these reasons, people are advised by doctors to always use indoor slippers.
Does this mean all flooring options are harmful? What are the healthier alternatives?
Generally, walking barefoot on cement or concrete flooring has zero problems for health. If we prefer health over beauty we should go for it. The better options both aesthetically, physically, and economically are our very own Chettinadu Athangudi Tiles.
Benefits of Athangudi Tiles
If there is a healthy, sustainable, durable, aesthetically pleasing, fully handmade and environment-friendly flooring option, It is the Athangudi tiles. It is traditionally used in Chettinad palaces for many centuries and has stood the testament of time and shines with beautiful colours even today.
These tiles come in an endless number of patterns and colours and also we can customize our own ideas into designs. Imagination and innovation can bring new decor fashions that are unique and characteristic. They come in sizes mostly of 6x6, 8x8 and 10x10 inches and border tiles that are half the width of the normal tiles.
This tile maintains an optimum temperature during any season that never affects our body temperature. It always gives a smooth surface with a glossy sheen to it that has adequate grip strength. These tiles are made fully by hand and 100% sustainable. The colour oxides used in these tiles are naturally occurring and are harmless to our health. These tiles are made of cement and hence are very durable and long-lasting.
Athangudi tiles have a unique self-healing property due to which it retains sheen after many years. Just add a few drops of coconut oil to your bucket of water whilst cleaning. The oxides that are reactive in nature, absorb the oil and any scratches will slowly heal and become polished with time.