Rating of the best porcelain stoneware manufacturers for 2022

If you have chosen porcelain stoneware as a material for finishing, then this article will help you decide on the best manufacturers of this material, and you will also learn some tips when choosing porcelain stoneware.

What is porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware is a very durable and reliable type of cladding. It is rightfully considered a substitute for natural stone. The composition of the material includes such natural components as sand, clay, mica and feldspar, and strength is given by granite chips.

The material is obtained by pressing and sintering. All ingredients are mixed together in certain proportions, then pressed under high pressure, after which they are fed to high-temperature annealing in a furnace (1200 - 1300 ° C).Thanks to this technology, it was possible to achieve the absence of pores in the material and its high strength.

Porcelain stoneware successfully competes for the title of one of the most popular finishing materials. Its characteristics make it possible to use the material when facing facades, walls, floors, etc.

A valuable plus of porcelain stoneware is the presence of a wide variety of formats and textures. This makes it a prestigious interior material, and not just an ordinary floor covering. It is used in the decoration of bathrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms and offices. The highest quality of porcelain stoneware has been achieved by such countries as Spain, Belarus, Russia and Italy. Due to the large number of companies, choosing a particular option becomes a very difficult task, especially for a beginner.

Types of porcelain stoneware

The following types of porcelain stoneware are suitable as flooring:

• Technical;

Ideal for finishing floors in industrial premises, cafes, etc.

• Matte;

This type of product does not change in any way and is not amenable to additional modifications after passing through the heat treatment cycle. Due to this, the surface becomes rougher and not conspicuous. But this material has increased hardness and high friction.

• Polished;

This is a more specific type of porcelain stoneware than the previous one. The surface is smooth and even, almost mirror-like, thanks to the processing with abrasive substances. Such processing can greatly reduce the strength of the product, but improves the appearance. In order to increase the service life of the coating, it must be treated with special mastics. They will create a protective layer on the surface. Otherwise, during long-term operation, polished granite will slowly turn into matte.

• satin;

The external structure of this type of porcelain stoneware has a slight sheen, which is obtained by applying mineral salts to the surface before baking it. This processing method does not affect the wear resistance of the product.

• Structured;

This type of porcelain stoneware has a relief surface that allows you to imitate the texture of wood, leather or various types of stone. Visually and to the touch does not differ from natural materials.

• Glazed;

This type of porcelain stoneware is obtained by applying a special glaze to the surface and then firing it. The glazed surface is much stronger than classic tiles, but this type is used most often in rooms with high traffic and the same level of mechanical stress. Over time, it loses its original appeal.

• lapped;

This porcelain tile has a mixed structure - half polished, half matte. This effect is achieved by removing a thin, uneven top layer using special polished stones. This type is often used as a floor covering in rooms with high traffic and load.

Porcelain stoneware classification

Porcelain stoneware is classified according to three parameters:

1. The size;

The most popular and demanded size of tiles for flooring is square slabs with dimensions of 300 mm, 450 mm, 600 mm. If you have a design project planned and the floor should attract the most attention, then you can find plates of non-standard sizes - 50x50 mm, 200x200 mm, 150x300 mm, 300x450 mm, 300x600 mm, etc. If you still can’t find the right size for you, you can try waterjet cutting.

2. Caliber;

This is a characteristic of the allowable divergence of tiles, is about 3-5 mm. In the process of heat treatment, the edges of the plate are slightly deformed, so they may differ slightly from each other, in order to prevent a large discrepancy, the tiles undergo a process of rectification, that is, trimming the edges on special equipment. Such tiles, when laid on the floor, will match perfectly.

3. Thickness;

The maximum thickness of porcelain stoneware is 30 mm, and the minimum is 3 mm. With proper installation, a 3mm thick tile will not be inferior to 30mm in any way, so it is not necessary to overpay for the thickness. For the floor, 8.5 mm thick tiles are recommended, they can withstand a load of up to 200 kg / cm².

