The top 3 things to know about porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles are a popular choice for many homeowners and interior designers, but have you ever wondered why that is?
Aside from the wide variety of patterns and sizes, porcelain tiles are available in either a polished or glazed finish. The highly polished finish synonymous with porcelain tiles is achieved by grinding the surface of the tile with a diamond disk (polished porcelain) or by applying a layer of glaze to the tile before it goes into the kiln (glazed porcelain). What other elements are important to know about this stalwart of interior design? We explore the 3 things everyone should know about porcelain tiles in order to make the best choice for their project.
1. Durable
Porcelain tiles are harder and denser than other type of tiles like ceramic or hardbody, as it is manufactured with a specific type of clay that is fired at a high temperature. This makes them very durable and an excellent choice for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, entrance ways, passages and living areas.
2. Versatile
The manufacturing process of a porcelain tile extracts most of the water out of the tile, leaving it more stain- and water-resistant, and less likely to crack. Porcelain tiles are therefore usually recommended for tiling floors, but can also be used on walls, to tile fountains (indoor or outdoor), countertops and back-splashes. Porcelain tiles will also weather the changing seasons making them well-suited for use outdoors or when tiling from indoor to outdoor.
3. Low maintenance
As porcelain tiles are less likely to chip or crack, even when installed outdoors, they are a low maintenance floor covering. Additionally, any food mess or liquid spills which might possibly seep into other materials, will not stain a porcelain tile.
To maintain your porcelain tiles only requires the surface to be cleaned with water or a mild detergent, and spills can easily be wiped up with a damp cloth. It is worth bearing in mind that high gloss finishes are more vulnerable to scratches, so it is advisable to sweep floors of any abrasive dirt such as sand before mopping.
Whether polished or glazed, porcelain tiles are associated with creating elegant spaces. The fact that they are also durable, versatile and low maintenance are part of what make porcelain tiles a beautiful choice for both domestic and commercial spaces. Explore the
Etosha tile collection
to find your perfect porcelain tile inspiration.