What is the porcelain stoneware?

Porcelain stoneware is one of the most requested materials by designers and builders. In this article we explain what is the porcelain stoneware, what it is made of and why it has gained this popularity.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PORCELAIN stoneware

Porcelain stoneware is a modern, highly technological and eco-friendly finishing material formed by pressing at high pressure (>450kgforce/cm2) made exclusively from natural and pure ingredients (kaolin, sand, feldspar) and fired at high temperature (>1200°C). The distinctive features of this product are very low water absorption and excellent resistance.

During the production process, porcelain stoneware tiles acquire their unique technical characteristics: water absorption close to zero (≤ 0.5%) and, consequently, resistance to frost, to thermal shocks, to chemical attacks and stain resistance.

Neither natural stones nor ceramic tiles do not have all these characteristics.

The technical and aesthetic porcelain stoneware features allow using it for different tasks: both indoor and outdoor, both wall and floor tiling, in residential and commercial areas. And these are the reasons why do porcelain stoneware is so popular.

Where could be used porcelain stoneware?

Where could be laid porcelain stoneware?

Meanwhile, we must point out that there is no division for “porcelain stoneware for the floors” and “porcelain stoneware for the walls”. The technical and aesthetic possibilities of porcelain stoneware allow it to be used in various contexts: both for indoor and outdoor spaces, both for floors and walls, both in residential and commercial areas.

For example, if you choose a Contempora collection you can use it for the floor in the whole house, cover with it the walls in the bathroom or make an excellent splashback in the kitchen, and also cover the ventilated facades or create a beautiful outdoor space.

Ecco un elenco di ambienti tipici di una casa con le varie possibilità di utilizzo del gres porcellanato.

Here you can find a list of typical spaces with different possibilities of porcelain stoneware usage.

• Bathroom: floor, walls, shower, furniture design.
• Kitchen: floor, walls, splashback, kitchen floor.
• Living room: floor, walls, TV area, fireplace.
• Bedroom: floor, walls, TV area, fireplace.
• Spa, sauna, corridor, laundry, balcony, garage: floor, walls.

If you need to decorate an outdoor area (walkways, parking, barbecue area, swimming pool), you can use the thickened porcelain stoneware Italon X2 with a thickness of 2 cm that has very high anti-slip characteristics which are essential for a safety. In case of outdoor decoration, it is important functionality of products, not just their aesthetic characteristics.

In addition to the common use, you can also make different design objects with porcelain stoneware like tables, reception desks, vases, benches, flowerbeds, special objects for swimming pools, steps, etc.

Porcelain stoneware tile is an excellent material to realize all your design ideas!

How to choose a porcelain stoneware?

So, you have already decided to use porcelain stoneware for your project. And you already know that all Italon porcelain stoneware could be laid both on the floors and on the walls. So now remains the only thing: you should know what do all these “Ret., Nat., Hon., Lux” mean in the description of the products.

To help you with the choise of the right product for your project, we have prepared a list of five basic characteristics of porcelain stoneware that will help you to make a right decision.

1. Look

In Italon’s product range there are tiles with marble effect, wood effect, stone effect, glass effect, concrete effect, metal effect. To make these effects as realistic as possible, we create a high variability of the tiles’ graphics.

The number of “faces” for each Italon’s collection is more than 25.

2.Color

The same tiles’ texture is always available in at least three colors. This allows you to decorate your interiors in the most comfortable color for you.

3.Surface: natural(matt), honed satin, haned, lux, polished, grip.

When are you choosing a type of finish, it is important to consider the conditions of the place where you would like to lay it. For example, for the floor in WC could be used any type of finish, but for the floor in shower it is recommended to use the grip finish with high anti-slip characteristics.

4.Format

The range of Italon porcelain stoneware’s formats is so wide that allows you to select a tiles’ format that suites your room’s size: 30×30, 45×45, 60×60, 45×90, 20×120, 30×120, 60×120 or another format. When you are choosing a tile format, you should remember that the right format minimizes off-cuts.

5.Rectified tiles or non-rectified tiles

Rectification is a process that affects the edges of a tile. A mechanical process straightens the tile edges and ensures they are perfectly squared. So all the tiles are exactly the same size and can therefore be laid with a minimum grout joint of 2 mm.

Non-rectified tiles, on the other hand, are tiles with natural, uneven edges that require a wider grout joint. Advantages of non-rectified tiles are low price and small formats (7,5х30, 30х30 или 45х45).

Porcelain stoneware is perfect for any public or domestic space that needs to be easy to clean, hygienic, comfortable and stylish and with that “something extra” to define the spirit and atmosphere of the place.