Porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware is a ceramic tile that becomes extremely dense when fired at very high temperatures. As a result it absorbs almost no water and is practically frost-proof, scratch-resistant and abrasion-resistant. It is available in many looks: imitating wood, natural stone, concrete or marble, and in polished, matt or textured finishes.

During production the raw mix is pressed, dried and fired. A distinction is made between full-body (unglazed) porcelain stoneware, where the colour runs through the entire tile, and glazed porcelain stoneware, which gets its appearance from a fired-on surface layer. It is laid in a thin-bed mortar on a stable, level substrate; clean grouting and suitable slip-resistance classes are decisive.

Porcelain stoneware is needed wherever durability matters: in the kitchen, bathroom, entrance area, on terraces and balconies, or in heavily used living and commercial spaces. Thanks to its low water absorption it is particularly suited to outdoor areas and wet rooms.

Pay attention to the slip-resistance class (R-value) for floors and wet areas, the abrasion class for high-traffic surfaces, and the format and joint pattern. Common mistakes are an unsuitable or uneven substrate, oversized tiles laid without proper technique, and a wrongly chosen finish that becomes too slippery in the bathroom. Ask to see samples and have the suitability for your specific location confirmed.