4. Abrasion class;

This is the most important characteristic of porcelain stoneware. Depending on the possible load, 5 main classes of abrasion are distinguished.

• PEI I, PEI II - they are suitable for rooms with low traffic or for walking on it in soft shoes (bathroom, toilet);
• PEI III - suitable for residential premises with an average level of traffic without access from the street (balcony, kitchen);
• PEI IV - suitable for public spaces with a high level of traffic;
• PEI V - suitable for rooms with any level of traffic.

The best porcelain stoneware manufacturers

KERAMA MARAZZI

Price - 2000 rubles. per m²

This is a domestic company that was one of the first to appear on the Russian market. At the beginning of the history of Kerama Marazzi, another Italian company helped her. The products of this manufacturer quickly became popular and in great demand, the speed of production increased many times, due to the fact that the factories began to receive the latest equipment. At the same time, trade began to spread throughout the country and branded stores appeared.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the company became part of the Marazzi Group holding, which focused on the production of sanitary ware and facing materials. Thus, in the end, a brand was formed, which is now associated by many with quality and low price.

Now the company is one of the leaders in the production of porcelain stoneware, in 2013 it became the "Brand No. 1 in Russia". Also, the company's products are sold abroad, which once again speaks of the quality of the products.

The range of the company has a large number of collections for every taste. Kerama Marazzi tiles are suitable for any room.

• The tile has a high strength index;
• High quality board imitation;
• Easy to clean from any dirt;
• Low price;
• A wide network of stores throughout the country.

• Sometimes there are complaints about the curvature of the tiles.

LA FABBRICA

Price - 4000 rubles. per m²

This manufacturer is a subsidiary of the Italian corporation Dafin. La Fabbrica has been producing porcelain tiles for about ten years and has managed to gain confidence in the market. The company's catalog contains artificial stone for floor and wall decoration inside the building, as well as facing for facades.

Finding the right model of porcelain stoneware is easy, thanks to its division into categories (bathroom, kitchen, pool, etc.). However, unfortunately, the official website is not translated into Russian, so many will have to get acquainted with a rich variety of goods through intermediaries, who often cannot import all available types of porcelain stoneware, but only the most popular and in demand.

The manufacturer is recognized as the best due to the largest range of porcelain stoneware, both in shape and in surface type. The company presents a huge number of shapes for products: honeycombs, squares, hexagons and rectangular blocks. Their surfaces can be lappated, structured, polished, glossy or matte. Drawings imitate wood, concrete, laminate, and parquet.

• Made in Italy;
• There is a function to view the product on the official website;
• Large selection of surface types and blocks.

• The site does not support Russian.

KERRANOVA

Price - 3000 rubles. per m²

The production of porcelain stoneware of this company takes place in Samara, there is also a showroom, which allows you to get acquainted with the assortment live. Another exhibition hall is located in Moscow.

The manufacturer has all the necessary certificates for the sale of goods and compliance with GOST. They allow the company to use products in the decoration of ventilated facades and floors. To apply a picture on porcelain stoneware, digital printing technology is used.

It creates an image with a resolution of 360 dpi, while the resolution of competitors can reach 300 dpi.

The company stands out from the competition with the launch of porcelain stoneware with a Sugar surface. It is obtained by adding small crystals to the composition. This is carried out even before firing and allows the grains to be well fixed in the base. After that, the blocks are fired in a kiln at a temperature of about 1500C. With subsequent polishing, the outer layer acquires the effect of shiny grains of sugar, which will allow the floor to play in a special way.

• The tile is covered with an additional protective layer;
• The surface is easy to clean;
• There is a wide variety of sizes and strengths of porcelain stoneware.

• Sometimes they complain that it is difficult to get through to the manufacturer's Call Center.

Keramin

Price - 1000 rubles. per m²

This company began its work in the 50s of the twentieth century and has a long history. Currently, the company is the largest trade mark specializing in the sale of ceramic tiles.

