Collection

The dense, hard surface of porcelain has made polishing a viable alternative to a glazed surface. This means that a tile can be fired, then a polish cut into the surface, creating a shine without a glaze.

Porcelain is much harder than ordinary ceramic tiles and is usually selected, despite its higher price, for its hard-wearing nature. Porcelain can be used in both wet and dry areas such as bathrooms, showers and kitchens.

Large-scale production of porcelain tile is undertaken in many countries, with the major producers being China, Italy, Morbi India, Spain and Turkey. There are also countries undertaking small-scale production, such as Australia and strong growth in Brazil.

The wear rating of the tile can be graded from zero to five according to ISO 10545-7 (also, ASTM C1027) test for surface abrasion resistance of glazed tile, and this can be used to determine suitability for various end use conditions.