Technical features

Porcelain stoneware is one of the most popular finishing materials worldwide. Natural mineral raw materials are used in the production of porcelain: white clays, kaolin clays, quartz sand and feldspar, but also pigments added to give the tiles specific colors and shades. The result of the initial mixture, known as slip, is pressed at a high pressure of over 5000 tons per square meter, and then fired at extreme temperatures surpassing 1250°C). During the production process, porcelain stoneware gradually acquires its unique technical characteristics.

Slipperiness (R) - DIN 51130

For products:
Full-body and full-body coloured porcelain stoneware classified UGL

Antislip properties for shod feet is a characteristic that affects the health and safety of the users of ceramic floor coverings. The antislip coefficients indicated by the R value classify products in relation to the specific needs of their intended use, in increasing order of slipperiness with reference to industrial and commercial environments in particular. In this test, an operator stands on a horizontal tiled surface that has been oiled. The operator, wearing special footwear, remains on the surface while it is being tilted until he begins to slip. The following classification is determined by the angle of the tiled surface when he starts slipping:

 

ANGLE CLASSIFICATION INTENDED USE
a<6°  Not classified Indoor residential and commercial with internal access
6°≤a≤10°  R9 Indoor areas, entrances and staircases with outdoor access
10°≤a≤19° R10 Communal areas with moisture (showers, garages),сovered outdoor areas
19°≤a≤27°  R11 Working environments with large amounts of water, laboratories,uncovered outdoor areas
27°≤a≤35° R12 Working environments using slippery substances
a>35°  R13 Environments with large quantities of oils and fats

Slipperiness - DIN 51097

For products:
Full-body and full-body coloured porcelain stoneware classified UGL

This slip resistance test method is a procedure that establishes tiles’ compliance with the requirements for installation in premises where people walk around barefoot, such as swimming-pools, spas, changing-rooms, etc.This property affects the health and safety of the users of ceramic floor coverings. The tiles are fitted on a horizontal surface and are wet with a solution (1 g/l of wetting agent + water). The operator (who is barefoot), stands on the surface while it is being tilted until he begins to slip: the angle when the slipping starts determines the following classification:

ANGLE CLASSIFICATION INTENDED USE
a<12° Not classified Changing-rooms, barefoot access zones, etc
12°≤a≤18° A Showers, edges of swimming-pools etc
18°≤a≤24° B (A+B) Docce, bordi piscina, etc
a≤24°  C (A+B+C)

Underwater sloping swimming-pool edges,submerged steps, zones where water may stagnate

VSHADE - Tile Shade Variation

The term “shade variation” is the differences in the colour and/or texture on surface you see with the tiles in any one collection.
There are four categories of variations in shading and the various collections are classed with one of these:

  CLASSIFICATION

V1 – UNIFORM APPEARANCE

The colour and texture of the tiles is uniform. Differences among pieces from the same production run are minimal.

V2 – SLIGHT VARIATION

Clearly distinguishable differences in texture and/or pattern within similar colors. The colour of the tiles is basically uniform with some shading in similar tones.

V3 – MODERATE VARIATION

While the colors present on a single piece of tile will be indicative of the colors to be expected on the other tiles, the amount of colors on each piece may vary significantly. For example “that little bit of color” on one piece of tile may be the primary color on the next piece. The product has deliberately moderate texture variation in the shading, resulting from the original grain or veining of the natural materials, or produced to suggest vintage effects, an aged look or a particular texture.

V4 – SUBSTANTIAL VARIATION

Random color/texture differences from tile to tile, so that one tile may have totally different colors/ graphics from that of other tiles. Thus the final installation will be unique. The evident contrasts are used to depict the natural and cultural references that inspired the collections.

 

Dimensional characteristics - UNI EN ISO 10545-2

For products: all
The dimensional characteristics of the ceramic tiles are a set of parameters that identify the geometry.
UNI EN ISO 10545-2 plans to run:
1. measures relating to the sides:
  • dimensions of the sides and thickness;
  • straightness of edges: checked by verifying that the sides do not have bends towards outwards or inwards, in the plane of the tile;
  • squareness: checked by verifying that the sides of the tile are perpendicular to each other.
2. measures on flatness:
  • central bending (distance from the center of the tile from floor identified by 3 of 4 corners);
  • edge curvature (distance from the center of the edge from the floor where they lie 3 of 4 corners).

Water Absorption - UNI EN ISO 10545-3

For products:all
Absorption is the ceramic product capacity for water penetration.
Obviously, this is greatly important for the determination of the product mechanical features.
Porcelain stoneware belongs to BIa group that identifies a water absorption value: EB < 0.5%

Deep abrasion  resistance - UNI EN ISO 10545-6

For products: Full-body and full-body coloured porcelain stoneware classified UGL
This test is done on unglazed surfaces (UGL) and aims to determine the quantity of material removed by the action of an abrasive disc (150 revs). The less material removed by the disc implies a stronger ceramic product.

