Advantages and disadvantages of porcelain stoneware tiles for facades

In recent years, porcelain stoneware tiles have gained popularity as a material for facades. For both builders and homeowners, their strength, aesthetic appeal, and range of designs make them a desirable choice. But they have benefits and drawbacks of their own, just like any other building material. You can make a more informed choice for your upcoming construction project by being aware of these.

The remarkable durability of porcelain stoneware tiles is one of its main advantages. They are perfect for outdoor use because they are resistant to stains, scratches, and weather. They also have a lower chance of warping or cracking over time due to their low water absorption rate, which guarantees a durable finish.

The large selection of finishes and styles is another benefit. There are porcelain stoneware tiles to fit every taste, whether you like a sleek, contemporary style or a more traditional aesthetic. Their adaptability makes it simple to create the desired aesthetic for your facade by opening up creative design options.

Porcelain stoneware tiles have the drawback of being highly costly. The price of the tiles alone can soon mount up in addition to the cost of hiring a professional installer. Furthermore, because of their weight, installation may become more difficult; a stable and ready surface is needed to support them correctly.

For many homeowners, however, porcelain stoneware tiles are a better option than other options despite these drawbacks. They are an excellent investment for improving the outside of any building because of their durability, minimal maintenance needs, and aesthetic adaptability.

What is porcelain stoneware tiles for facades

Porcelain stoneware is essentially pressed clay combined with specific additives. However, despite being significantly less expensive, the material looks almost exactly like natural granite from the outside.

The product is composed of quartz sand and clay, along with mineral dyes, feldspar, and kaolins. High pressure is applied to the composition, and it is fired at a temperature higher than 1000 degrees.

Porcelain stoneware was first used as a technical product, and then it started to be used to make facade tiles, floor coverings, and plumbing fixtures.

Products for facade finishing are made no thicker than 10 mm, in contrast to floor cladding. This is computed to lessen the weight on the building’s foundation.

Differences from other types of facade tiles

The two primary rivals of porcelain tile cladding are ceramic tiles (regular, clinker, and terracotta) and natural stone. First thing I would like to mention is that the artificial material is more affordable when compared to its natural counterpart.

As was previously mentioned, porcelain stoneware is substantially less expensive than natural stone, but its qualities are essentially equal. Furthermore, the synthetic material is stronger than its natural equivalent.

The products’ appearance is an additional factor.

Ceramic tiles are rivaled by varieties like:

IMPORTANT!

Because natural stone is formed by nature, blocks of it can vary in color and vein count. Porcelain stoneware’s texture and color are regulated during production, allowing for the creation of more exact samples.

In the comparison of porcelain tiles and ceramics, the superior strength of the former is evident and cannot be disputed. The amount of water absorption varies significantly between the two analogues: in the first, it can reach up to 0.5%, while in the second, it can reach up to 10%.

Thus, porcelain stoneware rather than ceramics is a far better choice for façade cladding. It’s true that the latter has an obvious benefit as well: because of its increased porosity, it weighs less than ceramic granite.

Color solutions

Customers have an endless array of color options when it comes to facade porcelain tiles. Matte or polished, classic black tiles create a sophisticated and opulent appearance. These finishing touches are perfect for a modern look. Additionally adding to the facade’s solidity are shades of gray and brown.

The façade appears appealing and new because of light colors like cream, beige, and milky, which almost seem to be emitting light. But be careful when installing them—even the smallest error could cause them to stand out too much against a light background.

Porcelain stoneware in pastel hues has a soft, inviting appearance. For those who enjoy serene and muted hues, these gentle color schemes are ideal.

Shopping centers and entertainment complexes are better suited for cladding in vivid and rich colors. But, you must exercise caution when applying these hues to residential structures so as not to give the impression that your house is overly dramatic. Combining two or more distinct colors on a single facade is another option.

Because of their weather resistance, durability, and aesthetic appeal, porcelain stoneware tiles are a popular choice for facades. They are perfect for both traditional and modern architectural styles because they offer a multitude of design options and require little upkeep. Their high price and the requirement for expert installation, however, may be disadvantages. In spite of these drawbacks, porcelain stoneware is often a wise investment for many homeowners since the long-term advantages exceed the upfront costs.

Advantages and disadvantages

The following qualities are among porcelain stoneware’s benefits:

• reliably protects walls from environmental influences. The material is highly durable and moisture-resistant, resistant to temperature changes and chemicals;
• allows the use of different façade design options. Products are made in various textures, sizes and colors;
• does not fade in the sun;
• environmentally friendly – the material is harmless to the environment and human health;
• wear-resistant – on the Moss scale it corresponds to 7-8 (for comparison, diamond has a hardness of 10, ceramic tiles have a hardness of 5);
• Fireproof.

Drawbacks:

• The tile is relatively difficult to cut and drill due to the high strength and hardness of the material;
• high weight and higher cost compared to some analogues.

Specifications

The characteristics of porcelain stoneware are as follows:

• frost resistance – up to 50 freezing and defrosting cycles;
• Water absorption – 0.05 – 0.5%;
• Density – 2400 – 2700 kg / m3. Approximately corresponds to the specific weight of the glass;
• Resistance to mechanical effects: resistance to scratches – more than 6 MOOS, firmness on a fracture – more than 27 n / mm2.
• Dimensions – 600 x 600.

