Many commercial or residential spaces in Melbourne have traditional flooring, made from ceramic, natural stone, or mosaic tiles. However, property owners must also consider porcelain tiles, a contemporary variety of ceramic tiles quickly gaining popularity due to their durability, aesthetic appeal, and other benefits.
When choosing tiles for your space, it’s only natural to want the best material. While traditional ceramic tiles or natural stone are standard, porcelain tiles are the top choice. They’re made using the same materials as ceramic tiles, but offer more elegance and practicality, whether you want porcelain flooring inside your space or outside. In this blog, we’ll break down the key benefits of choosing porcelain tiles in Melbourne so you can decide and invest accordingly. Let’s get started!
What Are Porcelain Tiles?
Porcelain tiles are a type of flooring manufactured using dense clay treated at higher temperatures than regular ceramic tiles. They are typically made by blending fine-grain clay with other natural materials in a furnace fired at extremely high temperatures of over 1093.33° Celsius. Then, the tiles are meticulously shaped using extrusion techniques and often treated with polishing or glazing to enhance durability and appearance.
The result? A stellar, versatile, and long-lasting flooring option with a highly uniform and non-porous structure, optimal for spaces with fluctuating weather conditions.
Strength and Durability
High durability and strength are some of the most significant advantages of porcelain tiles. Here’s how.
- High Resistance to Wear, Scratches, and Impact – Given how porcelain tiles are made at high temperatures and pressure, the process forms a strong bond within the material. Hence, porcelain tiles have fewer air pockets, are denser, and have a uniform structure that makes them thicker than most other tiles. In turn, these tiles are highly resistant to wear and tear, resisting scratches, stains, and impact from heavy equipment or furniture.
- Ideal for High-Traffic Areas – There are many reasons why porcelain tiles are popular among both residential and commercial property owners. One key reason is their durability, which makes porcelain tiles ideal for high-traffic areas that see heavy footfall frequently, including pets scurrying around and their nails or claws causing scratches. Compared to other flooring alternatives, porcelain floors are easy to maintain, and their incredible durability means you never have to worry about long-term heavy usage.
- Long Lifespan Compared to Other Flooring Options – Other flooring options like natural stone or slate tiles often require hefty upkeep and frequent monitoring, especially if you want your space to look top-notch all the time. Porcelain tiles don’t need much attention; they are made for long-term wear resistance and offer robust durability for everyday use. They withstand everything from pets playing around to dinner parties with many people stampeding around. All in all, porcelain tiles are ideal if you want flooring with a longer lifespan.
Water and Stain Resistance
Porcelain tiles are the best flooring material for spaces like kitchens, mudrooms, bathrooms, and entryways, as they’re virtually impervious to liquids. Their non-porous nature keeps all sorts of stains away, meaning there are fewer chances of liquids or stains building up. As these tiles are moisture resistant, there isn’t much possibility for moisture to seep through them, leaving you with a more reliable form of flooring that’s built to last.
Moreover, porcelain tiles are impervious to alkalis, acids, solvents, and detergents, meaning they can’t penetrate the surface of porcelain tiles. Thus, they are ideal for commercial spaces like stores, laboratories, and testing areas.
Aesthetic Appeal
Besides their longevity, porcelain tiles are stunning to look at. Irrespective of the pattern or style you choose, these tiles will add a touch of luxury and instantly elevate the sophistication of your space. Porcelain tiles are made to be versatile in visuals, meaning they’re available in diverse options to suit varying tastes among homeowners.
Depending on how you’d want your space to look, you can choose porcelain tiles resembling marble, slate, granite, limestone, hardwood, and just about any flooring type. You can also find these tiles in various pattern types, including brick, square, wood, and Moroccan patterns, and mix and match to create unique aesthetics throughout your space.
Low Maintenance
Unlike other flooring types, porcelain tiles are low porosity, making them hassle-free to maintain. Their non-porous and moisture-resistant nature means you never have to worry about liquids seeping in, making cleaning a breeze.
Instead of harsh chemicals or special sealants to keep water out, you can clean porcelain tiles with regular sweeping and mopping. Combined with their high durability, porcelain tiles are ideal for high-traffic spaces where effortless maintenance is key.
Versatility of Use
Given how porcelain tiles require minimal upkeep and can uphold a pristine look for years, you’d want to use them in various spaces. Indeed, you can, as these tiles are designed to fit into different areas seamlessly. You can use them in living room floors, entryways, bathrooms, and dining spaces.
That’s not all. Porcelain tiles are also designed for outdoor use to withstand harsh temperatures without compromising aesthetics. You can opt for porcelain tiles for your poolside areas, decks, or patios and enjoy a safe, slip-free surface. Moreover, porcelain tolerates sub-zero temperatures, making it ideal for outdoor areas, especially in cold climates.
Environmentally Friendly Option
Many are also unfamiliar with porcelain’s environmentally friendly nature. Porcelain tiles are made using naturally raw materials like quartz, bone ash, steatite, and feldspar, and all the minimal waste is recycled into the manufacturing process.
There are no chemicals involved, like resins, varnishes, or waterproofing agents. Unlike natural stone, porcelain isn’t lead-polished and doesn’t emit any gas when exposed to heat. Therefore, porcelain tiles are the ideal choice for environmentally conscious property owners.
Get Expert Help for Porcelain Tiles with Ceramic Tile Imports
Porcelain tiles are excellent for renovating or constructing new spaces and giving them a timeless appearance. However, doing it right means investing in the best hardware and materials to source tiles that don’t just complement your space but can also be installed without any worry.
That’s where Ceramic Tile Imports can help. We are one of Australia’s leading suppliers and importers of porcelain tiles. Driven by our extensive industry experience spanning 49+ years, our offerings comprise a diverse range of porcelain flooring options, from glazed to non-glazed.
We strive to provide the most premium porcelain tiles that fulfil your makeover needs without breaking the bank. Besides unmatched quality tiles, we also have a friendly team that can help you choose the right tiles according to your unique tastes and specific preferences.
At Ceramic Tile Imports, we also understand that homeowners want both style and functionality when choosing porcelain tiles. Hence, we carefully curate and update our porcelain tile collection, offering the latest trending designs worldwide to enhance your space.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking of tile-based flooring, porcelain is your best bet. Their highly durable, moisture-resistant nature means you can forget about maintenance hassles and enjoy a beautiful-looking floor that stands the test of time. Whether renovating interiors or constructing new outdoor spaces, consider porcelain tiles to remain worry-free in the long run.
If you need expert advice on which porcelain tiles to choose or simply want to explore the best porcelain tiles in Melbourne, reach out to us, and we’ll take care of your requirements.