Bending resistance - UNI EN ISO 10545-4

For products: all
Bending resistance is the maximum load applied at three points that the tile can bear without breaking. The level is expressed in N/mm2. Porcelain stoneware belongs to BIa group that identifies a bending resistance value: Rb > 35 N/mm2 S > 1300 N

The advantages of porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware is the most advanced ceramic product to date. Its characteristics, which include zero water absorption, frost resistance, increased abrasion resistance, durability,  and availability of large formats, will allow you to create coordinated solutions for floors and walls, both in interiors and exteriors.

DISCOVER ADVANTAGES

Calibers

A tile’s caliber indicates its real size. After rectification a real sizes tend to be slightly smaller than the nominal ones.

DISCOVER

Frequently asked questions

Each surface possessing its own particular aesthetic and practical qualities. For example, gloss finish emphasizes a color and a pattern the tile, but tiles with this finish have certain restrictions for the laying due to its low slip resistance. Grip or structured finishes emphasize the rustic effect and the beauty of natural stone, and at the same time have high anti-slip properties, that make them ideal for exterior use, entrance zone and stairs, swimming pools, spa and shower.

The slip resistance and the level of safety of porcelain stoneware are determined by the classifications R and A + B + C. The least slippery are structured and grip finishes, and they have a value R> 11. Porcelain stoneware with these types of finishes are recommended for exteriors such as balconies, walkways, parking, barbecue area, swimming pool and landscape design. Matte or natural finishes, as a rule, have a value R9, and can be used for interiors, except the places with an elevated water content. Glossy finishes can be used only for interiors, except the places with an elevated water content, and are not recommended for use in gaming areas as a floor covering.

It is recommended to use a porcelain stoneware with a structured or grip finish for the flooring of professional kitchens (restaurants, cafes, bars, etc.), that guarantees a non-slippery surface and ensures safety. For private kitchens, you can use porcelain stoneware with any kind of surface: natural, glossy or grip. There are no any restrictions for choosing a tile surface for walls or splashbacks.

Nel bagno si raccomanda di usare il gres porcellanato sia per la pavimentazione che per il rivestimento delle pareti, a causa dell’assorbimento di acqua vicino allo zero e della resistenza all’esposizione chimica. Però per la posa sul pavimento è preferibile usare il gres porcellanato con la superficie opaca/naturale oppure strutturata per garantire le proprietà antisdrucciolevoli e la sicurezza in uso. Per il rivestimento delle pareti si può usare il gres porcellanato con qualunque tipo di superficie.

Lapping (lapped) is the mechanical process on porcelain stoneware, which gives to the tiles a slightly glossy effect without losing the typical opacity of the tile. The peculiarity of this process is that it allows to maintain the natural look of the tile surface, thus enhancing the aesthetics of the surface effects such as the effect of wood or the stone effect.

Tiles are produced according to the nominal dimensions. The caliber is the actual size of the tiles found in the boxes. When you are buying porcelain stoneware you need to consider caliber off all tiles present in a laying scheme: the calibers must be the same. If you want to combine more colors or you want to place decorative elements together with tiles in the same room, tell it our partners in the stores to choose the tiles and the decorations of the same caliber.

Porcelain stoneware consists exclusively of natural components: kaolin clays, kaolins, sand, feldspars and pigments. it is not possible to predict how these natural materials will behave in the process of pressing at high pressure and subsequent firing at a temperature of 1250 degrees. It is for that reason that, after finishing the technological cycle, porcelain stoneware is chosen not only according to the caliber, but also according to the shade. Before starting the installation of the porcelain stoneware, check that you have purchased the tiles in the same shade. To do this, look at  the information on the packaging. It is important that all boxes have the same reference - «AB4» or «А48», etc. This is is the specification of the shade. To obtain the perfect aesthetic result, Italon recommends buying porcelain stoneware of the same shade.

The whole range of Italon porcelain stoneware is suitable for facades from the standpoint of resistance to cold and of incombustibility. However, for the facades, rectified porcelain stoneware is recommended as it allows to install the installation system in advance as well as to use the various colors and surfaces on the same facade. For the installation of the facade system on underfloor fixings it is recommended to apply the 20 mm gr2 porcelain stoneware, which can be worked without the significant loss of resistant characteristics of the tiles.

We recommend leaving space between tiles. The grout joints may vary in width depending on the size of the tiles as well as the intended use of the floor. We always recommend leaving some space: 1,5-2 mm between rectified tiles, and at least 3 mm between non-rectified tiles. The use of grout of an appropriate color, to go with your tiles, will actually highlight the beauty of your surfaces.

Is it possible to lay the porcelain tile on the floor with underfloor heating?

Porcelain stoneware works perfectly in the floor with water or electricity heating system. Thanks to the extremely low coefficient of linear thermal expansion, porcelain stoneware does not deform during the heating and cooling cycles. Furthermore, porcelain stoneware does not change its appearance due to thermal exposure.

During the installation it is necessary to respect 3 rules:

  1. Use a special glue for heated floors with floor heating systems.
  2. Use the ideal glue for the size used.
  3. Respect the expansion joint recommended by the manufacturer. Lay the Italon porcelain stoneware with the 2mm joint on the heated floor.

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