Porcelain Stoneware

Porcelain stoneware is an extremely versatile ceramic material, highly prized for its technical, aesthetic and functional characteristics. Used for both floor and wall coverings, it is an ideal solution for anyone wishing to create surfaces with beauty that will last over time. What makes this material unique and innovative?

Porcelain stoneware is a compact, hard, non-porous ceramic material made from a mixture of clays, quartzes, feldspars and other minerals, which is pressed and then fired at high temperatures. This process gives the material an extremely strong, dense structure, making it perfect for a variety of applications, both indoors and outdoors.

Porcelain Stoneware Production Process

The production of porcelain stoneware starts with selection of the raw materials, which are ground and blended to obtain a uniform powder. This powder is pressed at very high pressures to form the tile body.

Tiles are then fired in kilns at temperatures of over 1200 °C, a process which makes them exceptionally strong and compact. One of the most advanced technologies applied in the production process is digital printing, which is able to decorate surfaces with extremely realistic patterning, accurately reproducing the look of materials such as wood, marble, concrete or natural stone. As a result, the tiles produced are not only extremely durable but also exquisite in appearance and suitable for any design project.

Indoor Applications of Porcelain Stoneware

Porcelain stoneware is widely used indoors due to its versatility and its infinite potentials for personalisation. In residential contexts it is often used for the floors and walls of kitchens, bathrooms and living-rooms, thanks to its resistance to stains and everyday wear and tear.

For example, large stoneware slabs, of the kind offered by Marca Corona, offer elegant, continuous surfaces that make spaces appear larger, and are therefore ideal for contemporary, modern design schemes.

In public or commercial locations, porcelain stoneware is an excellent choice for heavily used floors such as those of hotel lobbies, offices, shops and restaurants. Thanks to its strength and the wide variety of aesthetic effects available, stoneware enables the creation of attractive, professional interiors without sacrificing convenience.

Outdoor Applications of Porcelain Stoneware

For outdoor applications, porcelain stoneware provides outstanding resistance to the elements, including rain, frost and thermal shock. Marca Corona offers specific solutions for outdoor use, such as anti-slip, extra-thick porcelain stoneware, perfect for outdoor paved areas, terraces, gardens and pool edges.

These tiles guarantee safety combined with an aesthetic that blends into the surrounding environment, with finishes able to reproduce natural and contemporary materials while retaining all the durability characteristics of stoneware.

In architecture, stoneware is often used for ventilated facades, a construction system that improves buildings’ thermal and acoustic insulation, with impressive improvements in energy efficiency.

Ventilated facades constructed with stoneware tiles also provide a striking aesthetic impact, since they are available in a wide range of colours and textures and can beautify buildings with elegant, sustainable solutions.

Porcelain stoneware is famed for its resistance to scratches, impacts and chemicals, apart from being waterproof and immune to thermal shock. Its surface can be finished in various ways to suit any style, from classical to modern. This material is ideal for anyone seeking a floor, paving or wall covering that combines elegance with durability.

The durability of porcelain stoneware

One of porcelain stoneware’s main characteristics is its amazing strength, reflected in outstanding durability. In normal conditions of use and maintenance, a porcelain stoneware floor covering can easily last more than 20-30 years with no noticeable signs of wear. This makes it an ideal investment for anyone looking for a material that retains its beauty over time, with no need for frequent replacements or repairs.

Stoneware’s actual lifetime also depends on factors such as the type of use (residential or commercial), the intensity of the traffic it is exposed to and the quality of its installation.

Porcelain stoneware is particularly suitable for heavily-used locations like shopping centres or offices thanks to its excellent resistance to scratches, impacts and stains.

Porcelain stoneware: which is the right thickness?

Porcelain stoneware’s thickness is a crucial factor in its strength and its suitability for various applications.

Generally, porcelain stoneware is available in thicknesses that vary from 6 mm to 20 mm, and the type of use is all-important when choosing the right thickness.

