For large-scale projects subject with high traffic, Icon Group recommends the use of technical porcelain stoneware collections or coloured in body porcelain stoneware.

Full-body coloured porcelain stoneware is the most advanced technology of production of porcelain stoneware, thanks to which the tile acquires a uniform colour throughout its thickness, and has an additional decoration on the surface, which highlights the aesthetic features of the product. The porcelain produced according to this technology has virtually no restrictions of use due to the high technical and aesthetic characteristics: it can be used in private areas and commercial areas of any kind.

Glazed Porcelain is the type of porcelain stoneware with high recycled content of on which is applied a thin layer of glaze that allows producing a wide variety of colours and decorative effects. The tile also retains all the characteristics of porcelain stoneware. It is recommended to use this product in residential, commercial areas subjected to low traffic of people (cafes, restaurants, shops), as well as wall tiling for interior and exterior use.

Rectified tiles go through a cutting process called grinding, which trims all pieces to the same exact size. As a result, seating joints can be minimal, reducing the amount of grout and making the assembly more aesthetically pleasing.

Glazed wall tiles are ceramic tiles that have a high absorption of water i.e. >10% with one side that is glazed. They are perfectly suited to interior walls.

Glazed floor tiles are coated with a glossy finish which often contains Colour, texture, or design and is fired at significantly high temperatures. Unglazed floor tiles do not have such surface as the Colour forms from the body within the tiles. It can be natural Colour from the clay or other minerals and can be added to the mixture before forming and firing the tiles. Because the Colour extends through the complete tile, these are great for high traffic areas as they do not show wear as easily.

Marble slabs come in various shades and of different quality, maintenance of marble are not always easy and requires care, while on the other side the sturdiness of porcelain tiles merged with the stunning beauty of precious stones has paved new paths in the faculty of architecture and design, the Marble-look porcelain tiles do not fail to evoke the same feeling with their added features of more durability, less fading, resistance to breaking, chipping, warping, and more. On the contrary, marble-look porcelain tiles virtually need no care and maintenance.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are constructed differently. Both porcelain and ceramic are made of water and clay, but porcelain contains denser clay minerals like quartz and feldspar. Porcelain tiles are more dense and less porous as a result.

Because porcelain is less porous, it’s more durable. It’s less likely to chip than standard ceramic, and it can even handle the freeze/thaw conditions of the outdoors.

Porcelain can also have a through body color, meaning the top layer of the tile matches the body of the tile, or a color body, which means the body of the tile closely matches the color of the surface design.

These options allow you to install porcelain in high traffic areas, because wear and tear is less obvious. Meanwhile, ceramic tile typically has a red or brown body color, which can be really noticeable if the surface chips or gets worn.

Icon Group porcelain tiles are available in a natural finish, polished, metallic and High Gloss finishes.

Tiles are both practical and popular. They are typically known for being hard wearing, long lasting and easy to maintain. Tiles can withstand wear and tear from the likes of muddy wellies and dirty paw prints to everyday spills and stains, and with a wide variety of designs shapes and finishes on the market today, there is a tile to suit everybody’s needs.

Porcelain stoneware is currently the most advanced type of ceramic. Its technical features make it possible to use the porcelain stoneware both inside and outside. It can be used for flooring, for cladding, in the finishing of the facades and basements of buildings, in the realization of small architectural objects and furnishings.

The kitchen backsplash tiles are a very important detail as in addition to the aesthetic characteristics they play an important role in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the work area in a kitchen. For the kitchen backsplash it would be better to choose ceramic wall tile & porcelain stoneware, as it does not absorb impurities and odors and cleans well with acid and alkaline detergents.

In all areas with a high mechanical load (warehouses, technical rooms, maintenance areas) it is recommended to use full-body or technical porcelain stoneware tile. They do not change the appearance over time due to heavy traffic and extreme loads.

Rectification is a process that affects the edges of a tile. A mechanical process straightens the tile edges and ensures they are perfectly squared. So, all the tiles are exactly the same size and can therefore be laid with a minimum grout joint of 2 mm. Non-rectified tiles, on the other hand, are tiles with natural, uneven edges that require a wider grout joint of 3 mm.

The name porcelain stoneware refers to a ceramic product which is extremely compact, with considerable technical specifications (high resistance to flexing, scratching, abrasion, chemical and atmospheric agents) and with practically no porosity. This characteristic is due to the fact that during firing (at high temperatures over 1250° C) the product closes all porosity, which means that it is completely vitrified and consequently frost proof.

All tiles are resistant against stains and chemical agents. A tile for exteriors, however, must have different characteristics compared to one used for interiors, because it comes into contact with environmental agents. To be used outside the tiles must be frost proof and they must have a high non-slip coefficient.

