Taiwan Ceramic Association: 'Tile Rain' is Misnomer, Blames Building Aging for Exterior Wall Failures

Taiwan's Ceramic Industry Association is pushing back against the term "tile rain," arguing it unfairly stigmatizes ceramic tiles and misrepresents the cause of falling exterior wall materials. Lin Yu-yu, the association's chairman, emphasized that tiles are a safe, durable, and aesthetically pleasing building material.

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"Tile rain" is fundamentally a misnomer!

Lin explained that when parts of building exteriors detach, often due to factors like earthquakes, typhoons, or significant temperature fluctuations, the issue stems from the aging and deterioration of the building's structural components, including cement, stone, or tiles. He stressed that the problem is not with the tiles themselves, which are designed with safety features and meet national standards, but rather with the underlying structure and maintenance of older buildings.

The association is calling for government intervention to address the root causes. They urge the government to enforce safety diagnostics, inspections, and renovations for aging building exteriors, providing necessary guidance and subsidies to ensure public safety. Furthermore, they implore construction companies to adhere to national standards when selecting exterior tiles and adhesion materials, advocating for advanced installation techniques like dry hanging to enhance quality and safety.

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The problem lies in the aging of the building, the quality of construction, and improper subsequent maintenance, and has nothing to do with 'tiles' themselves.

Lin highlighted that many buildings in Taiwan are 30 to 40 years old and suffer from aging cement and neglect. When these structures experience partial detachment during environmental stresses, it should be accurately described as "partial exterior wall structure detachment," not "tile rain." The association aims to correct this public perception and promote responsible building practices.

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Taiwanese tiles are currently the best surface building materials for buildings, with safety-enhanced designs featuring back grooves and reverse hooks, and they meet CNS national standards. Tiles themselves will absolutely not be damaged due to factors such as earthquakes or typhoons.