What sets porcelain apart: water absorption rate
Porcelain is produced by firing fine-grained clay at high pressure and temperature. The resulting body is almost non-porous; it does not absorb water, does not take in stains and resists surface wear longer than ceramic. For this reason, it is preferred on heavily used floors such as entrance halls, hallways and kitchens.
What a rectified edge means
Rectification is the precise cutting of a tile's edges after firing. Because all pieces are exactly the same size, they can be laid with a joint as thin as 2 mm and the surface looks almost seamless. On the other hand, a thin joint requires a very flat floor; on a poorly leveled floor, edge differences show immediately.
Points to note during installation
- Porcelain is a hard material; for cutting, use a water-cooled, diamond-tipped blade. Dry cutting cracks the edge.
- Use an adhesive made for non-absorbent surfaces, preferably flexible; standard cement mortar does not provide sufficient grip.
- Choose a matte or textured surface for wet area floors; glossy porcelain becomes slippery when wet.
Care
Porcelain does not require sealing. Sweeping and damp mopping are sufficient for daily care. A tile cleaner can be used for limescale marks. The only point that needs maintenance is the grout; using waterproof grout and renewing grout that darkens over time preserves the look of the surface.
Box calculation and waste allowance
Where porcelain, where ceramic
The extra cost of porcelain does not pay off everywhere. On high-traffic surfaces such as entrance halls, hallways, kitchen floors and areas opening to the outdoors, porcelain's wear resistance makes a difference. In contrast, in low-traffic places such as bathroom walls, backsplashes and bedrooms, ceramic does the same job. Make the decision based on the intensity of use of the space.
Tiles are priced per square meter and sold in boxes; mosaic sheets, borders and accessories are priced per piece. Enter the square meters you need in the calculator on the product page; it finds how many boxes you need and adds the waste allowance. The allowance we recommend is between 10 and 15 percent.