Residential Interiors: for indoor floor and wall coverings in residential contexts, a thickness of 8-10 mm is generally sufficient. This size provides satisfactory resistance to daily wear and tear without reducing ease of installation.

Commercial or heavily-used areas: in commercial or heavily-used locations like shops or offices, it is advisable to opt for higher thicknesses, around 10-12 mm, for greater strength and durability.

Outdoor Applications and Large Slabs: for outdoor applications or for large slabs, a thickness of 20 mm is ideal. This type of stoneware is perfect for outdoor paved areas, pool edges and gardens, where the material must be weatherproof and withstand weight without deformation.

Designs and sizes available

One of porcelain stoneware’s greatest strengths is its amazing variety of designs and sizes, which allow users to personalise any location to suit their own taste and the needs of the project. Ceramics industry leader Marca Corona offers a wide range of porcelain stoneware collections running from the most traditional effects to modern, innovative looks, combining style and function in elegant, durable solutions.

Designs inspired by natural materials: wood, marble, stone and concrete

Marca Corona’s porcelain stoneware collections accurately reproduce the look of natural materials, in surfaces that combine the beauty of nature with the technical characteristics of stoneware. 

Wood Effect: wood-effect porcelain stoneware tiles are perfect for anyone wishing to re-create the warm, welcoming mood of parquet but with the strength and easy care of stoneware. Available in various shades, from light oak to dark walnut, these surfaces are ideal for residential and commercial locations, with solutions that range from the classical to the contemporary.

Marble Effect: Marca Corona’s marble-effect porcelain stoneware reproduces the veining and details of the finest natural stones, such as Calacatta, Carrara and Marquinia marbles. These surfaces are ideal for anyone wishing to achieve an elegant, timeless style, perfect for floors, walls and luxury interior design projects.

Stone Effect: Marca Corona’s stone-effect collections are intended to re-create rustic, natural moods, with finishes that evoke slates, quartzites and other natural stones. These stonewares are ideal for indoor and outdoor locations, with visual continuity across the various areas.

Concrete Effect: concrete-effect stoneware is the perfect choice for anyone aiming to design an interior with a modern, industrial look. Marca Corona offers a vast range of surfaces that evoke concrete, with matt, textured finishes that bestow character and personality on design schemes.

Trendy collections: Venetian Terrazzo, Resin and Metal

As well as the “standard” natural materials, Marca Corona also produces solutions with high design values inspired by the latest trends.

Venetian Terrazzo Effect: Venetian Terrazzo-effect porcelain stoneware recalls the timeless style of the city’s famous flooring material, reinterpreted for modern taste with a mix of colours and different particle sizes. This solution is ideal for anyone seeking an original, decorative surfaces that can play the key role in interior design.

Resin Effect: resin-effect surfaces offer a minimalist, contemporary look, perfect for modern, sophisticated interiors. These tiles have a smooth, continuous finish which gives interiors a lighter, brighter mood, making them perfect for both residential and commercial locations.

Metal Effect: Marca Corona’s metal-effect porcelain stoneware comprises surfaces with metallic glints ideal for adding a touch of glamour and industrial chic to any interior. These tiles are perfect for generating reflected light effects and providing floor and wall coverings with a note of originality.

Sizes available: from Large Slabs to Small Tiles

Marca Corona offers a vast range of sizes to meet the needs of projects of all kinds, from large floors to small decorative details.

Large Slabs: large porcelain stoneware slabs are perfect for creating continuous surfaces, without visible joints, which make interiors seem larger and brighter. These sizes, up to 120x240 cm and more, are ideal for covering walls and external facades, with a uniquely striking effect guaranteed.

Medium-Size Tiles: traditional sizes like 60x60 cm or 30x60 cm are perfect for covering the floors and walls of residential and commercial interiors. These sizes offer an excellent trade-off between ease of installation and aesthetic impact and are suitable for spaces of all kinds.

Small Sizes and Decors: small tiles, such as the 20x20 cm or hexagon sizes, are ideal for creating decorative details on floors or walls. These sizes are perfect for bathrooms, kitchens and backsplashes, and add a touch of personality and colour to design schemes.

