A dozen new items appear on the building materials market every year. Among the thousands of finishing materials, there are also those that do not lose their relevance even hundreds of years after the development of production. These, of course, include Metlakh tiles. An amazingly durable and unique finishing material is used very widely, however, not every owner owns complete information about him.
The secret of making Mettlach tiles was found more than a hundred years ago in Germany, in the city of Mettlach, from where it began to spread throughout different countries. From Germany, the subtleties of obtaining a special material migrated to Italy, Portugal and France, and in our country Metlakh tiles made in Russia are becoming increasingly popular.
There are only a few factories in the Russian Federation that can produce competitive tiles according to those recipes. One of such enterprises is the EuroCeramics plant, which was built in the city of Pechory during the USSR. The products comply with all international standards and current GOSTs, and their price is an order of magnitude lower than Italian and German tiles. Price square meter Metlakh tiles (dimensions - 300x300x20 mm) produced in the Russian Federation do not exceed 200 rubles. The technical characteristics of the material are given in the table, and the photo shows samples of ornaments made from it.
There are not too many branded tiles on sale, made according to old technology. There are only a few factories left abroad that produce such material, and the French factory Winckelmans is considered the most famous in the world. The enterprise, despite complete replacement equipment, has been operating since 1886 and produces ceramics according to ancient technological maps. There is another factory in Portugal, but its tiles are not so well known, especially here. The price of imported tiles starts from 0.3 to 17 euros per square.
The second name for Metlakh tiles is Victorian tiles, since they were actively used for decoration internal surfaces palace premises. At that time, tiles differed from other types of tiles not only in their small size, shape and high strength, but also in the ability to create absolutely fantastic patterns thanks to deep colors. All this made it possible to use it as a working tool, corresponding to the style of many artists of that time.
The main material for making such tiles remains refractory clay. It is in the places of its extraction that factories are located. For the Russian Federation, this is mainly the Dmitrovsky quarry. Tiles of various sizes and shapes are formed from clay, glaze is applied, and then baked in an oven at a temperature of about 1100-1300 degrees. Thanks to the high degree of compaction, the tiles become very wear-resistant and frost-resistant, which makes it possible to use them not only for furnishing residential premises, but also for finishing administrative and public buildings.
Thanks to the characteristics of clay and special production technology, it is possible to achieve excellent performance properties of the material:
Physical strength and color fastness. The results of strength tests are shown in the table, but the strength properties of the tile can be evidenced by the fact that many historical buildings in Europe are decorated with it and look like new for hundreds of years. The tile can withstand pressure from an average car and practically does not lose color saturation over time. In addition, ceramic tiles can withstand more than 300 freeze-thaw cycles. Rare material can show such frost resistance.
Metlakh tiles - universal material. It is equally successfully used both for interior work and for exterior finishing of facades, platforms, paving paths and finishing entrance areas.
The high firing temperature provided the tiles with extreme moisture resistance, so such tiles can be used to decorate not only the approaches to the building, but also wet areas- swimming pools, baths, bathrooms.
Fire resistance and environmental friendliness. The tile does not lose properties and does not crack, does not fade when high temperatures. This makes it possible to use it for finishing fireplaces and stoves; it also does not contain synthetics and when heated, the tiles do not emit harmful fumes.
In fact, laying Metlakh tiles is not much different from finishing other types of tiles, but has some minor features. Experts recommend laying it only on a prepared and planned surface. Before directly laying it on the adhesive composition, the ceramics are laid out in the form of a planned ornament, taking into account the seams between the tiles. The tiles are soaked in water for about two hours, after which they can be laid along the marked plane.
First, large tiles are laid, and the adhesive is applied to the back side of the material. After laying smaller fragments, the seams are grouted either with a special grout that meets the operating conditions, or cement mortar to the entire depth of the seam.
Caring for tiles is no different from caring for any other ceramic tile. Choose the finishing material you like and good luck to everyone!
Editorial Radmi.ru
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Metlakh tiles have gained wide popularity and fame due to their unique beauty, amazing durability and impeccable functionality. The first examples of this decorative material appeared about 125 years ago and since then, it remains one of the most popular tile options. So, why are products of such “ancient” technology still able to compete on equal terms with ultra-modern ones? building materials? Let's move on to a detailed consideration of this issue.
