What’s the difference between technical porcelain, porcelain stoneware and ceramics?

When you’re working on a development, knowing about all the different construction materials you have at your disposal is key. Porcelanosa Group offers a wide range of products to suit your needs, so it’s good to know which ones will be the right fit for your concept.

Technical porcelain: definition

Technical porcelain – also known as full-body porcelain – refers to single-fired ceramic tiles with an extremely low level of water absorption (≤ 0.2%).The surface of the tile can be plain, or have decorative motifs or marble effects for example, achieved by combining different raw materials.

Two key differences set technical porcelain apart from porcelain stoneware tiles:

1. Technical porcelain doesn’t have a layer of glaze on the surface.
2. Technical porcelain tiles are composed of one single raw material, so the surface and body of the tile have the same aesthetic and similar properties

Given its incredible technical performance, Porcelanosa’s Solidker full-body technical porcelain is mainly aimed at larger projects demanding rigorous quality controls and specific certifications. Examples of its applications include transport hubs (airports, bus, train or underground stations, etc.), shopping centres and public buildings which have particular technical specifications.

The uniform composition gives it unparalleled resistance, making it suitable for indoor flooring or outdoor paving.

Ceramic tiles have a higher level of water absorption, and a pressed and vitrified glazed layer on the surface, achieved through single or (in some cases) double-firing. The body of the tile is composed of majolica, or fine clay. These are recommended for interiors.

Full-body technical porcelain

Porcelanosa offers a range of technical porcelain products in finishes to suit all styles. From stone, such as their Deep or Adda ranges, to concrete-look products like Avenue or Concrete.

The firm has also launched Stratos, a new Solidker product line that stands out for its flecks in different hues. The flecks are combined with small fragments, spread irregularly through the whole of the tile, so that every layer displays this same look.

Porcelain tiles

Porcelain stoneware is a composite tile made up of refined materials like clay, sand and minerals. These natural resources, combined with being fired at high temperatures, result in a material suited perfectly to homes, façades (fixed and ventilated) and the contract sector.

One of its strong points is its excellent ability to withstand rain or humidity, given its low level of absorption (less than 0.1%).

Venis Projects offers a wide variety of porcelain stoneware collections that take inspiration from wood (Bremen and Forest), marble (Rivoli and Bianco Carrara) and stone (Matika and Urban).

Porcelain stoneware vs ceramic flooring

The key differences between porcelain stoneware and ceramic flooring are durability and density. The former is fired at much higher temperatures and uses purer raw materials, resulting in more resistant, less dense flooring than ceramic stoneware.