The Function of Glaze in the Tiles of Chinese Architecture

    Chinese architectural glazed components were first produced because of their practicality, and most of their practical properties are reflected in their adaptability to architectural structures. Depending on the location and function of the building structure, there are also corresponding differences in the types, shapes, dimensions, and other aspects of glazed components.

    The diversity of utility of architectural glazed components depends on their unique physical properties. Compared to traditional ceramic components, colored glass components have many advantages, such as resistance to bending, corrosion, discoloration, fire resistance, extreme cold and heat resistance, and low water absorption. Before the Northern Wei Dynasty in China, the roof of buildings had a high water absorption rate, and its own weight would continue to increase after long-term rain washing, which to some extent increased the burden on the building, making the roof extremely vulnerable to collapse, posing a great threat to the building. However, glazed components avoid these defects. The lead glaze layer on the surface of glazed products not only enhances the fluidity of rainwater and the drainage effect of the roof, but also increases the durability of wind, fire, rain, snow, and oxidation resistance. The surface of the building is timeless and free of moss and moss, ensuring the stability of the building roof and ensuring the safety of the building. The diversity of the utility of glazed components is another important manifestation of the practicality of architectural glazed materials.

    The formal structure of architectural glazed components is mainly reflected in its overall structure and individual modeling. First of all, in terms of the overall structure, the glazed components in the building exhibit a clear rhythmic and symmetrical layout.

    The images in the glass components of the building are rich in content, including: geometric patterns, animals, people and so on. The techniques of these subjects are varied and vary depending on their location. Generally speaking, when subject images are used as decorations for brick components such as eaves tile and drip tile, they are mostly bas-relief stereoscopic patterns, which are mainly suitable patterns composed of individual or combined elements.

    The glazed tiles in buildings have the characteristics of rich and colorful colors and various forms of color matching. In the Northern Wei Dynasty, the main component of colored glaze was green, and in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the glaze colors developed into yellow, green, blue, white, ochre, brown, black, azure, carmine, and goose yellow. With the development of the social era, the color system of glazed components continues to grow, and the color system is also more perfect.