PORCELAIN TILES IN DISGUISE
Eloise Street, Online Marketing Executive at Hampshire Tile Warehouse, discusses the rise in the popularity of porcelain ‘effect’ paving.
Innovations in manufacturing, combined with the demand for more stylish paving options have given porcelain the chance to shine externally. Fade-proof, extremely strong and slip-resistant, porcelain offers the look of the paving that people want with less maintenance than other paving products. It can be used on traditional patios, terraces, balconies and around swimming pools in both residential and commercial applications.
Porcelain has gradually taken over the paving world, but the last year has seen large builders’ merchants and retailers filling their shelves with these products. It’s easy to see why the popularity of porcelain has increased; it’s hardwearing, low maintenance and available in a variety of sizes and styles. Installation methods differ between tilers and landscapers, but as its popularity increases so does the demand for easy and affordable fixing products.
To create a porcelain paving tile, you start with a fine powder made from natural clay, which is then pressed
and fired in a kiln at much higher temperatures than a standard ceramic tile – often up to 1200ºC. This turns the material into a glass-like substance which is why it is sometimes referred to as ‘vitrified paving’. Vitrification makes it impermeable to water which provides a range of benefits including stain and frost resistance.
The different designs are created using a range of processes during manufacturing. Firstly, a pigment will be added to the body, or biscuit, of the tile so that it closely matches the colour of the surface. If a surface texture is required, for example, riven or wood grain, this is pressed into the face of the tile using a large stamp.
Modern porcelain paving is becoming harder to distinguish from the organic materials that inspire it, thanks to innovations in digital printing. Photographs are taken of the original stone, wood or cement, which are then printed onto the face of the tile using ‘inks’ made from the same materials as the main body. This means that, when it is fired, the two layers melt together to create one solid piece. These tiles may be mistaken for glazed porcelain, but the multi-layered manufacturing process means that they are technically unglazed. Additional materials are occasionally added for increased slip-resistance, something that is necessary for the UK market.
Hampshire Tile Warehouse has been supplying porcelain paving through their showrooms and online outlets for five years, so they know a thing or two about it. This year they have added many new and exciting products to both their Valverdi Indoor-Out and PorcelPave ranges.
Valverdi Indoor-Out is a high-end range of co-ordinating indoor and outdoor porcelain designed for use with bi-fold doors to create seamless living spaces. 2018 has brought three new ranges to the Valverdi portfolio to create a collection of tiles in a range of finishes. Boutique, a terrazzo effect range made up of three colour options, is a little different from the traditional matte finish indoor- outdoor ranges as the internal tile has a modern polished finish. Also available are the new Copse wood-effect planks and contemporary Shard range.
PorcelPave is perfect for patios and landscaping projects and six new ranges have joined the already best-selling stone, cement and wood effect tiles this year. The new ranges include realistic slate-effect 600x600mm porcelain, an elegant silver travertine-effect tile and four new shades of wood-effect paving.
All Valverdi and PorcelPave tiles are available at The Tile Source or The London Tile Co. showrooms, or online via:
www.LondonTile.co.uk www.GreenGardenPaving.com
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www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk
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