This is a very compact product, vitrified throughout and with extremely low porosity. This last is an essential feature that lends the material excellent mechanical and chemical properties, making it frost resistant and therefore useable for outdoor flooring and walls in cold climates.

It is also highly resistant to chemical substances and cleaning agents. It resists abrasion well and has a high breakage threshold, making it ideal for high-transit and industrial areas. What is more, it is easy to clean and thus perfect for paving areas where hygiene is of prime importance.

The search for new effects has brought into being a whole range of finishes for the end product, such as polishing, which allows two variations on the finish of porcelain stoneware to be produced: natural and polished. Natural or unpolished stoneware is not treated at all after firing, so its appearance is natural, very much like the types of rock or stone that we have all come across in nature such as slate, marble and so on.

When the stoneware is polished it is polished after the last firing to give a high shine finish similar to the surface of polished marble.

Another treatment given to the final product is rectification, which today is also applied to other ceramic materials. Rectification allows the dimensions of the pieces to be adjusted, thereby producing geometric uniformity by avoiding problems of size discrepancy.

Bevelling the edges of the tiles or eliminating their side joints is another treatment that is widely used at the moment. It means that the pieces can be laid without spaces between them, which gives a high quality aesthetic finish.

Another kind of porcelain stoneware which has made great inroads into the international market in the last three years is porcelain based paving. Used especially because of its frost resistance and low porosity it is known as glazed porcelain stoneware. The product has become an alternative to glazed ceramic products and represents yet another opportunity for manufacturers that have so far made "traditional" porcelain stoneware.

Because of single firing technology which allows material of high technical specification to be produced, porcelain based paving is now being made all over the world. Treatments it is given include polishing, rectifying, satin finishing and bevelling the edges.

In Spain, production of porcelain stoneware is growing furiously and many manufacturers are investing in porcelain production facilities. One of the reasons that Porcelain Stoneware has been so successful is that the material offers both high technical specifications and greater aesthetic qualities.

Latest trends in porcelain stoneware
Introduction of large formats upto 90x120cm, opening up new possibilities for it to replace natural stone for facings, kitchen worktops and bathroom surfaces.

Research into its decorative effects is ongoing, with developments concentrating on rustic style products and mosaic. 

Various surface treatments are being applied to achieve innovative effects, such as rectifying, polishing, satin finishing etc.

Accessory pieces are becoming increasingly elaborate, with relief work the most significant development.

Pieces are now being pre-cut and mounted on mesh, enabling complex, highly decorative modular systems to be created.

Porcelain tile profile

Denomination
"Porcelain tile" is the general name for very low water absorption ceramic tiles that are dry pressed, unglazed and are produced by single firing.

Appearance
The tile is coloured right the way trough with uniform or granular distribution of the colour. It has a fine, homogeneous grain and the non-homogeneous elements (grains, inclusions, and pores) cannot be distinguished by the naked eye. The face of the tile, which is made of the same material as the body, may be brazen, mottled, marble-like or decorated.

The surfaces and edges are regular and well-finished. The square is currently the predominant shape, with smaller proportions of rectangles being made. The most common Commonly used special pieces that are now available as porcelain tiles include steps and skirtings.

Use
Porcelain stoneware tiles may be used as they are after firing, or their face may be polished to make it shine and look smooth. The face may have decorative relief (similar to natural stone) or be non-slip (diamond tips, grooves, angles...)

Production in Spain
Porcelain tiles are the most recent product on the market. Spanish production, which began in 1988, now offers a wide variety that is increasing in response to demand.

Classification standard
Due to its low porosity E < 0.5%, porcelain tiles will be included in group BIa according to ISO13006 and UNE EN 67-087 standards.