Surface finishes: matt, glossy and structured

Porcelain stoneware’s surface finishes are fundamental for defining an interior’s character. Marca Corona offers a vast range of finishes, running from matt and satiny to shiny and glossy, and to structured surfaces which accurate replicate the textures of natural materials. These finishes enable the creative use of light and shade to generate unique visual effects, and fit attractively into every interior design style.

Thanks to the vast range of designs and sizes available, Marca Corona porcelain stoneware offers solutions for every context’s needs, from private homes to commercial premises and major architectural projects. Whether your style of choice is classical, modern or contemporary, you are sure to find exactly the right collection for you, with the ideal blend of harmony, beauty and practicality.

Be inspired by the many finishes and effects available to create unique interiors with immense visual impact.

What’s the difference between stoneware and porcelain stoneware?

Stoneware and porcelain stoneware are both ceramic materials used for floor and wall coverings, but they differ in their production process. Porcelain stoneware is a more refined, compact version of traditional stoneware, obtained by firing at higher temperatures. This makes it stronger, more impermeable to liquids and more durable than ordinary stoneware.

What’s the right thickness for a good porcelain stoneware?

The ideal thickness for a good porcelain stoneware varies depending on its use and the type of location. The recommended thickness for indoor floor coverings is between 8 and 10 mm, while for paving outdoor areas or heavily used zones, greater thicknesses of 10 mm and up to 20 mm may be useful.

How many years does porcelain stoneware last?

Porcelain stoneware is well known to be exceptionally durable and long-lasting. With the right maintenance it may even last for more than 50 years, with no change in its appearance or its functional characteristics.

What can’t I use on porcelain stoneware?

To avoid damaging the surface of porcelain stoneware, it is best not to use aggressive acid detergents, pure bleach, abrasive sponges and oily products which might stain or corrode the surface. Specially formulated cleaning products and soft cloths are the preferable option.

What’s the right routine cleaning process for porcelain stoneware?

All you need for routine cleaning of porcelain stoneware is warm water and a neutral detergent. Aggressive or oily products should not be used. A microfibre cloth or a soft brush can be used to remove the most stubborn dirt.

How can I recognise a quality stoneware?

Quality stoneware is recognised by a number of fundamental characteristics: its resistance to wear, its ability to absorb very little water (less than 0.5%), the uniformity of its colour and its veining throughout the body of the tile, and the precision of its calibration and squaring. High quality products are certified by international standards such as UNI EN 14411.

How wide does the joint in porcelain stoneware have to be?

The joint width of porcelain stoneware varies depending on the final appearance required and the installation method. In general, a joint of at least 2 mm for rectified and 3-4 mm for unrectified tiles is recommended.

How many types of porcelain stoneware are there?

There are various types of porcelain stoneware including:

• Glazed porcelain stoneware: with a coat of glaze that can create a vast range of aesthetic effects;
• Natural or technical porcelain stoneware: without glaze, particularly durable and suitable for heavily used locations;
• Wood, stone, marble and concrete-effect porcelain stoneware: this ceramic material can be processed to provide a vast range of aesthetic finishes which accurately reproduce natural or industrial materials;
• Polished or honed porcelain stoneware: it has a glossy or semi-glossy surface, ideal for creating elegant interiors.

Is porcelain stoneware suitable for outdoors?

Yes, porcelain stoneware is particularly suitable for use in outdoor locations thanks to its resistance to weather and frost and its low porosity, which makes it waterproof and resistant to thermal shock. For outdoors, an anti-slip porcelain stoneware specifically for outdoor surfaces is recommended.

Is porcelain stoneware environment-friendly?

Yes, porcelain stoneware is a an environment-friendly material. It is produced from natural raw materials such as clay, sand and minerals, and modern production processes comply with higher and higher environmental standards, reducing ecological impact. What’s more, porcelain stoneware is a durable material, meaning less need for replacement and disposal over time.