Material fundamentals
Learn the difference between porcelain tile, gauged panels and slabs. Understand why format, thickness and approved use matter when specifying.
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Manufacturer photography / Design inspiration
The details that matter
Square-foot pricing helps compare materials across different sizes. The amount added to your cart is based on the sellable panel or piece and the quantity ordered. Review both values on the product page. For a fair material comparison, also check coverage per piece and allow for the cutting plan for your specific installation.
A 100-square-foot wall does not always use exactly 100 square feet of material. Panel orientation, offcuts, corners and pattern placement affect the order quantity. The project calculator rounds estimated coverage up to whole panels; your installer should confirm the final count and the allowance appropriate to the layout.
Save the manufacturer, collection, size, finish and product reference together. Add the current technical sheet and the approved layout to that record. This keeps the supplier, installer and fabricator working from the same selection, and makes it easier to resolve questions about samples, matching pieces or additional quantities later.
Gauged porcelain is produced to a controlled thickness. Large-format panels and slabs extend the design possibilities of porcelain, allowing a surface pattern to be expressed over a broader area than a conventional small-format tile.
“Panel,” “slab” and “tile” are sometimes used loosely in conversation. For a specification, identify the actual manufacturer, collection, dimensions, thickness, finish and product reference. The name alone does not tell you where or how the material can be installed.
Thin architectural panels, floor products and worktop slabs can serve different purposes. A thinner profile is not a universal substitute for a thicker product, and matching appearances do not guarantee matching performance or approved use.
Ask for the product’s current technical sheet and installation guidance. Review the proposed substrate, support and application with the relevant professional before ordering.
A large surface can emphasize the direction of a vein, the movement of a pattern or the continuity between adjacent areas. Study full-panel imagery and the proposed layout alongside physical samples. Consider joints, corners, cutouts and transitions as part of the visual composition.
Access, handling, storage, cutting and installation require preparation. Discuss panel dimensions and site conditions with an experienced installer or fabricator. Confirm delivery access and the handling arrangements before material is dispatched.
Build a shortlist using our material looks, then use the selection checklist to organize the details. The manufacturer resource links provide a route to current technical documentation.
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