Review of manufacturers

Let’s examine a few well-known producers of elegant and superior porcelain stoneware for facades:

• Estima. This plant in Noginsk is a pioneer in the production of porcelain tiles in Russia. Estima products combines an affordable price with excellent quality. Their range includes the collections “Marmi”, “Rainbow”, “Standart”, “Trend”, “You Color”.
• Fiorano is a well-known manufacturer from China, offering high-strength porcelain tiles that are resistant to dust, dirt and mechanical damage. The Fiorano assortment includes many tiles of various colors and textures.
• Kerlite is an Italian brand that produces high quality porcelain tiles with surprisingly thin tiles only 3.5 mm thick. Despite their thinness, these tiles are large in size, reaching 3×1 meters. Kerlite porcelain tiles predominate in classic shades.
• "Ural granite". This manufacturer offers facade granite in neutral colors with a polished or matte finish.

Physical characteristics of porcelain stoneware

Name	Indicators
Frost resistance	At least 100 freezing/unfreezing cycles, which allows the slabs to be used in any climatic region of the country.
Water absorption	Due to the high density of the material and the absence of micropores, the ability to absorb water is minimal, not exceeding 0.05%, which is one of the lowest indicators.
Hardness	On the Mohs scale, the indicators are in the range of 8–9, surpassing only glass. However, high hardness leads to brittleness of the material due to the lack of ductility.
Wear resistance	In accordance with international standards, porcelain stoneware is divided into five groups; the first group is used for facades, although in terms of wear resistance it is in last place. But this reduces the cost of cladding, since wear resistance does not matter for facades.
Friction coefficient	Regulated according to DIN 51130, minimum coefficient R9, maximum R13, however for facing slabs the friction coefficient is not taken into account.

Types of porcelain tiles

A variety of product types that vary in surface type and structure are available for purchase:

Sanded – matte products with a rough texture to the touch. During production they are processed with diamond discs.

Facade mounting

Tiles can be fixed in a variety of ways. Each one calls for a distinct strategy, enabling you to select the best course of action in a particular situation.

Fastening with clamps

Using unique fasteners made of stainless or galvanized steel, this is the most popular technique for installing porcelain stoneware slabs.

Clasps made of stainless steel are more resilient to dynamic loads like wind.

There are two categories for this fastening technique as well:

1. Hidden fixation. The slabs are attached to a guide profile using clamps, which is pre-installed on the façade.
2. Visible fixation. One of three types of clamps is used as fasteners: starting, ordinary or corner (the latter are rarely used). Special “whiskers” of the clamp grip the edges of the tile without violating its integrity. The downside of this method is that the fasteners (antennae) remain visible. But there are also advantages – faster installation and lower material costs.

Installation with glue

Adhesive compositions based on elastic polyurethanes are utilized for fixing. In this instance, a unique tape is applied to the slabs in conjunction with the glue. Up until the glue to the base completely sets, the tape supports the cladding.

PLEASE NOTE!

Additionally, a combined option with an adhesive composition is available. In this instance, the tile is mechanically fixed in addition to being glued to the profile.

Collet fastening

The most costly way of fixing is this one. Special tools are used to drill conical holes in the tile. When an anchor collet is placed into the hole, it expands and offers a sturdy and dependable fastening as it rotates.

Installation of porcelain stoneware tiles

The facing tiles may be fastened to a pre-installed profile or straight to the facade.

The steps involved in the first instance are as follows:

1. The surface, if necessary, is leveled with plaster and primed. When applying a thick layer of solution, a reinforcing mesh is used.
2. Adhesive is applied to the slabs and the prepared surface using a notched trowel.
3. The tiles begin to be laid from the corner, using special crosses in the process to fix the thickness of the seams.
4. A few days after installation, the seams are filled with a special grout using jointing or a construction gun.

Installing insulation that fits between the tiles and the facade is made possible by mounting to a profile, which also removes the need to plaster the facade level.

The procedure for installation is as follows:

1. The façade is marked in vertical increments of up to 0.8 m. The horizontal pitch depends on the width of the thermal insulation boards.
2. Brackets for installing the profile are attached.
3. The insulation is mounted using mushroom dowels (2 fasteners are used for each slab – the rest are added later). Polystyrene foam or mineral wool is used as thermal insulation. Slots are made in the slabs for brackets.
4. The insulation is covered with a windproof membrane, the strips of which are placed with an overlap of 10 cm. The material is secured with fungi, adding three more pieces to each slab to the previous two fasteners.
5. Install the profiles plumb, fixing them to the brackets using self-tapping screws.
6. Porcelain stoneware slabs are fixed using one of the methods described above.

IMPORTANT!

Installing porcelain stoneware cladding is a challenging task, particularly when it comes to mounting on a profile. Additionally, the heavy weight and complex processing will make work more difficult. Thus, leaving the situation in the hands of experts is the best course of action. Well, dependable protection and a stunning facade appearance are guaranteed with superior installation.

Porcelain stoneware tiles are a chic and long-lasting choice for building facades, offering a number of advantages that can improve any building’s appearance and lifespan. Facades are guaranteed to stay immaculate and intact over time due to their resistance to weather conditions, such as extreme temperatures and moisture. The tiles also have a range of hues, textures, and finishes, so they can be used to create unique and imaginative designs.

The minimal maintenance needed for porcelain stoneware tiles is another important benefit. These tiles are comparatively low maintenance; often, only the occasional washing is needed to maintain their appearance, unlike other materials that might need regular cleaning or treatment. In the long term, their durability also translates into fewer replacements and repairs, making them an economical option.

But there are a few disadvantages to take into account. The installation procedure can be difficult and time-consuming, frequently necessitating expert assistance. This may result in higher starting expenses. Furthermore, even though porcelain stoneware tiles are typically resistant to damage, they may still need to be repaired if they chip or crack from strong impacts.

Notwithstanding these difficulties, porcelain stoneware tiles for facades frequently have more advantages than disadvantages overall. They are a desirable alternative for both residential and commercial buildings because of their durability, aesthetic appeal, and low maintenance requirements. Homeowners and builders can make an informed choice that meets their unique needs and preferences by carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages.

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