History of creation
The peak demand and prevalence of Metlakh tiles occurred during the era of early industrialization (mid-19th century). She even became one of distinctive features, which arose a little later than eclectic retrospectivism in the Victorian style. Possessing an exceptional combination of wear resistance and picturesqueness, Metlakh tiles were actively used for decorating both luxury apartments and small areas, palaces, train stations, theaters and factories.
Nowadays, fragments of ancient decoration created from extravagant Mettlah tiles can be seen in many popular historical places, for example, in the Bolshoi Theater, the Hamburg metro, the Cologne Cathedral, etc. In addition, it was used in the design of cabins and reception halls at the famous "Titanic". During recent deep-sea explorations, numerous fragments of this particular finishing material were recovered from the sunken liner.
Curious! The tile got its name in honor of the German city of Mettlach, where the first large-scale production of ceramic products was established in the middle of the last century. Today, the classic production, which has preserved all the original manufacturing stages unchanged, can be visited in the south of France!
Application
The main area where Metlakh tiles are actively used is decorative finishing public places and large private houses. In terms of performance characteristics, the tile is almost identical to durable porcelain stoneware, but in terms of decorative parameters, it is significantly superior to it. It can easily boast of a variety of colors, patterns and shapes. Thanks to these advantages, Metlakh tiles transform the floor into a real work of art, which retains its original beauty for three to four decades.
Of all the options, the most popular is Metlakh tiles for flooring, which have extraordinary properties that ensure its long service life without noticeable damage.
In the interior of any room, Metlakh tiles will create a unique exclusivity that creates a creative ambiance. For example, in the bathroom it will successfully resist water splashes from the sink, shower or tap, in the kitchen it will easily withstand regular temperature changes and fluctuations in humidity levels, and in the entrance area it will prevent the spread of street dirt. This finishing material will also be appropriate in a restaurant, small office or boutique, where it will create a unique atmosphere.
Concerning country houses, then verandas, terraces and porches are covered with Metlakh tiles. The material is not afraid of heavy loads, rain, heat, snow and frost. If you decorate with metlakh tiles local area(paths, paths, barbecue area), then it will turn into a spectacular place for relaxation and entertainment.
Thanks to a fairly wide variety of colors and shapes, Metlakh tiles can be used advantageously not only to create decorative cladding walls and unique floor coverings, but even for the purpose of decorating furniture.
Manufacturing technology
Despite industrial progress and great opportunities modern manufacturers manufacturing technology remains unchanged. The main component for the production of Metlakh tiles is special high-strength clay.
After molding, the clay blanks are covered with a layer of glaze and placed in an oven, where they are fired at a temperature of 125-140°C. During heat treatment, the glaze and clay are sintered so tightly that the product acquires amazing wear resistance, durability, and resistance to the destructive effects of aggressive chemical compounds. These qualities also allow the tiles to be used on streets, factories and public places.
It seems unrealistic that over the course of a century and a half of history in manufacturing process no modifications were made other than increasing the options for ornaments and expanding the color range. Simply put, the tiles have become richer and better quality without losing their advantages, while losing almost all of their disadvantages.
Some enthusiastic craftsmen are trying in various ways to learn all the secrets of the original recipe in order to create primary tile samples. Their products are absolutely identical to the options used during the reign of Queen Victoria. As a rule, most of it is used during restoration work in archaic buildings.
Classification
It was noted above that Metlakh tiles are very similar to porcelain tiles in their performance qualities. But it has a more diverse (shape, colors) and extensive model range. The sizes of the tiles vary from 3.0 to 14.5 cm, and the shape is always classic - square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, and sometimes octagon.
A large assortment of shapes and sizes of Metlakh tiles gives the opportunity to lay out patterns of the rarest beauty, as well as transform the floor into a unique work of art.
According to the production method, there are cast, pressed and extruded tiles.
There is also a division into coarse or fine ceramics. The difference is clearly visible on the fault: coarse - has a fine-grained surface, and fine - the structure is smooth, homogeneous.
The main classification is based on the technical characteristics of the tile and is a wear resistance coefficient on the four-stage Mohs scale.
It helps to decide on the choice of specific tiles for the room, when the approximate daily load on the floor is known.
