The latest inkjet technology is becoming increasingly effective in the flooring market. With modern equipment
major tile floor manufacturers are able to use the best expertise to produce porcelain tiles with a good quality stone effect. In fact it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between real stone and their porcelain counterparts.
This begs the question, what are the advantages of each product and will consumers be opting for stone or porcelain?
One of the key advantages of stone is that any flaws in the product actually add to its rustic charm. If you chip or crack a stone tile it will only add to the feel of the roo m, from this point of view you can be less careful with a stone surface. With porcelain tiles on the other hand, any inconsistencies will show up immediately and will draw the eye to them. This means when laying a porcelain floor it is essential to pick out any partially damaged tiles and replace them before they are laid.
On the other hand stone does require more maintenance then porcelain. Stone must be carefully sealed post laying and occasionally thereafter; porcelain, conversely, require very little upkeep.
Deanne Webb from the Stone Gallery in Camberley, Surrey, commented:
“For the real purist the timeless elegance of natural stone cannot be surpassed by a man made product. Stone floors are like men; if you get them laid right in the first place, you can walk all over them for the rest of your life.”
As far as cost is concerned, this should not really play a part in deciding between stone and porcelain. A top quality, realistic, porcelain tile will cost about the same as the stone variety.
Aaron Beagle from the Ceramic Tile Warehouse, also in Camberley, Surrey, argued:
“I would not hesitate using porcelain stone effect floor tiles, the latest designs look fantastic and are maintenance free. Personally I feel the gap is definitely closing and it’s probably more about lifestyle and personal choice.”
Both stone and porcelain are easy to clean and have a long life span. Stone will bring natural beauty to a room while porcelain is smoother and more finished.
When it comes to choosing between stone tiles and porcelain tiles with stone effect personal preference seems to play a big part. While some consumers seem to prefer the cleaner finish of the porcelain tile, for others the individuality of natural stone is irreplaceable.