To clean porcelain stoneware correctly use a microfibre cloth with a diluted solution of neutral detergent for tiles, such as Faber’s Floor Cleaner, Fila’s Cleaner or similar products, following the use and dilution instructions indicated on the manufacturer’s packaging. Avoid using waxing and/or impregnating products; for large surfaces we recommend using washer-dryers.

Every day :

• Remove dust with brushes or vacuum cleaners.
• Wash with the aforementioned detergents (or low residue neutral detergents) in a 1:200 dilution (one small cup in 5 litres) with a damp cloth, which must be rinsed often in the solution.

WARNING: If the flooring, after any type of cleaning, shows the signs of the cloth passage, wash well with clean water, rinsing often and squeezing the cloth well. Never exceed the quantity of detergent to dilute in water, unless the flooring is particularly dirty and it will be rinsed at the end.

We recommend performing a degreasing wash with Faber’s Tile Cleaner, FILA’s PS/87 or similar products in a 1:20 dilution in water (possibly warm, to render it more effective), followed by a thorough rinse; or descaling washing if there is scale residue, use Faber’s Cement Remover, FILA’s DETERDEK or similar products in a 1:20 dilution in water (possibly warm, to render it more effective), followed by a thorough rinse.

WARNING: If there are still areas that are not perfectly clean, repeat the degreasing and/or descaling wash at higher concentrations. The operator assigned to this intervention must always proceed with a preliminary check on a small section of material.

Polished and honed porcelain stoneware tiles can be installed on indoor floors and as a wall cladding in indoor and outdoor areas.

Yes, if the area does not require special anti-slip features.

We offers a wide range of outdoor finishes able to satisfy aesthetic and technical needs for this type of application. As a general rule, the use of glazed porcelain stoneware for outdoor flooring is not recommended as (other than tiles with the GRIP finish) this type of product does not have the suitable anti-slip requirements to guarantee the safety.

Once the porcelain tile has been fixed, it is not possible to polish its surface.

Porcelain and ceramic material are perfectly apt to be used with under floor heating. The only thing that should be taken into account is that a grout joint of at least 2mm is necessary for the installation.

Floor tiles may be used on the wall. Keep in mind the size and weight of the tile. However some wall tiles are not suitable to be used on the floor as they may scratch or break due to low load bearing capabilities.

We recommend leaving space between tiles. The grout joints may vary in width depending on the size of the tiles as well as the intended use of the floor. We always recommend leaving some space: 1,5-2 mm between rectified tiles, and at least 3 mm between non-rectified tiles. The use of grout of an appropriate color, to go with your tiles, will actually highlight the beauty of your surfaces.

Yes, it is absolutely feasible to fit new tiles on top of an old tiled floor. However, it is not advisable as there’s a higher cost and you would possibly reduce the headroom (height between the floor and the ceiling). However, if you still want to go ahead for tiling on old floor tiles, be careful the existing surface provides a good grip. If flooring is of glazed tiles then they have to be roughened to give a good grip to the new floor.

Furthermore, there are some other aspects as well that you have to take into consideration before deciding to fit new tiles on an old tiled floor. You need to allow the thickness of the tiles that you are laying in addition to approximately 6-12 mm for the cement slurry/adhesive, depending on the type of flooring to be laid. After adding thickness top of your existing floor, you can still be able to open doors.

Once the glaze of a ceramic or porcelain tile has been damaged, it is not possible to repair. The only alternative is to replace the damaged tile for a new one.

Yes, but this depends heavily on the installation. To optimize durability, the subfloor or base on which the tiling will be glued must be flat, stable, and without irregularities. Depending on the dimensions of each tile, the proper mortar must be used. For larger pieces, manufacturers recommend double gluing on the subfloor and the back of the tile. Generally, carefully following the manufacturers' recommendations is always the best thing to do.

Each surface possessing its own particular aesthetic and practical qualities. For example, gloss finish emphasizes a color and a pattern the tile, but tiles with this finish have certain restrictions for the laying due to its low slip resistance. Grip or structured finishes emphasize the rustic effect and the beauty of natural stone, and at the same time have high anti-slip properties, that make them ideal for exterior use, entrance zone and stairs, swimming pools, spa and shower.

The term digital technology refers to the tiles design that is printed onto the surface. Today, images that are created from photographs using a computer program are then applied to the tile by use of ink jets, much like modern office printers. With such technology usage, the designs are more exciting and attractive than ever

Every space has different specifications. Is it an exterior or interior ? Is it a commercial or residential building ? Is it a floor or facing ? Contact one of our experts for a free consultation and to discover the best solution for your needs.