TO RECOGNISE THE BEST PORCELAIN STONEWARE YOU NEED TO THINK QUALITY AND PERFORMANCEporcelain stoneware is a widely used material in
architecture, with formidable workmanship and performance.
Let's take a look at some of the characteristics that cause its good quality:
● Low water absorption
● High resistance to wear, shocks, scratches and stains
● Frost-proof and water-repellent
Thanks to these exclusive advantages, in recent years porcelain stoneware has been the most widely sold material in both
residential and commercial settings, for flooring and covering any space, even those with high footfall.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND CLASS PORCELAIN TILESWhen
choosing porcelain stoneware tiles the first things that come to mind are
colours, style, sizes and final effect, but especially when it comes to floor or wall tiles it is also important to consider the price and type of material.
Floor and wall coverings will be part of your home for many years, so it is very important to make an informed choice to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
● The term "
first class porcelain stoneware tiles" refers to imperfection-free ceramic products covered by the manufacturer's guarantee in the event that the supplied product is affected by apparent or hidden defects. In the case of first-class tiles, some minor aesthetic defects are admissible on a limited number of tiles (no more than 5%, i.e. 5 tiles out of 100).
● The term "
second class porcelain stoneware tiles" refers to all ceramic products of a lower quality class. In consideration of a lower price, the manufacturer offers no guarantee. Aesthetic defects are allowed in the second-class tiles, such as:
- Shading (a slight difference in tone between one tile and another or between points on the same tile).
- Differences in thickness between one tile and another or between two points on the same tile
- Irregular edges
- Non-planarity (the tiles emboss in the centre)
- Dots, spots
Such defects may concern only part of the tiles or the whole batch.
Remember that a cheap tile makes the installation more expensive! A quality tile is easier to lay down, it has no internal tensions that lead to breakage, it is well sized and flat and makes life easier for the tile layer.
Finally, the manufacturer must state the quality of the tiles on their packaging, with I in the case of the first class or II, SE or SS in the case of the second.
Get the best prices on our premium porcelain tile collections