TYPES OF PORCELAIN TILES’ SURFACES
If you have decided to use the porcelain stoneware tiles in finishing, you should not only find the tiles with design you need, but also choose the optimal type of surface that will meet your needs and conditions of usage.
Such important factors as safety and wear resistance of the coating depend on how responsibly you will approach this issue. For example, by the pool, on the street, in the sauna or in the shower the tiles must necessarily have a non-slip structured surface or Grip. However, we do not recommend you to use the tiles with such pronounced texture in the bathrooms, in the kitchen or in the hallways, as it will not be easy to clean it up. At the entrance to the restaurant or to the shopping centre you should not lay porcelain stoneware with the surface Lux. In addition to premature wear of the finishing material, this can lead to injuries of guests and visitors.
So, which tiles is it better to use in the flooring of the bathroom? Is it possible to lay porcelain stoneware tiles with the surface Lux in the hallway and in the kitchen? Which type of the tiles will not be slippery for the porch?
In this article we will tell you about all the types of porcelain stoneware surfaces that are present in the ITALON product range, and give the recommendations on the use.
After going through the firing kiln the porcelain tiles get the natural surface. The porcelain gres with such a surface is the most resistant to all types of wear, abrasion, chemical stresses, etc. It is comfortable to walk on it and easy to clean.
Application areas: without limits in private and commercial premises (bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, balconies, restaurants, shopping centres, airports, etc.)
We get this type of surface by treating the natural surface of already kilned porcelain stoneware using a soft abrasive. As a result, microroughness is removed from the surface and the tile becomes very smooth and silky to the touch.
Application areas: without limits (bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, balconies and etc.). Exception: the areas with the wet floor and exteriors.
It is often called semi-polished / semi-glossy. This type of surface is achieved by more prolonged processing of the natural surface with the help of more rigid abrasives. As a result, the tile turns out to be partially matt, partially glossy and, in some cases, the tile texture remains unchanged.
Application areas: private and commercial interiors with low traffic (bathrooms, living rooms, kitchens, hallways, beauty salons, restaurants)
This surface is obtained by the removal of a thin layer of material from the surface of the tile with diamond discs, therefore polished tiles are 1 mm thinner than tiles with the natural surface. The porcelain stoneware with polished finish has intense colour and glossy “mirror like” surface, low abrasion resistance and it is more slippery.
You might see this type of tiles in the shopping centres or in the public institutions. It usually has a simple design (monocolour, salt, pepper or abstract stains) and it is slippery to move over even in shoes.
Application areas: without limits. Exceptions: entrance units, rooms with high humidity, children playgrounds.
It is the most expensive and luxurious type of surface that is distinguished by high mirror shine and rich colour. This finish emphasizes the beauty of the tile’s texture (marble veins, splinters of wood, colour, etc.) thanks to its clean glassy surface.
Lux has been designed specifically for home interiors for laying on the floor and walls. Since the surface of the tile is glossy, we are often asked questions about the possibility of its use in bathrooms, hallways and in the kitchen.
Here are some suggestions:
- In the bathroom, we recommend using a foot pad in the bath / shower area.
- In the hallway it is necessary to remove dirt brought from the street in a timely manner.
- Wipe up timely spilled liquids in the kitchen.
Application areas: private and commercial interiors with low traffic. Exception: rooms with abundant water presence.
This type of surface has a relief texture that ensures lower slipperiness and guarantees the security.
Structured porcelain stoneware is produced by pressing with a relief stamp. This type of finish allows delivering the aesthetics in the collections imitating natural stones. Visually, the structured tiles look very impressive, but do not lay such a tile on the floor in rooms where it is not necessary (such as bathroom, kitchen, hall, living room, balcony) because the daily cleaning of these tiles is not easy.
Application areas: shower trays, the area around the pool, Turkish bath, exteriors (porch, steps, footpaths, terraces), SPA-centres, indoor areas in public places.
A variety of types of surfaces in ITALON collections facilitates the tasks of design creation and allows choosing the tiles that helps to realize any ideas. When choosing porcelain stoneware, be sure to take into account the particular features of the room in which porcelain stoneware will be laid, and remember about security and ease of maintenance. With this approach, the selected tiles will delight you and fulfil their purpose for many years.
