What is polished porcelain, how and where to use it?

The polished porcelain is one of the most used coverings in architecture and interior design due to its sophisticated appearance, high resistance, and versatility. With a shiny finish and elegant look, it brings modernity and spaciousness to the spaces, making it ideal for residential and corporate projects that seek a clean and sophisticated look.

What is polished porcelain?

Polished porcelain is a type of ceramic covering made from a mixture of clays, feldspar, quartz, and other minerals that are pressed and burned at high temperatures. After this process, the material undergoes a polishing stage with diamond discs, resulting in a smooth, shiny, and reflective surface.

This finish gives polished porcelain a luxurious look similar to marble, with the benefit of being more resistant, less porous, and more affordable. It is widely used in projects that seek sophistication without sacrificing practicality.

What is the origin and evolution of the material?

Polished porcelain emerged in Europe, especially in Italy, in the 1980s as a more resistant and refined alternative to traditional ceramic coverings. Over time, new technologies allowed the development of different finishes — among them polished, which quickly gained popularity due to its intense shine and refined appearance.

In Brazil, the use of polished porcelain became popular starting in the 2000s, especially in mid to high-end projects. Today, with a wide variety of formats, textures, and patterns, the material is manufactured locally with high quality and meets the needs of both commercial and residential projects.

Differences between polished, satin, and glazed porcelain

Although they are all types of porcelain, the finishes vary greatly:

Polished

Has an intense shine and reflective surface, ideal for dry projects and low dirt traffic.

Satin

Has a matte finish and a soft-touch, being more resistant to stains and suitable for humid areas and with intense circulation.

Glazed

Receives a protective glaze layer that can have a matte, glossy, or textured finish. It usually has more variety of patterns.

The choice between these options depends on the style of the project and the conditions of use of the projects.

Where to use polished porcelain?

Polished porcelain is indicated for internal and dry projects, such as:

• Living and dining rooms: its shine reflects natural and artificial light, visually expanding the space.

• Entrance hall: conveys elegance and sophistication upon arrival.

• Bedrooms: although more common in social areas, it can also be used in contemporary-style bedrooms.

• Internal corridors and offices: as long as the foot traffic is not intense and constant.

It is important to avoid its use in wet areas, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and balconies, as it can be slippery when wet.

How to properly apply polished porcelain?

The installation of polished porcelain requires attention to details to ensure a perfect finish and durability:

1. Base preparation: the subfloor must be level, clean, and dry. Irregularities can compromise the installation.

2. Appropriate mortar: use adhesive mortar specific for porcelains, usually of the type ACIII.

3. Precise cutting: the material is hard and requires appropriate tools, such as electric cutters with diamond discs.

4. Minimum joints: polished porcelain allows for very thin joints (between 1 and 2 mm), which helps create a more homogeneous look.

5. Post-construction cleaning: after installation, it is essential to remove all grout residues to avoid stains.

Specialized labor is essential to ensure impeccable results.

Care and maintenance of polished porcelain

Although resistant, polished porcelain requires some care to preserve its shine:

• Daily cleaning: use a soft bristle broom or vacuum and a damp cloth with neutral detergent.

• Avoid abrasives: products like bleach, sanitation water, scouring powders, or acid cleansers can stain or wear the polish.

• Attention to friction: furniture should have protectors on their feet, and rugs help reduce wear in passage areas.

• Scratches and stains: although resistant, the polished surface can scratch with sand or sharp objects. Mats are recommended at the entrances.

With proper maintenance, the covering keeps its beauty for many years.

Advantages and disadvantages of polished porcelain

Advantages:

• Sophisticated and elegant look

• Shine that enhances brightness

• High durability and resistance to abrasion

• Easy to clean on a daily basis

• Variety of patterns and colors

Disadvantages:

• Slippery surface when wet

• Can scratch more easily than satin versions

• Requires care with cleaning products

• Less recommended for outdoor or wet areas

These points should be considered when deciding on the application in the project.

CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content creation agent, developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.