Modern industrial enterprises produce four classes of products that differ in wear resistance:
1st strength class - this option is the most “gentle”. Such Metlakh tiles can be laid exclusively in residential premises in the rooms furthest from the front door. It is better to walk on floors with such a covering in slippers with soft soles.
Wear resistance class 2 - more durable than the previous version. It is used in places with average daily traffic, where direct contact with tile covering at the entrance from the street. This best option for hospital wards, kindergartens, bathrooms and other similar premises.
Tiles of the 3rd strength class are suitable for installation in corridors, kitchens, and hallways. This option has a high strength coefficient and is capable of safely removing sand, clay, soil and other contaminants. The surface of the material does not crack, is resistant to scratches and retains its original appearance for a long time.
Strength class 4 is the most stable option, able to withstand damaging factors for a long time. It is used in public buildings and structures with significant traffic, for example, theaters, supermarkets, shopping centers, large banks, etc. In addition, fourth class tiles are often laid on the terraces of townhouses, country cottages and in garages.
Properties and Features
Metlakh tiles, thanks to the optimal composition recipe and competent production technology, have a number of exceptional features and unique properties:
Color stability - achieved due to the uniform distribution of the coloring pigment throughout the entire volume of the tile and subsequent sintering with clay during firing;
Durability - high resistance to destructive influences;
Endurance - the finishing material is not afraid of hail, rain, frost, snow, etc. It has amazing resistance to alkalis, saline solutions and acids;
Strength - the tiles have amazing hardness, which determines the ability to withstand enormous pressure;
Versatility - Metlakh flooring finds application not only indoors, but also under open air on the street.
In addition, a wide selection of colors allows you to lay out almost any ornament or pattern on the floor.
Exquisite selection
When there is a need to create exquisite design, a noble interior and a floor with excellent performance parameters, you should choose a floor covering made from Metlakh tiles. With its help, you can create non-standard, eccentric colored carpets that decorate the floor and form a single harmony in general interior premises.
Having studied the history of Metlakh tiles, people will come to a disappointing conclusion: in pursuit of quality, you can only buy Metlakh tiles by ordering from Europe. We hasten to please you - Russian-made Metlakh tiles are not inferior to the quality of foreign products.
Metlakh tiles - durable material, V technical aspects comparable to porcelain stoneware. The secret of strength lies in technology: high-temperature firing gives resistance to frost, acids and shocks, which is why it is often used as a facing material on city streets and in public buildings. Although metlakh tiles are similar to porcelain tiles in terms of technical characteristics, they are by far the leader in the variety of design solutions.
The Keramo-Evrika company not only knows how to make Metlakh tiles, but also preserves the original German technology, combining established traditions with advanced modern equipment. From us you can buy metlakh tiles designed for completely different purposes! We can:
The list of works can be continued for a long time - we work with each customer individually, taking into account each wish.
It is easy to buy Russian-made Metlakh tiles. In addition to traditional methods and German quality, we offer reasonable prices. If you are interested in Metlakh tiles for the bathroom floor, or you are interested in adding Victorian nobility to your home design by covering the floors and walls with durable tiles with unique decor, then contact us - affordable prices will allow you to realize any idea.
Among the huge variety of tile materials special place occupied by metlakh tiles. If you are looking for a unique floor or wall covering that can complement almost any interior style, Metax tiles or their imitation are exactly what you need.
Mettlakh ceramic tiles were named after the German city of Mettlach, where this finishing material began to be produced in the 19th century. At first, the ceramics manufacturing company was called Villeroy & Boch, when these two names, having opened a family business, created a partnership with the board in Mettlach. Metlakh tiles quickly became a household name thanks to original design and unique strength.
The tiles were especially popular in Victorian era It’s not for nothing that they called it “Victorian tiles” back then and covered the floors of cathedrals, public buildings and private residences with it. Coverings from Metlakha were also brought during the construction of the famous Titanic, and are also present in the decoration of many architectural monuments to this day.
IN late XIX– early 20th century trademark Villeroy & Boch became a supplier of ceramics to the Russian imperial court.
