In different languages, common terms - gres porcellanato (Italian), gres porcelanico (Spanish), gres ceramic (French), porcelain tiles (English), feinsteinzeugfliesen (German), porcelain stoneware (Russian) - usually denote a group of ceramic facings materials with very low water absorption, obtained by dry pressing and single firing, usually painted in bulk. Further, countless options and variations are possible - according to the type of surface, texture, texture, format and shape of the slabs. This list remains open: manufacturers continue to experiment, creating new types of facing materials, united by a common technological approach and a common typological name. Let's look at some of the most popular options already available.
The tile that comes out of the kiln and is not subjected to additional mechanical treatment after firing has a matte surface . The natural roughness of untreated ceramics certainly has its own charm and is often used in modern architecture and design. Tiles with a matte surface are not only the most affordable, since they do not require additional processing, but also the most durable. We can say that this is the standard in the porcelain stoneware family in terms of wear resistance and durability. In addition, a matte surface is less slippery than, for example, polished or glazed.
To obtain polished tiles, their surface is polished with special diamond nozzles using a large amount of water, without the use of any chemicals. Polishing most fully reveals the structure of porcelain stoneware painted in the mass, accentuates the nuances of color, creates a play of light and shadow, and makes the pattern deeper and more voluminous. Such tiles are practically indistinguishable from the natural stone that they imitate. However, as you know, beauty requires sacrifice. When polishing, the topmost “sintered” layer is cut off. As a result, polished porcelain stoneware is slightly inferior to matte in terms of performance characteristics, in particular, wear resistance. A polished surface requires more careful maintenance. At the same time, scratched polish can be restored. When laying flooring, it is also necessary to keep in mind that when exposed to water, polished tiles become very slippery.
If slabs with different surface types are presented in one collection, this gives designers the opportunity to combine glossy tiles with matte ones. The combination of surfaces that reflect light differently creates interesting effects.
Tiles with a polished surface are very comfortable both visually and tactilely (to the touch). This surface is obtained by special matte polishing. Polished porcelain tiles are less slippery than polished ones, but due to the smooth surface of such tiles, they are easy to clean. In our fast-paced age, there is no time to wait for a thing or materials to naturally age and acquire the patina of time. Therefore, manufacturers have learned to create this coating artificially, from worn jeans to cracked plaster. A similar illusion of aged, worn stone is given by the relief texture of the surface of ceramic granite. It has an anti-slip effect, which allows it to be used not only in the interior, but also on open terraces, stairs, and so on.
The Estima production association produces a wide range of ceramic granite of various sizes - from mosaic to large-format (60x60 cm), in a wide range of colors and different texture options: polished, matte, polished, embossed with an anti-slip surface. The pattern of the tiles imitates the structure of natural stone (granite, marble, travertine, onyx), natural wood, as well as monocolor and technical porcelain tiles 12 mm thick for finishing surfaces with extremely high loads.