Thanks to advances in technology and an ever-growing catalogue of finishes, Porcelain slab products are in vogue. A sleek stone alternative, porcelain slabs look identical to their natural stone counterparts.
Here, we explain what a porcelain slab is, how they’re made, and what unique benefits porcelain can provide over stone.
What is it?
Porcelain slabs are extra large, super slim porcelain tiles. Most commonly, they have a stone-look appearance that accurately mimics natural stone.
Porcelain itself is traditionally made from Kaolin and pottery stone mixed together. While the origin story is mythical, Europeans eventually worked out how the Chinese produced this incredibly white and fragile looking product that was remarkably strong and versatile. Interestingly, porcelain, unlike engineered stone, doesn’t contain any silica—a common element of quartz and sand.
Today, our range of beautiful porcelain slabs available measure over three metres long and remain incredibly strong while being impressively thin. Just like a porcelain vase, they are strong and luminous with a delicate appeal.
Modern porcelain slabs are a smart upgrade to the porcelain tile benchtops and splashbacks seen in more dated kitchens.
And with innovative products like Laminam and stone look tiles, you can have all the benefits of porcelain with the beauty of natural stone.
How are they made?
Porcelain slabs are an engineering marvel.
Thanks to manufacturers like Laminam, porcelain slabs are made impossibly thin and finished in an almost endless range of colours and textures.
Born in Italy, Laminam was an ambitious project to make the biggest and thinnest ceramic slab possible. The resulting range produced slabs that measure three metres long, one metre wide and only three millimetres thick.
These sleek and sharp looking stone alternatives are as strong and more durable than natural stone.
During production, the surface is etched before the finish is printed which results in an exact look-alike alternative for stone or timber.
These slabs are truly a beautiful and modern material.
Why choose a porcelain benchtop?
Porcelain slabs are lightweight, economical and recyclable.
Because porcelain is non-porous, heat and stain resistant it’s suitable for food preparation. And these benefits add an extra level of hygienic protection too. Plus, porcelain slabs and porcelain tiles are also:
Mould and fungus resistant
Scratch resistant
UV resistant and colour-fast
Recyclable.
Given that they are both heat and frost resistant, porcelain products can be used inside and out.
Another bonus to the size of porcelain slabs is the simple fact that you need less ‘tiles’ to cover a large surface. Less tiles means less joins which means less grouting. This results in a cleaner finish across large spaces and lends itself to a very modern aesthetic.
Less grout also means less build up and less cleaning, which is a bonus for you and your hygiene.
This means no matter what space you’re wanting to re-do at home, you can get the look and feel of stone without the price, and weight.
Anywhere you’d use stone, you could use a porcelain slab or stone look tiles as an alternative.
To learn more about porcelain slab products, and how to incorporate them in your home visit our showroom at 484 Church St, Richmond, or for more information phone us on (03) 9427 9100.
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