Talking of design and sustainability, in the global landscape shaped around an ecological approach, the building and furnishing sectors have seen a growth in demand for materials which not only meet customers’ aesthetic needs but are also environmentally friendly. Porcelain stoneware parts and finishings contribute to building a world of sustainable design with reliable and consolidated solutions for covering floors, walls and façades and creating furnishing elements.
Design and sustainability thanks to porcelain stoneware
Porcelain stoneware is the result of a production cycle with a low environmental impact. It is an extremely compact, non-porous product, and boasts exceptional durability and resistance to wear, scratches and atmospheric agents, guaranteeing an extended lifespan to the solutions where it is used. The resistance of porcelain stoneware finishes results in a drop in the number of replacements over time, and subsequently reduces the consumption of resources and the effect on the environment caused by the production and disposal of materials. This means that, once installed, the porcelain stoneware requires very little maintenance and can last decades without needing to be replaced. Its non-porosity and its surfaces’ high level of resistance also result in it being waterproof, stain-proof and it prevents bacteria and mould formation: in order to keep it clean and in excellent condition, there is no need to use aggressive chemicals, and this reduces the impact on the environment caused by the use of harmful cleaning products.
As well as its technical features, it is important to point out that porcelain stoneware is produced using processes that adopt sustainable practices like recycling wastewater, the optimised use of raw materials and the implementation of low energy consumption technologies. Furthermore, a large number of companies are committed to obtaining internationally recognised environmental certification to confirm their commitment to sustainability.
So, design and sustainability come together in a perfect combination thanks to the vast range of colours, shapes and porcelain stoneware finishes which allow for the creation of any style, offering architects and designers plenty of creative flexibility. Thanks to ongoing technological advances, textures and colours of natural materials like wood, stone and marble can be perfectly reproduced to offer a sustainable alternative to depleting natural resources.
The result is the creation of bespoke ideas capable of meeting the specific needs of clients and, at the same time, the development of sustainable environmental design projects.
Sustainable design and other advantages of porcelain stoneware
Porcelain stoneware confirms itself as a consolidated and very popular solution thanks to the possibility of combining design and sustainability within a project aimed at reducing the impact on the environment without compromising on style or practicality. Some of the main benefits of this choice include:
- Not requiring a lot of maintenance;
- Being extremely easy to clean
- Being extremely long-lasting and resistant to corrosion and atmospheric agents
- Being resistant to thermal shock, water, fire, impact, abrasion, dust and mould
- Being resistant to chemical agents, household detergents and swimming-pool additives
- Resisting loads and being perfectly suited to very busy areas
- Posing no health risks as it is naturally formaldehyde, PVC and allergen free
- Being a light-weight material and easily cut to size
- Not changing colour or size nor deteriorating over time
- Being applicable to façades, floors, cladding and furnishing accessories
- Being non-skid and non-slip
- Reducing waste and with responsible production
- Offering sustainability integrated into the life cycle, from extraction to processing raw materials, right up to packaging and transporting the finished product.
Choosing porcelain stoneware products and finishes means embracing a more responsible approach towards the environment, contributing to the creation of a sustainable design and one capable of combining beauty and practicality from an ecological point of view.
