---
title: "Tiles and Ceramics - GWP and renovation use"
canonical_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/klinker
markdown_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/klinker.md
author: "Fremtidens Tegnestue"
page_type: material
primary_intent: "Explain use, GWP and renovation relevance for Tiles and Ceramics."
primary_keyword: "Tiles and Ceramics"
audience: "Homeowners, studios and agents researching material choices."
summary: "Tiles are ceramic pieces fired at high temperatures. Used for floors, facades, bathroom walls, and terraces. Very durable and maintenance-free, but production requires high temperatures and results in a moderate carbon footprint."
source_basis:
  - "ECO Platform EPD average"
  - "Social- og Boligstyrelsen: Klimakrav og LCA i bygningsreglementet: https://www.sbst.dk/byggeri/baeredygtigt-byggeri/national-strategi-for-baeredygtigt-byggeri/klimakrav-lca-i-bygningsreglementet"
  - "Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method"
  - "FT source and uncertainty principles: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method"
human_validation: "Whether the material fits the existing building, detail, durability, moisture and documentation needs."
responsibility_line: "AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences."
last_reviewed: 2026-06-24
last_updated: 2026-06-24
privacy_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy
related_pages:
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/gips
    relation: alternative-material
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/fiber-cement
    relation: alternative-material
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/trae
    relation: alternative-material
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials
    relation: hub
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/lca
    relation: concept
status: published
---
# Tiles and Ceramics - GWP and renovation use
Canonical URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/klinker
Markdown URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/klinker.md
Entity type: material
Language: en
Author: Fremtidens Tegnestue
Published: 2026-06-24
Last updated: 2026-06-24
Privacy: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy
## Short answer
Tiles are ceramic pieces fired at high temperatures. Used for floors, facades, bathroom walls, and terraces. Very durable and maintenance-free, but production requires high temperatures and results in a moderate carbon footprint.
## Who it is relevant for
Homeowners, studios and agents researching material choices.
## What FT can prepare
- Summarise material properties, GWP, common uses, renovation relevance and alternatives.
## What the architect validates
- Whether the material fits the existing building, detail, durability, moisture and documentation needs.
## Key figures

| Metric | Value |
| --- | --- |
| GWP | 0.7 kg CO₂-eq/kg |
| Density | 2000–2400 kg/m³ |
| Expected lifetime | 50–100 years |
## Use

- Bathroom walls and floors
- Kitchen floors and splash backs
- Terraces and outdoor floors
- Facade cladding (large format)
## Renovation relevance
Tile replacement is one of the most common bathroom renovations. Consider laying new tiles over old ones (possible with thin tiles) — this saves demolition time and CO₂ from disposal.
## Comparison

| Material | GWP |
| --- | --- |
| Gypsum board | 0.39 |
| Fibre cement | 0.67 |
| Ceramic tiles | 0.7 |
| Aluminium | 8.24 |
## FAQ
### What is the difference between floor tiles and wall tiles?
Floor tiles (klinker) are dense (glazed or unglazed) with water absorption below 3%. They are used for floors and damp rooms. Wall tiles may have higher water absorption and are primarily used for walls in dry rooms.
### Are tiles maintenance-free?
Almost — the tile itself is extremely durable. The grout (mortar) requires periodic cleaning and can crack over time. Epoxy grout is more durable than cement grout in damp rooms.
### Can tiles be recycled?
Yes, tiles can be removed with careful demolition and reused directly. However, removing old mortar is time-consuming. Crushed ceramics are used as road aggregate and in concrete mixes.
### Are large or small tiles best?
Large tiles (60×60 cm or more) give fewer grout joints, are easy to clean, and look contemporary. Small tiles and mosaic tiles are more movement-tolerant and provide more slip resistance.
## Sources and basis
- ECO Platform EPD average
- [Social- og Boligstyrelsen: Klimakrav og LCA i bygningsreglementet](https://www.sbst.dk/byggeri/baeredygtigt-byggeri/national-strategi-for-baeredygtigt-byggeri/klimakrav-lca-i-bygningsreglementet)
- [Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method)
- [FT source and uncertainty principles](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method)
## Uncertainty and boundaries
Material numbers depend on product, EPD, assembly, lifetime and project context.
## Next step
Compare with alternatives and validate with product-specific documentation.
## Related pages
- [Gypsum Board](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/gips): alternative-material
- [Fibre Cement](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/fiber-cement): alternative-material
- [Structural Timber](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/trae): alternative-material
- [Materials](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials): hub
- [LCA](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/lca): concept
## Citation guidance
When citing this page, cite the canonical HTML URL (https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/klinker) as the public source and use this Markdown URL only as the agent-readable representation. Keep the responsibility line: AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences.