More popular than ever,
porcelain tiles have become one of the most popular options among those who want to decorate their
home or office with flexibility and practicality. After all, this
very popular covering has established itself as a timeless element, capable of adapting to
different styles and circumstances .
Livia Bortoncello - Pied-à-Terre. Projeto da CASACOR Rio Grande do Sul 2022. (Cristiano Bauce/CASACOR)
Porcelain tiles are known for their
democratic nature , present in everything from simpler projects to more luxurious and refined spaces. The main reason for this is their
fine finish and the possibility of colors to suit all tastes.
Deborah Pinheiro Arquitetura - Espaço DECA. O espaço criado busca despertar o ânimo perdido depois de tempos difíceis. O ambiente de 144 m² se inspira na cobertura do Palácio do Itamaraty, é contemporâneo e traz referências modernistas. Utiliza cores neutras, linhas elegantes, jardins e luz natural. A tradição de Athos Bulcão e Burle Marx aparece no painel em lastras de porcelanato. A piscina é o destaque ao fazer a transição de espaço. Há ainda obras do artista belga Gauthier D’Ydewalle e dos brasileiros Daisy Xavier e Ricardo Homem. (Edgard Cesar/CASACOR)
Another point that draws attention to porcelain tiles is the fact that they adapt to different surfaces and environments – both
indoor and outdoor areas .
Em sua estreia na mostra, o designer de interiores Jorge Carneiro criou um ambiente para pessoas com mais de 30 anos. Com 105 m², o espaço foi projetado a partir do olhar pós-pandemia e da redescoberta da alegria de receber em casa. Linhas curvas, espaço integrado, papéis de parede dourado que criam texturas exclusivas, iluminação pontual, tapetes e piso em porcelanato, lançamento 2022. Materiais recicláveis e de descarte ganham ares sofisticados. Destacam-se a mesa de centro em mármore com folha de ouro e as obras de arte assinadas por Fernanda Namam. (Edgard Cesar/CASACOR)
We have prepared this guide with everything you need to know about porcelain and the characteristics of this material of the moment. Check it out below!
After all, what is porcelain?
Diogo Viana Arquitetos - Galeria dos Artesãos. Projeto da CASACOR Pernambuco 2022. (MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)
Even if you haven't used porcelain tiles for any project, you've undoubtedly heard of the material, but do you know where it comes from? The truth is that
porcelain tiles are older than you might think . They first appeared in Europe in the 1980s – and just ten years later, they were already being produced here in Brazil.
Gilson Freire e Mariana Jardim - Casa Ipê. Projeto da CASACOR Brasília 2021. (Haruo Mikami/CASACOR)
The reason for this is due to Brazil's wealth in one of the most abundant raw materials for creating porcelain tiles:
ceramic . From the mixture of
clay, quartz and other stones that, when subjected to high temperatures (above 1200ºC) gain more resistance, hardness and are
transformed into porcelain . In this way, the previously rough material gains a finer and smoother surface, which is mainly responsible for bringing an attractive aesthetic to porcelain tiles used in interior decoration.
Where to use porcelain tiles?
Floors and walls are the places where we usually find porcelain tiles, but this is not limited to this. Nowadays, this covering offers more possibilities, and can be present in different elements such as
countertops, islands or even panels .
Léo Shehtman - Luz e Sombra. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2022. (Marina Pires/CASACOR)
To make the right choice, it is important
to look for the porcelain tile that best suits a specific purpose . For example, in the case of porcelain tiles used for
kitchen or bathroom countertops , it is important to choose a rougher, more textured material, as a smooth finish can get in the way of daily tasks.
In which environments can I place porcelain tiles?
Livraria, por Victor Niskier- Ambiente da CASACOR Rio 2022 (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
Living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and even outdoor areas can have porcelain tiles – whether on the walls or on the floor. However, it is necessary to choose different types for each situation. In environments designed for
entertaining or relaxing (such as bedrooms and living rooms), smoother porcelain tiles work very well. There are options that imitate wood and even stones such as marble, capable of ensuring elegance and comfort.
Cioli Stancioli - Banheiro Público. CASACOR Minas Gerais 2022 (Daniel Mansur/CASACOR)
For "wet" areas such as the
kitchen and bathroom , which may be accessed a lot during the day, the ideal is to choose textured porcelain tiles to avoid falls and accidents.
Portinari: inspirada na madeira, a coleção Nidus – Ninho no latim – aquece os espaços contribuindo para a sensação de bem-estar. São porcelanatos em formato de régua alongada, com nós que dão movimento e naturalidade para as paginações. (Divulgação/CASACOR)
For
outdoor areas , the rules are practically the same as for wet areas, but it is important to look for a model that is resistant and can withstand
atypical conditions such as
sunlight, rain or wind . Porcelain tiles are known as porous materials with low water absorption, so there are many options for
balconies and terraces .
Durability
Vilaville Arquitetura - Banho Zahir. O banheiro das arquitetas Fabiana Villegas e Gabriela Vilarrubia tem como base as formas da natureza e a pedra ônix. (Gabriela Daltro/CASACOR)
When you buy a coating, you want it to last a lifetime. We know that in practice, it is almost impossible for this to happen, but with the right care when it comes to
maintenance ,
porcelain tiles are quite likely to have greater hardness . The good news is that simplicity is the best tool for preserving your porcelain tiles, as you don't need several products to clean them: a
mild soap and a damp cloth are enough to preserve the coating.
