When it comes to choosing a floor, any expert or professional you turn to will undoubtedly answer: porcelain stoneware.
However, for those who are simply looking for tiles for their home, these two words may seem somewhat mysterious and certainly unclear. Are you thinking of using this type of floor in your home? In this article we explain what a porcelain floor is and what makes porcelain stoneware the quintessential choice for creating indoor and outdoor flooring.
What is porcelain stoneware?
Fine porcelain stoneware is a material with a water absorption coefficient of less than 0.5%. This very low percentage, close to impermeability, is obtained by means of kaolin, aggregates and quality feldspars that are atomized, pressed and subjected to a firing process at very high temperatures (1250 °C). The final product is a hard, compact ceramic tile, generally colored and non-porous. The French word “grès” means that the ceramic tile body is extremely hard and impermeable.
Various products can be made from stoneware: sanitary ware, tableware, pottery and sanitation pipes, among others, but without doubt the largest field of application is the production of floor and wall tiles.
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Porcelain stoneware is manufactured with a special, very compact ceramic and this material is the basis of its special characteristics. There are stoneware tiles with a single layer and some with two layers. In the latter case, if we look closely at the tile, we can immediately see that there are two layers: the substrate and the glazed part. The substrate confers the resistance of the typical structure of porcelain stoneware. The other layer is the glazed part, the part that, with its patterns and textures, can give that extra touch to your home, but it is not just mere aesthetics. In fact, it is the part most exposed to footprints, sunlight and scratches and also plays a crucial role in the resistance and durability of porcelain stoneware. At the end of the tile manufacturing process, the tile will be a single piece, the two layers will be perfectly fused and compact.
Difference between ceramics and porcelain tile flooring
Porcelain tile differs from other ceramics in its high surface hardness, load and wear resistance.
This makes porcelain tile flooring the safest and most durable choice for the consumer, while when used as a ceramic tile, its hardness requires greater installation skill on the part of the installer.
Finally, given that the percentage of water absorption of porcelain stoneware is infinitesimal, it is the most suitable material for outdoor installation.
In short, we can summarize the main advantages of porcelain stoneware:
- Waterproof.
- Resistance to shocks.
- Resistance to wear and tear.
- Resistance to scratches.
- Resistance to extreme temperatures (hot and cold) thanks to its minimum porosity.
- Resistance to chemical attacks.
- Hygienic and easy to clean.
- Durable colors and textures do not fade in the sun.
Do you have in mind to build or restructure your house and put a porcelain floor? We remind you to look not only at the aesthetic factor, but also at the quality of the materials. When choosing tiles, think about the raw materials and how they are made. If you need help or advice on any aspect, do not hesitate to contact our team of professionals at Constructora Viñas, who will be happy to help you.