This finishing material was especially actively used in St. Petersburg, where at the beginning of the 20th century there was even a specialized store of this German company on Nevsky Prospekt. Visual confirmation technical properties This tile is used in the ancient interiors of historical buildings of the northern capital - in the decoration of St. Petersburg palaces this particular finishing material was often used, which decorated not only interior interiors, but also picturesque front doors.
In our country, the peak of popularity of Metlakh ceramics occurred in the second half of the twentieth century, when it was used in the construction of multi-story residential buildings and cladding plinths.
Currently, Metlakh tiles are produced in several countries (most factories are located in France and Portugal), including tiles produced in Russia (EuroCeramics plant).
The French plant “Winckelmans” is one of the oldest, which still operates to this day. It is here that ancient techniques have been preserved. By adding modern design ideas to them, the company’s specialists create a unique “piece” product, which is characterized by such characteristics as reliability, impeccable quality, natural texture, the most natural shades and patterns, as well as a pleasant matte shine.
Main material for the manufacture of Metlakh tiles - refractory clay. Factories are located, as a rule, in clay mining areas, in Russia this is the Dmitrovsky quarry. Metlach is the hardest tile compared to others. Even after a fall or impact, there will be no scratches or chips on it, because such material can withstand pressure from 3200 to 5550 kg.
In fact, Metlakh tiles are endowed with all the properties of natural stone - they can withstand heat and frost, and are also absolutely acid-resistant.
The peculiarity of the design of such tiles is the use of a unique decorative technique “brooms”, when the tile is first painted with a natural pigment, and only then it is sent to the oven to be fired at a temperature of about 1100-1200 ° C. The result is a durable tile of a natural shade. It is thanks to firing and pressing that the ceramic coating acquires high performance characteristics, In terms of strength, it is not inferior even to porcelain stoneware.
This monolithic and durable coating is used not only in apartments, but also for finishing facades, terraces or paths in front of the house.
Metlakh tiles are usually small in size, about 10x10 cm, although there are a variety of shapes and appearances. Sizes can vary from 3.5 to 20 cm. At the same time, the shapes of the tiles can be completely different - these are squares, rectangles, crosses, triangles, octagons. There are also additional decorative elements for decorating the floor and walls.
Most often, tiles of different sizes are used within the same composition. First, a pattern is laid out from large tiles, and then from small ones. Since the thickness of the tiles varies, when laying, make sure that ceramic surface was on the same level.
And be sure to make a drawing on the surface: to avoid mistakes during installation, you will need special markings.
Metlakh ceramics have many features and advantages over other finishing materials:
The only downsides we note are the complexity of installation, problems with cutting, and the fact that it will be very difficult to create a competent design yourself without a professional designer.
Of course, not everyone will “understand” Metlakh tiles. This must be a person with artistic thinking, because you need to have mature taste in order to choose an interior with complex ornaments. The use of such ceramics is acceptable both in modern and vintage interior. Ethnic and oriental themes go well with such tiles.
Metlakh tiles will help create a decorative accent in the room - for example, make a plain floor and decorate it with elegant skirting boards.
This coating is suitable for decorating a bathroom, as it does not slip and does not absorb moisture. You can also use broom to make a luxurious carpet for a living room or spacious kitchen. A rather unusual, but effective technique will be decorative panel from a broom on the wall.
Also, small-sized Metlakh tiles will fit perfectly into the interior of a kitchen of any design - with the help of such ceramics you can decorate kitchen apron or work surface.
Mettlah is also suitable for decorating terraces in front of the house, because it is not afraid of snow, rain or frost. And with the help of rounded elements you can effectively design steps on stairs. Great idea The fireplace, as well as the area in front of it, will be tiled with such tiles. You can even regular doors decorate the perimeter with broom tiles in the form of a mosaic.
Agree, such a finishing material is truly a godsend for the designer. Metlakh tiles can be used literally anywhere.
Modern collections of Metlakh tiles offer a huge variety of shades and patterns. It's not so easy to settle on something without the help of a professional designer.
Therefore, use the following useful tips:
Collections ceramic coatings from Italy and Spain are considered prestigious products in terms of consumer properties and technical indicators, which is confirmed by the stability of demand. And only a few buyers know that construction market Russia has long had a full-fledged competitor to these products - Metlakh tiles. Cladding material due to technological features and original artistic design have been used in construction for a century and a half.
