Materials and finishes for tiles

The most widely used material for floors and walls today is porcelain stoneware . It is a compact, low-absorbent ceramic material that is resistant to wear and stains. It is suitable for almost any space: kitchens, bathrooms, living areas, offices, even outdoors (if you choose the right version). Its strength lies in its ability to mimic a wide range of materials: stone, concrete, wood, terrazzo, marble, and metal, with minimal thickness and easy maintenance.

Traditional ceramic wall tiles (double-fired or monoporous) are lighter and slightly more absorbent, designed primarily for walls. They are often used in bathrooms and kitchens for tiling up to a certain height or across entire walls, in small-to-medium or rectangular formats. They are perfect where high mechanical performance is not required, but a decorative surface that is easy to clean is desired.

Mosaics: available in ceramic, glass, or stone, they can be used to cover curved surfaces, niches, shower trays, seating, and other details. They are widely used in showers, spa areas, kitchen backsplash, and decorative inserts. Their small size and tight joints ensure a good grip and, in the case of wet floors, a reasonable level of anti-slip protection.

Natural stones (marble, travertine, slate, limestone) have a unique charm but require more care: they are living materials, with porosity, veining, and unique characteristics that must be respected. They often require protective treatments, more careful maintenance, and targeted choices for each room (not all stones are suitable, for example, for heavily used kitchens).

A crucial aspect is the surface finish . Stoneware can be:

• Natural / matt , opaque and not very reflective, ideal for contemporary environments and non-slip floors.

• Lapped or satin , with a light sheen that makes the room brighter, while maintaining good practicality.

• Polished / polished , very scenic but more “delicate” in terms of visible scratches and slipperiness, therefore to be evaluated carefully in areas at risk of wetness.

For exteriors and wet areas (showers, poolsides, outdoor entrances), it's important to consider the slipperiness class and choose textured or non-slip surfaces specifically designed for these conditions.

Thickness also has an impact: standard sizes for interiors (8–10 mm), large and thin slabs (3–6 mm) to be used often as cladding or for overlays, and thickened stoneware (20 mm and above) designed for exteriors, terraces and installation on pedestals or on gravel.

Finally, the right combination of size, color, and finish allows you to find the balance between aesthetics and functionality: large slabs for modern and continuous spaces, small sizes for more dynamic schemes or classic environments, neutral shades for a background that will last over time, more decisive solutions for areas with character.