PORCELAIN STONEWARE: INTRODUCTION
Porcelain stoneware has more and more admirers in the furniture sector.
Porcelain stoneware is a compact, resistant material characterized by a practically zero porosity (and therefore by a water absorption value).
It is a solution applicable in different situations starting from the coatings of their rooms up to their flooring. The latter, in reality, as we will see later, is the use that most of it is made of this material.
But why should we choose this type of material, and what are the real advantages and benefits that such a choice brings?
Let’s find out together in this article, where we will inform you about everything there is to know for a decisive and weighted choice on the material to be used.
CHARACTERISTICS
Porcelain stoneware it is a particular compact ceramic characterized by unique qualities that make it a choice increasingly used by experts in the sector.
In fact, the porcelain stoneware floors and walls they have an extraordinary resistance and at the same time guarantee an aesthetic result of great impact thanks to the wood, marble or stone effects they can create.
Ideal for every type of environment, from the kitchen, to the bathroom, to the living room and outdoor areas, the porcelain stoneware is obtained by synthesizing some of the purest materials (minerals, kaolin, feldspar, clay).
Compaction occurs without the addition of adhesives and resins but by pressing. The porcelain stoneware tile is therefore composed of a support, which gives the typical resistance of stoneware, and an enamelled part that defines its aesthetic rendering.
However, the tile remains a single and compact piece.
In addition, the particular resistance of this material passes through some characteristics such as the very low porosity, which leads to a high impermeability to dirt and frost.
Therefore, this guarantees a high versatility in stoneware and a resistance to the effects of time that is difficult to imitate. The strengths of stoneware are:
- Resistance to abrasion: the stoneware does not wear out due to rubbing and contact, it does not scratched due to the trampling or impact of bodies even harder than his;
- Impermeability: water and humidity are not absorbed by the stoneware which has an absorption coefficient less than 0,5%;
- Resistance to fire and frost: stoneware is insensitive to changes in temperature. Perfect for kitchen coverings or for external flooring. In case of fire it also does not burn and does not produce toxic fumes;
- Stability chromatic: Colors are stable, not altered by exposure exposure to the elements (such as sun and smog).
TYPES OF PORCELAIN STONEWARE
There are two large families of porcelain stoneware:
- Glazed stoneware
- Glazed stoneware
The first type has a marble effect which makes it completely similar to natural marble, while maintaining the unique characteristics of stoneware. The porcelain mix takes on a generally light beige color, but it can also colored during production.
Glazed stoneware maintains the advantages of stoneware by adding value. In addition, it has a decidedly superior aesthetic yield to the first type.
The enamel covers the natural pores of the ceramic preventing dirt to penetrate the tile. The great strength of glazed porcelain stoneware is the possibility of chromatic and aesthetic customization it offers.
Colors and finishes have no limits, in fact space then for porcelain stoneware wood effect or stone effect.
ADVANTAGES
Here is why the porcelain stoneware floors and walls are being made more and more often. Let’s briefly see the advantages:
- Easy to clean: porcelain stoneware does not stain because it does not absorb dirt. Very easy to clean with both natural and chemical detergents, without fear of damage as it does not absorb acids;
- Ecological: the production process does not require the use of chemical waterproofing products, it does not release radiation or harmful gases;
- Easy workability and versatility: the product is suitable for being cut, drilled and worked with great ease, as if it were natural stone. This makes it suitable for any use and form of customization;
- Available in a wide range of shapes, colors and finishes: from thickness to aesthetic finish, porcelain stoneware is produced in an infinite number of variations that make it extremely versatile and coordinated with the furniture choices;
- Advantageous price: its price is decidedly advantageous compared to other types of floor coverings: much cheaper then parquet and marble, this material is ideal for those who want to save money on home renovation without sacrificing the aesthetic impact;
- Aesthetic value: porcelain stoneware is very beautiful to look at: thanks to this material it is possible to reproduce with other surprising and realistic effects other types of materials such as wood, marble and stone.
DISADVANTAGES
The advantages of stoneware are many and we have just seen them, but obviously there are also some small inconveniences to take into account before choosing this type of flooring or wall covering for the home.
THERMIC INSULATION
Although porcelain stoneware may have some advantages in the case of underfloor heating, in the absence of this it is a material with low thermal insulation.
The parquet instead has excellent thermic insulation and consequently good ability to maintain the temperature, especially in particularly cold areas.
SOUNDPROOFING
The soundproofing of stoneware is significantly lower than traditional parquet. The latter manages to isolate the external noise very effectively.
TOUCH FEELING
Although some stoneware is almost indistinguishable aesthetically from real wood, the sensation of touch always remains an inimitable peculiarity of parquet.
Porcelain stoneware is in fact a cold and rigid material, the parquet on the other hand remains warm and soft giving a feeling of comfort when we step on it barefoot.
DIFFERENCES WITH CERAMICS
As you can easily guess, porcelain stoneware has some features that make it very similar to ceramic.
However, it also has specifications that totally differentiate it from traditional materials. Here are the main differences.
With the term ceramic all those products made of clay, sand, natural earth are identified, other minerals and water, subjected to various processes and firings. Precisely for this reason it is possible to find different ceramic variants, such as single-fired, double-fired and porcelain stoneware.
Single fired tiles are products where the glaze and the ceramic support is fired simultaneously, thus obtaining a certain finesse and very low production and transport costs.
The ease of cleaning is added to all these features. Double-fired tiles are defined as they are subject to two firings, where, the first one cooks the support and the second one the glaze.
These tiles differ from single-fired tiles in weight, the best gloss and greater color definition.
Finally, the stoneware is obtained by mixing different materials, such as clays, quartz and other minerals. This type of tile is very resistant and can be porcelain, glazed, with a smooth or lapped surface.
As for its characteristics, the stoneware absorbs little water, it is resistant to wear, frost, chemical attack and abrasion.
All these features make it suitable for floors subject to frequent trampling. The versatility of porcelain stoneware, going beyond what are the technical characteristics, is its aesthetic versatility.
This translates into finishes of various kinds, which reproduce the different conformations of other materials.
Therefore have a durable material made with the best technologies, but above all able to match any house style is an important advantage.
CONCLUSIONS
Therefore, if you intend to renovate your floor or revolutionize the cladding of your rooms, porcelain stoneware could be the right material for your purposes.
In fact, thanks to its many advantages, it can satisfy everyone’s furnishing needs.
Our advice, as always, is to contact an expert in the sector if you decide to make such invasive restructuring interventions.
The latter will surely be able to follow you and advise you throughout the design and implementation of the new floor or wall covering.
In addition, it will be able to advise you on the best type of stoneware to use, its durability, the price and all the information you consider important.
If you liked the article and you want to tell us about it, don’t hesitate to leave a comment! Furthermore, if you need more detailed and personalized advice, send an email to valeriadesign@casaomnia.it!