STONE-EFFECT TILES
UK tile manufacturer Johnson Tiles explains the benefits of choosing stone-effect porcelain and ceramic tiles over the real thing.
ROCK THE LOOK
With the ‘outdoors in’ trend showing no signs of slowing down, the aesthetic of stone is seemingly here to stay. Whether opting for 1970s-inspired decor or a Scandinavian minimalist palette, stone flooring can be a welcome addition to a range of settings. However, while the look of natural stone is appealing, there are many advantages that come with choosing a manmade material for commercial interiors rather than going for the real thing.
When it comes to natural products, there are a finite amount of visual combinations in terms of pattern and colour. With manufactured products, however, designers will take the best attributes of multiple materials and combine them to create the most appealing aesthetic possible.
From the opulence of marble to raw, industrial rock, any ‘look’ can now be achieved thanks to advancements in technology. At Johnson Tiles, we’ve invested heavily in industry-leading inkjet machinery for our factory, which allows us to replicate the appearance of all types of natural stone seamlessly.
While porcelain is water-resistant, natural stone tiles are porous, which in time can lead to staining and cracks. For this reason, quarried stone needs to be repeatedly sealed in order to resist water.
In places that are likely to be wet, such as bathrooms, food preparation areas, and lobby/receptions, porcelain serves as an easily-maintained solution. While floors of any kind will inevitably wear over time, porcelain will stay looking good for longer than natural alternatives, whilst also requiring less maintenance in the process.
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Health and safety measures are paramount in commercial interior design. A flooring solution must, of course, adhere to certain guidelines to be considered suitable for use. For areas where there is an increased chance of slipping, such as bathrooms and kitchens, a high slip-resistance is essential. Where the properties of natural stone cannot be altered, when it comes to porcelain, all considerations have been thought through upfront, allowing designers to specify a product that not only looks good but is safe too.
Compared to ceramic and porcelain, natural stone is widely considered to be an expensive product – both in terms of the material itself being labour-intensive to quarry, and the cost of installation being high due to a ‘pre-sealing’ requirement. In addition, a thicker adhesive may be needed to combat any irregularities in the stone.
On the other hand, porcelain – as a product manufactured on a large scale – can offer extremely competitive pricing. It also requires less adhesive than stone due to its smooth, quality-controlled finish, allowing for savings in both cost and time.
So, while there’s no denying the visual qualities of natural stone, there are some attributes that are less practical. Advances in technology have led to the rise in quality, manmade alternatives such as porcelain tiles, meaning specifiers can now have the best of both worlds in one seamless solution that truly rocks.
www.johnson-tiles.com
www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk
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