Renovating
In Praise of Porcelain Surfaces
It's been around for centuries and is now gaining popularity in home surface design
While porcelain has a history that goes back centuries – it was developed by the Chinese during the Yuan dynasty in the fourteenth century – it has become an increasingly popular material for a multitude of surfaces in the home. In other words, it’s by no means a modern material, but it’s a relative newcomer as a surfacing material. From indoor and outdoor floor tiles and wall tiles, to kitchen benches and bathroom vanities, porcelain is proving its power. Here are several ways to take advantage of the possibilities of porcelain in your home.
Porcelain can be manufactured to take on a variety of looks including timber, travertine, limestone and marble, as pictured here.
Outdoor floor tiles
All the reasons that make porcelain tiles a great choice for indoor flooring also apply outdoors. They have high slip-resistance, which makes the paving suitable for areas around swimming pools. It’s also a durable material that won’t crack under freezing-cold temperatures.
All the reasons that make porcelain tiles a great choice for indoor flooring also apply outdoors. They have high slip-resistance, which makes the paving suitable for areas around swimming pools. It’s also a durable material that won’t crack under freezing-cold temperatures.
If your home has inside and outside spaces that flow into one another, choosing porcelain tiles for both areas can help create the seamless indoor-outdoor look.
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Porcelain wall tiles are a versatile option, available in a wide variety of finishes, colours and sizes. From soft and natural hues to matt and gloss finishes, or Italian marble-look tiles (as pictured), there is no doubt porcelain is a sophisticated choice.
Porcelain is, however, weightier than other ceramic tiles, which can lead to issues if the walls are not particularly strong. Contact a professional to determine the strength of your walls before installation, or use tile backer board that will support the weight of the tiles.
Decorative tiles
Porcelain tiles can be used as a decorative feature in bathrooms and kitchens on floors, walls and backsplashes. These glazed porcelain tiles have a patchwork of motifs that add pattern, dimension and shape to the bathroom wall and floor.
Porcelain tiles can be used as a decorative feature in bathrooms and kitchens on floors, walls and backsplashes. These glazed porcelain tiles have a patchwork of motifs that add pattern, dimension and shape to the bathroom wall and floor.
Kitchen bench
The popularity of porcelain in the kitchen has grown immensely in recent years, becoming a sought-after option. Porcelain countertops are heat-, flame- and stain-resistant and manufactured in a variety of thicknesses (even as small as 3 millimetres thick). Porcelain countertops are also easy to clean and won’t scratch, so chopping can be done directly onto the surface.
Porcelain: the revolutionary new benchtop material
The popularity of porcelain in the kitchen has grown immensely in recent years, becoming a sought-after option. Porcelain countertops are heat-, flame- and stain-resistant and manufactured in a variety of thicknesses (even as small as 3 millimetres thick). Porcelain countertops are also easy to clean and won’t scratch, so chopping can be done directly onto the surface.
Porcelain: the revolutionary new benchtop material
The colour and design of porcelain slabs are integrated into the raw materials and therefore run all the way through the tiles or slab, rather than just coating the surface. This means the colour or pattern of a porcelain bench won’t scratch or wear off through use.
Backsplash
Since porcelain can be produced in a variety of sizes and thicknesses, it can also be used for vertical surfaces such as a kitchen backsplash. Porcelain tiles can be used for a more decorative backsplash, or choose a slab option for a more seamless look.
Since porcelain can be produced in a variety of sizes and thicknesses, it can also be used for vertical surfaces such as a kitchen backsplash. Porcelain tiles can be used for a more decorative backsplash, or choose a slab option for a more seamless look.
Exterior cladding
Porcelain tiles can also be used for cladding the facade of a house, withstanding the harshest conditions and being resistant to chemicals, stains, scratching, UV damage and even fire. With a design that emulates, to some degree, natural materials, porcelain tiles can even take on the look of stone or metal.
TELL US
Do you have porcelain surfaces in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments to show us.
MORE
Ceramic Tile vs Porcelain: How They Stack Up in Different Spaces
Porcelain tiles can also be used for cladding the facade of a house, withstanding the harshest conditions and being resistant to chemicals, stains, scratching, UV damage and even fire. With a design that emulates, to some degree, natural materials, porcelain tiles can even take on the look of stone or metal.
TELL US
Do you have porcelain surfaces in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments to show us.
MORE
Ceramic Tile vs Porcelain: How They Stack Up in Different Spaces
Porcelain floor tiles are denser and harder wearing than ceramic tiles due to the pressing and firing process. Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures and uses a more refined clay mixture than traditional ceramic tiles. This means the finish is harder and the material denser, giving a more sophisticated and long-lasting finish that is ideal for high-traffic areas. An additional bonus is that porcelain tiles tend to be stain resistant and therefore low-maintenance.
Porcelain is also less porous than ceramic tiles – generally with a water absorption rate of 0.5 per cent or less – which makes it suitable for wet areas.
Tile flooring 101