In the middle of the 19th century, the first batch of tiles was produced in the workshops of the Villeroy & Boch joint venture in the German town of Mettlach. And by the end of the century, the demand for products increased so much that expansion of production was required, and a number of factories for the production of ceramic products were opened in Germany.
Since then, coatings made from unique Metlakh tiles have faithfully served people and retained their original appearance and beauty for decades. And the head office of Villeroy & Boch, which has already become transnational and has representative offices in 125 countries, is still located in Mettlach.
Due to its amazing wear resistance, variety of shapes and colors, Metlakh tiles have become famous as a universal facing material. German ceramics were widely used in England for the interior and exterior decoration of palaces, church buildings, museums, theaters and even squares, for which they are recognized as one of the symbols of the Victorian style. Tiles from Mettlach have been decorating the Cologne Cathedral and the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Darmstadt, the Hamburg metro in Germany, as well as numerous ancient and modern buildings in European countries and Russia.
Metlakh tiles retain their original name and have been produced for the second hundred years. During this time, factories producing amazing ceramics both opened and stopped in Europe. Today ancient traditions the manufacture of metlakh tiles, the skill of developing and restoring the shape and color scheme in the Victorian style were preserved only at the Winckelmans plant in France. The factory's professionals have revived many ancient shapes and colors of ceramic products that meet the requirements of the English Architectural Society. Winckelmans workshops produce metlakh tiles, both for the restoration of landmarks and to satisfy the demand of numerous customers.
Metlakh tiles have long been supplied to Russia. A specialized store “Villeroy & Boch” opened in St. Petersburg, on Nevsky Prospekt. German ceramics were used to decorate city buildings, including an apartment building on Bolshoy Prospekt, the floor and walls in the building of the Orthopedic Clinical Institute, and in the premises of the Russian National Library. In Moscow, hand-pressed Metlakh tiles were even ordered twice for the Bolshoi Theater - more than 100 years ago and during reconstruction in 2005 - 2011.
In Russia ceramic products According to Metlakh technology, they were manufactured at many factories. The quality of local tiles, of course, differed from the products of Western manufacturers, but this did not affect demand. In the cities and towns of the country, finishing with Metlakh tiles is found both in numerous public buildings and in residential buildings- on the facades of buildings, on staircases in the front rooms.
In Germany, in the town of Mettlach, refractory clay from a nearby deposit became the raw material base for the production of tiles at the Villeroy & Boch enterprises. Technological process contained the following steps:
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Preparation of a mixture of clay, water and dyes;
Formation of blanks;
Drying products;
Applying glaze;
Firing in a kiln at a temperature not lower than 1200.
For one and a half hundred years, the technology for making Metlakh tiles has not changed. But in modern enterprises the process of producing products has been automated, the number of designs and ornaments has also increased, and the color range has expanded.
There are not many factories in Europe that produce Metlakh ceramics and it is produced in only three ways.
1. Casting tiles. Raw clay and other components are poured into special matrices, dried and then fired. As a rule, many defective products are produced.
2. Pressing. The raw material contains pre-ground clay and specified additives. The water content in the mixture is allowed up to 6%. The raw material is pressed and cut. The tiles obtained in this way have minimal porosity and are suitable for flooring.
3. Extrusion. This modern way, which is used in advanced enterprises. Tiles are obtained by cutting a tape, which is formed by squeezing the raw material mass through the forming hole of the extruder, the dimensions of which determine the thickness and width of the products.
The cladding made of Metlakh ceramics has stood the test of time and looks flawless even after a century and a half. This type of tile is much superior to ordinary tiles in terms of quality. High-temperature firing of refractory clay products provided unique properties of the final product.
1. Durability of the tiles. There are no ceramics in the world with a long service life. According to the Mohs mineralogical scale, the hardness of the products is 7 units out of 10. During the operation of the coating, the tiles do not crack from strong impacts, are not scratched, and do not wear off.
2. Heat resistance - stability technical indicators tiles during temperature changes. Manufacturers guarantee their stability during 150 repetitions of freezing and thawing within the temperature range from 15C to +25C.
3. Resistance of Metlakh tiles to chemical influences active substances. Acidic, alkaline, salt and other solutions do not damage ceramics.
