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These are some of the toughest flooring options available. Hard, dense, and solid, porcelain is resistant to most heavy impact stresses, and can even be used in commercial environments. In general, this material should be classified with a PEI rating of at least 5, making it suitable for high traffic spaces and heavy equipment use.
A huge benefit of porcelain tiles is how little maintenance they need to keep their good looks. They don’t need any sealing, waxing or polishing when they’re laid or on-going. Unlike carpet, there’s nowhere for dust to hide so the vacuum won’t be out every five minutes. Even textured porcelain tiles are a doddle to sweep clean with a brush. And if you think your tiles do need a clean put those nasty chemicals away – a damp mop and warm water will do the trick.
The non-porous and easy clean surfaces of porcelain tiles mean it is hygienic and suitable for bathrooms and kitchens alike.
The density of porcelain makes it more resistant to liquid penetration than other more porous types of ceramic. This can be increased through the application of a melted glass glaze, which will make any surface it is adhered to completely impervious to water.
Another advantage of porcelain flooring is that it is naturally stain resistant. Being able to repel liquid penetration means that staining agents can’t easily penetrate down through the material dimensionally. When glazed this effect is even more dramatic, making it nearly impossible to discolour the surface of these tiles.
Unlike laminate or real wood floors which can rot and swell when exposed to moisture, wood effect tiles are completely non porous and unaffected by water. So they be used safely in bathroom and other areas which frequently get wet, such as balconies, patios and swimming pools.
Contemporary extensions blur the traditional boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. One of the best ways to achieve this look is to use the same porcelain tile inside your living space and on your patio. Porcelain tile’s won’t crack in cold weather nor fade when the sun shines. In fact, they’ll cope with anything our inclement British weather throws at them! Given our wet climate, it’s a good idea to choose a slip resistant design so get in touch if you need any help.
Designers love using underfloor heating as it allows them to lose ugly radiators and open up more valuable wall space. However, we think underfloor heating mats should be an affordable luxury and not just reserved for Grand Designs. Using porcelain tiles with underfloor heating mats means you’ll experience a more comfortable, radiant heat than traditional radiators and you’ll be able to ‘zone off’ different rooms for greater energy efficiency and lower bills.
Porcelain tiles are a great choice for the environment as There’s a number of reasons why porcelain tiles are better for the environment than almost any other wall or floor covering. We’ve carefully chosen to source tiles from European factories that care about our planet and work hard to reduce their impact – for example, waste glass bottles and TV screens are recycled into tiles rather than being sent to landfill. Unlike other floors, porcelain tiles are inert and don’t give off nasty VOCs that harm the atmosphere. Nor do they need to be treated or cleaned with chemicals – warm water should suffice for daily cleaning.
Porcelain does not burn under any normal conditions, and these floors can help to restrict the transference and movement of flames if a fire breaks out.
If properly installed and maintained, porcelain has the ability to last for decades of recommended use. This cuts down on the periodic cost of removal and replacement.