The company's products are presented in three directions - high-quality bricks for various purposes, faience and porcelain sanitary ware, as well as facing tiles.

The ceramic tile factory began its work thanks to Italian specialists in this field, and it is also equipped with advanced equipment that even some Western manufacturers can envy. In terms of its production capacity, the company is among the leaders in Eastern Europe.

Porcelain stoneware of this company is in high demand among buyers. For consumers, about fifteen interesting collections are provided for a variety of interior design. The most pleasant thing about this company's porcelain stoneware is the price-quality ratio. European quality at a price 2-3 times cheaper.

• High performance tiles;
• A wide range of;
• Low price;
• Frequent promotions to save even more.

• There are some flaws in the geometry;
• In one batch, sometimes there are tiles that differ significantly in color tone;
• Crumbles when cutting and drilling.

VITRA

Price - 3000 rubles. per m²

This is not a very well-known company, however, Turkey is one of the countries where ceramic art has been developed since ancient times. The company began its work in the middle of the last century and produced inexpensive faience sanitary ware, but over time it began to develop other industries. In the 80s, she began producing ceramic tiles.

Over the course of history, the company has merged with a major German ceramics manufacturer, and also received a stake in another impressive manufacturer.

The company has its enterprises in 75 countries of the world, almost on all continents. The immediate plans of the management include the establishment of a production complex in Russia.

For buyers, about 15 collections of porcelain stoneware coatings of various styles, textures and colors are provided.

Reviews from the company are not always unambiguous.

• High product quality, strength and cleanability;
• Moderate price;
• Large selection of collections.

• Sometimes there are parties with low-quality drawing;
• Some tiles in the package have small chips along the edges;
• Rarely, but still, defects in the front coating of the tile occur.

 

ABK CERAMINE

Price - 5000 rubles. per m²

The products of this manufacturer are well known in many countries of the world. It has also won a good reputation and appreciation in the Russian market for its high quality and interesting design solutions.

In Italy itself, the company is in high demand, thanks to the fact that it bypassed many brands and absorbed them. Many previously famous porcelain stoneware manufacturers such as Edera, Ariana, Valverde and others, all now work under the ABK Ceramiche brand.

The company is constantly improving its production, integrating advanced technologies that improve product quality.

More than fifteen collections in completely different designs are supplied to the Russian market.

However, you have to pay a lot of money for high quality.

• Products are made from high quality materials;
• The surface is easily cleaned from any kind of contaminants;
• A wide range of collections that will suit any interior;
• Great variety of shapes.

• High price.

TAU CERAMICS

Price - 5400 rubles. per m²

Spain is one of the countries to which the manufacture of various ceramic products was widespread. Tau Ceramica was founded in the second half of the 20th century, in the city of Castellin, which can be safely called one of the main centers of the art of creating ceramic products. Initially, the company was called "Taulell" and was conceived as a community of five manufacturers of ceramics, which already then had great fame and experience. Thanks to this merger, the company began to develop by leaps and bounds and after a while expanded far beyond the borders of Spain.

At present, Tau Ceramica is one of the leaders in the production of ceramic field coatings. This industry has become the main production of the company.

In the assortment of the company, everyone can find something to their liking, as it has more than fifty collections. Also, consumers are provided with a large selection of textures such as wood boards, stone or metal.

Tau Ceramica porcelain stoneware slab is specially prepared for sudden temperature changes and has a large margin of safety.

• Excellent quality porcelain stoneware;
• The material is easy to install due to the low percentage of tiles with inaccurate dimensions;
• Wide range of collections;
• A large number of textures, among which there are even textiles.

• Not always all the goods that are displayed in the catalog are on sale;
• High price.

Where could I buy

You can buy this product:

• On the manufacturer's website;
• In specialized stores;
• Order from suppliers.

High-quality porcelain stoneware will allow you not to update the lining made for a long time. The main thing is to choose the right material, taking into account the operating conditions and to carry out timely care of the coating.