4. Resistance to mechanical loads. The covering made of Metlakh tiles can withstand pressure up to 5550 kg/cm2, and the bending strength of the tile is 250 kgf/cm2.
5. Water resistance of ceramics. As a result of high-temperature firing, the tiles retain appearance and primary characteristics with prolonged exposure to water, hydrophobicity in the range of 0.1 - 0.5%.
6. Durability of the coating. The products retain their structure for a long time and do not lose their original color. Color fastness is due to the uniform distribution of the dye throughout the entire volume of the workpiece and subsequent firing.
7. Environmental safety of Metlakh tiles. The manufacturing technology provides for a composition made only of organic ingredients - clay, coloring pigments and other additives. When heated, fumes harmful to human health are not released.
8. Fire resistance - products do not deform, crack, or melt when exposed to high temperatures.
9. The versatility of Metlakh ceramics is used both for finishing surfaces inside buildings and for exterior work.
This type of tile has three disadvantages:
1. Cold coating. Lovers of a comfortable floor will spend money on heating.
2. Metlakh tiles are hard and difficult to cut.
3. Difficulty in installation. To create an intricate ornament you will need the help of a designer.
Just like a century and a half ago, despite the extensive choice facing materials, Metlakh tiles are in demand among buyers due to their consumer properties. Today this type of tile is used:
- V country houses, as for interior decoration premises and for external coverings: facades, verandas and terraces, garages, as well as paths and platforms on the site;
- as a covering for the floors and walls of auxiliary rooms of apartments: kitchens and dining rooms, hallways, bathrooms and toilets, balconies;
- for finishing, both facades and interior spaces all kinds of public buildings: airports and train stations, hotels and restaurants, shops and offices, swimming pools, baths and saunas;
- for cladding the floors and walls of technical premises: gas stations, laboratories and even factories.
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When choosing ceramic tiles, including Metlakh, take into account several criteria. Tile is chosen depending on the place of application - for decorating rooms inside a building or facade, covering paths, garage floors, etc. The purpose of the products is taken into account - for covering the surface of walls or floors.
The consumer should familiarize himself with technical characteristics, special markings that determine the degree of wear resistance, strength and other indicators of product quality. When choosing tiles, the climatic features of the region are taken into account. If external work is planned, the degree of frost resistance of the ceramics must be clarified.
According to the strength of the products, Metlakh tiles are divided into four classes:
1. First class ceramics are thin, suitable only for decorating walls indoors - kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms, toilets. The products are not used for flooring or outdoor work.
2. Tiles of the second class are stronger than the first, but are only suitable for interior work- as wall cladding in public and technical buildings.
3. Third class tiles are used as flooring:
- in medical institutions, educational and preschool institutions, small offices and shops;
- in the premises of houses and apartments - hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, etc.;
- for some external works - cladding of verandas, terraces.
4. Products fourth grade are characterized by extraordinary strength and are used for cladding surfaces that are subject to intense loads.
Such objects include:
- buildings in which many people are constantly present: train stations and subways, restaurants and hotels, shopping centers and banks, concert halls and theaters;
- rooms where the tile covering is exposed to moisture, chemical substances, high heat: technical objects and laboratories, garages, swimming pools and saunas;
- external surfaces that experience temperature changes: house facades, terraces, park paths.
The peculiarities of Metlakh ceramics include the shape of the products. Tiles are made in the form geometric shapes: triangles, squares, rectangles, hexagons and octagons.
Collections of Metlakh tiles are distinguished by a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors and patterns, and numerous options for creating patterned carpets. At presentations of product samples, modern enterprises often demonstrate ready-made sets, as well as layout diagrams for them. But if you plan to make an expensive and complex carpet, then when choosing Metlakh tiles it is recommended to use the services of a designer.
When laying tiles, the features of the products are certainly taken into account - the small size and variety of shapes of the elements, although small, there is a difference in their thickness. Since high-quality Metlakh ceramics are not cheap, and it is difficult to work with, it is better to use experienced craftsman- tiler.
If you decide to lay the tiles yourself, you will need more than one consultation before starting work. Recommendations for installation are received, first of all, from the sales consultant, thoroughly study the instructions and characteristics that were stocked up upon purchase, and use the tips of an experienced craftsman. To ensure that fewer questions arise during work, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the general installation rules in advance.
