The bathroom goes beyond being a simple area of the home dedicated to personal hygiene. It serves as both the beginning and end of your day, it represents a genuine sanctuary for wellness, revitalization, and serenity. When it comes to crafting or renovating this space, selecting the finest materials is crucial. Among the numerous options available today, there’s a standout choice for the flooring: porcelain stoneware.
Porcelain stoneware, commonly referred to as “grès porcellanato” in Italian, has always been a popular choice for bathroom flooring, thanks to its durability and endless design possibilities. Whether you’re planning a bathroom renovation or creating a brand-new space, here’s why porcelain stoneware deserves a prime spot on your priority list.
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Porcelain stoneware is resistant and durable
The exceptional durability of porcelain stoneware sets it apart from other flooring choices. Unlike many alternatives, porcelain stoneware boasts remarkable resilience. This can be attributed to its production method, involving the firing of refined clay and natural materials at high temperatures, typically ranging from 1200 to 1400 degrees Celsius. The outcome is a compact, vitrified substance with minimal porosity: a tile that exhibits extraordinary resistance against scratches, cracks, chemicals, and abrasion.
The durability of porcelain stoneware is often assessed using the MOHS scale, which measures the hardness of minerals. Typically, porcelain stoneware ranks between 7 and 8, with 10 representing the highest hardness (diamond). This demonstrates its exceptional capacity to endure impacts and resist abrasion, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas such as bathrooms that experience frequent daily use.
Longevity is another key attribute that adds to the allure of porcelain stoneware. With proper installation and maintenance, these tiles can endure for several decades. Although the initial cost may be higher compared to certain other materials, the long-term cost-effectiveness of porcelain stoneware becomes evident. Its ability to retain its aesthetic appeal over time makes it a wise investment for your bathroom, ensuring that your tiles withstand the test of time without compromising on style.
Furthermore, porcelain stoneware exhibits excellent resistance to UV light, ensuring that it maintains its vibrant color and avoids discoloration even with prolonged exposure. This attribute proves particularly advantageous in bathrooms that receive ample natural light. Nevertheless, it is advisable to select tiles from a reputable manufacturer that upholds the highest quality standards. This ensures that you acquire tiles that deliver the superior durability and long-lasting performance that porcelain stoneware is renowned for.
Porcelain tiles demonstrate exceptional resistance to water and humidity
The bathroom, being a space with high humidity and regular water exposure, demands flooring that is resistant to water. In this regard, porcelain stoneware emerges as an ideal choice. Its low porosity renders it virtually impermeable to water, making it highly suitable for such environments.
Porcelain stoneware is completely waterproof, ensuring no water penetration and safeguarding the floor against potential water-related harm. This translates to no unsightly stains or watermarks and, importantly, reduces the risk of mold and mildew growth.
Moreover, ceramic is highly hygienic and effortlessly easy to clean, responding well to any type of detergent, including the most potent ones. Its non-absorbent nature prevents the accumulation of moisture and unpleasant odors, contributing to improve air quality in your bathroom.
Ceramic is not only easy to maintain but also possesses aesthetic charm
Nobody desires to spend excessive time cleaning and sanitizing bathroom tiles or floors. The great news is that porcelain stoneware requires minimal effort when it comes to maintenance.
The glossy and durable surface of porcelain stoneware is highly resistant to stains and does not retain dirt or dust. Regular cleaning with a broom or vacuum, complemented by occasional mopping, is typically all that is required to maintain the pristine appearance of porcelain stoneware floors. Moreover, there is no need for specialized cleaners, as a simple solution of warm water and mild detergent is ample for effective cleaning.
Furthermore, porcelain stoneware goes beyond its remarkable durability and longevity, as it also boasts substantial aesthetic allure. With an extensive array of colors, patterns, and finishes to choose from, there is a tile to suit every design inclination, be it minimalist, rustic, contemporary, or traditional.
Whether you aspire for a natural stone appearance, a wooden effect, or a geometric motif, porcelain stoneware offers an abundance of options. This versatility empowers you to craft a bespoke look for your bathroom that truly reflects your personal style.
Ceramiche Refin, Italian tiles for homes and bathrooms since 1962
When it comes to sourcing elegant porcelain stoneware collections for both residential and project-based requirements, Ceramiche Refin provides an array of solutions to cater to diverse needs. With a presence in the global market since 1962, the Italian company offers an extensive range of porcelain tile solutions, drawing inspiration from a wide range of natural materials, including marble, wood, slate, and terracotta.
Ceramiche Refin exports the essence of Made in Italy design, encompassing meticulous attention to detail, elegance, environmental responsibility, and innovation worldwide. The company produces more than 8 million m² of porcelain tiles every year, thanks to avant-garde machinery for the creation of surface graphics and post-manufacturing processes.
The offer includes many options, such as modern and elegant bathroom floor tiles. These products interpret tactile and sensual emotions and feelings and represent the ideal choice for those who are more responsive to the shapes and colors of nature. Completely waterproof, easy to clean and hygienic, porcelain stoneware by Ceramiche Refin is available in multiple sizes, from the smallest, most traditional, to the large slabs, in a wide selection of looks, textures and finishes.
As regards the collections, we can mention Orobica. It interprets the famous stone quarried in the Grè locality on the slopes of Monte Clemo, on the north-western shore of Lake Iseo. The material is characterized by the presence of irregularly distributed stones of different sizes. The peculiar wavy effect is emphasized through a decisive alternation of elements. In addition, there are pebbles of warmer shades, which contribute to an even more varied and dynamic surface.
Another interesting option? Venice, with its history and its own fascination, becomes the protagonist of an unprecedented collection with a gracefully vintage accent called Canal Grande. It reproduces the same depth and three-dimensionality of motorboats and Venetian taxis, traditionally made of mahogany. Canal Grande is offered in two finishes, balancing tradition, and modernity: Soft and Glossy.
Soft is characterized by a matt effect that softens contrasts and offers a more modern visual result, while Glossy instantly recalls the wood of the boats that inspired the collection, reflects the ambient light, and adds depth.
