Porcelain tiles are a tried, tested, and trusted building material. Aesthetically, it has a wide array of designs and finishing options. Practically, it is incredibly durable and stain resistant, making it the perfect material for worktop surfaces.
The hardwearing nature of porcelain lends itself to a variety of uses. It is less prone to etching and other damage, meaning it requires very little maintenance. The high performance of porcelain allows for the incorporation of beautiful design without compromising on functionality, offering a cost-effective option that is long-lasting.
Thin porcelain tiles provide all the benefits of classic porcelain tiles but in a lightweight, sleek package.
The basis of thin porcelain’s appeal lies in the material composition and manufacturing technique: they are formed from the dry dust of high-quality porcelain clays. The result is a tile which is harder, smoother, and with a finer grain. Their lightweight nature also makes them greatly beneficial for on-site handling.
When dealing with thin porcelain, two of the most crucial aspects are transportation and fabrication.
PORCELANOSA Group has a range of thin porcelain tiles that create an elegant and resilient environment that can be used in residential and commercial projects. W
ith more than 45 years’ experience, PORCELANOSA Group is one of the most prestigious ceramics manufacturers in the world, offering kitchen and bathroom furniture in over 970 stores across 150 countries. Throughout, consumers can see ongoing developments in the innovation and design of all its products.
Diversified production
Production diversification has played a key role in the growth of our business, which started with the production of a single product: ceramic tiles.
Today, the Group’s eight companies offer a vast product range that includes not just flooring, kitchen and bathroom equipment but also state-of-the-art building solutions for contemporary architecture.
L’Antic Colonial, part of the PORCELANOSA Group, specialises in the development of natural products, one of which is Airslate, a range of natural stone, wall covering laminates.
The exceptional range accommodates a variety of projects and functions. With a thickness of just 20 to 40mm, the laminates are easy to install and can also be placed on curved areas. Hardwearing, easy to maintain, and with excellent thermal conductivity, it is ideal for use in private homes, hotel rooms and an array of commercial projects.
Airslate is natural slate made into fine tiles and is made up of four different layers, one of which is covered in fibreglass to strengthen the tiles. Due to its adaptability, the Airslate series can be fitted to any type of space and surface. Its capacity to bend to a radius of up to 350mm means that the natural stone sheets can be fitted to curved and irregular surfaces, such as wash basins and columns.
The collection is available in two different sizes: 1,200 by 2,400mm and 600 by 1,200mm. There are eight different models within the Airslate range: Bombay, Delhi, Kathmandu, Forest, Kashmir, Metal, Graphite, and Patna.
XTONE® from Urbatek
Another of PORCELANOSA Group’s successful large format, thin porcelain tiles are the XTONE® range from Urbatek. Launched in 2019, XTONE® is synonymous with sophistication and functionality.
The high-performance material is made up of sintered porcelain with pure minerals that are compacted and created with the most advanced technological development – all the while featuring a stunning, avant-garde design.
Durable, stylish and practical, XTONE® is highly resistant to scratching with cutting utensils, as well as being stain and chemical resistant and is also easy to clean.
Its composition avoids the proliferation of fungi, bacteria, dirt accumulation and it resists high and low temperatures as well.
Furthermore, XTONE® provides a multitude of benefits and performs better than quartz, marble, granite, and other common solid surfaces.
XTONE® large format sheets are available in 6mm, 12mm and 20mm thicknesses, widening the scope for design in all types of surface such as countertops, furniture and façade cladding.
It allows for both horizontal and vertical continuity so, with over 20 collections available in several different tones, it is the perfect solution for all surfaces and countertops, whether they be for commercial or residential use.
Some of the most recent additions to the XTONE® range are Calcatta Green, Macauba, and Natura. Their natural and vibrant colour schemes, including dark meadow greens and sky blues, bring forth a sense of reconnecting with nature and the environment.
There is also the Endless collection, featuring 10 different colours, including Blue Roma, Black Cosmic and Roma Imperiale.
Urbatek also developed XLIGHT®, an extra-large format and minimum thickness porcelain tile that is suitable for wall cladding and a perfect choice for renovation projects due to its thickness.
XLIGHT® is a compact and durable material that is designed to cover façades, interior walls or movable enclosures. It is a lighter weight and has less absorption than a traditional tile.
Technical properties of XLIGHT®
Chemical resistant Unalterable to chemicals or gasses, preventing surface degeneration.
Low water absorption The low porosity of compact porcelain ensures zero liquid absorption. It also prevents the buildup of odours.
Easy to clean Easy maintenance without the need of special care products. Quality assured thanks to the material’s 10-year guarantee.
Stable aesthetics Resistant to UV rays; ensured unmatched dependability through time thanks to the stability of its colour.
Thermal resistance Stable to sudden changes in extreme temperatures, it is perfect for indoors and outdoors. It is resistant to direct contact with hot utensils, fire, or extreme frost.
Scratch and impact resistant Extremely resistant to scratching from household utensils provided that basic care is observed. In addition, it withstands strong mechanical loads.
Hygienic and antibacterial Ideal for direct contact with food, it does not release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is incorruptible from fungal and bacterial action.
Premium Collection
The XLIGHT® Premium Collection is inspired by the fineness of marble and is available in a wide range of colours.
The collection stands out thanks to its excellence and sophistication, with the tiles’ appearance being created by a four-graph random installation pattern, reinforcing the products inspiration of natural stone.
Its amazing beauty and uniqueness is enhanced by the book match composition, in other words, mirror-effect compositions focusing attention and contributing to a visual space extension.
XLIGHT® comes in 3.5mm, 6mm, and 9mm thicknesses and is available in two different sizes: 1,200 by 2,500mm and 1,200 by 1,200mm.
Over the years, large format, thin porcelain tiles have become very popular within the architecture and design community. Technology has improved and customers and professionals are demanding high-quality products to fulfil their daily needs.
Whatever the requirement and demand, PORCELANOSA Group and its eight companies will be developing products and systems to ensure that all needs can be fulfilled.
About URBATEK
Known for products for large-scale projects, URBATEK – PORCELANOSA Group is that standard bearer for R&D in ceramic tile; working tirelessly to offer the best design along with the latest technological innovation.
Our core premise is to obtain increasingly larger formats with a variety of thicknesses and finishes, for application in all kinds of projects.
Compact and unalterable, the URBATEK – PORCELANOSA Group porcelain tile is a material to shape great ideas, using URBATEK’s extensive line of products and the XLIGHT® thin large-format ceramic plate.
About L’ANTIC COLONIAL
Since 1999, L’ANTIC COLONIAL, part of the PORCELANOSA Group, has consistently sought to satisfy the demand for top quality natural products.
Stone and marble in tumbled, satin and polished finishes, traditional ceramics, glass mosaics, wood, wash basins, vanity tops and mosaics are all part of the product range of one of the sector’s most forward-thinking companies. Quality which is increasingly reflected in the technical and aesthetic features of the company’s products, both in private and public spaces.
London Showroom
and Design Centre
7-10 Hanover Square
London W1S 1HQ
T: 020 4529 6500
PORCELANOSA Group
Otterspool Way, Watford
Hertfordshire WD25 8HL
T: 01923 815200
E: group@porcelanosa.co.uk
W: https://www.porcelanosa.com/uk
