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Porcelain stoneware:
the advantages of versatile ceramics

There is one surface in the ceramic world which, more than any other, manages to combine beauty and high technical performance in a perfect combination: porcelain stoneware.

An ideal material for every type of style and architectural project, even the most innovative, which BOTTEGA produces in different sizes, colors and surfaces, creating collections with an innovative and contemporary design.

The advantages of porcelain stoneware

 

All BOTTEGA products undergo the tests required by the UNI EN 14411 standard, which aims to define and provide the norms, requirements and marking criteria for premium ceramic tiles. In addition, we constantly put in place internal product quality control procedures.

icona Sicuro, naturale e sostenibile

Safe, natural and sustainable

It comes from the earth, it contains no plastic and is recyclable.

icona Igienico

Hygienic

It is hypoallergenic, odorless and does not retain dirt and bacteria.

icona Resistente e durevole

Strong and long-lasting

It withstands the passage of time while maintaining its appearance. It does not lose its shape, nor is it affected by temperature changes or chemical cleaners.

icona Stabile

Stable

It is practical, stable and easy to install.

icona Ignifugo e termoconduttore

Fireproof and heat-conducting

It is fire resistant and an excellent heat conductor, ideal for underfloor heating.

icona Ideale per ogni tipo di applicazione

Ideal for all kinds of applications

Both indoors and outdoors with excellent slip resistance: from homes to offices, shops, restaurants, swimming pools, solariums, urban spaces and historic buildings.

icona Ideale per ogni tipo di superficie

Ideal for every type of surface

It can adapt to different types of surfaces: floors, wall units, tables and coffee tables, reception desks, kitchen worktops, tops and shower trays coordinated with floor and wall coverings.

Tips for laying and jointing
porcelain stoneware

icona che rappresenta l'installazione delle piastrelle senza distanziatori

Laying tiles is an operation that requires special attention at all stages.

phase 1

 

Before laying, it is necessary to

 

> check the suitability of the product and the presence of any defects not covered by the warranty in case these are reported after laying;

> check the tone, dimension and quality grade of material by drawing from several boxes to obtain an ideal color mix;

> check that the substrate is stable, dry, mature, not frozen and not excessively hot;

> choose suitable adhesives according to the intended use.

phase 2

 

During laying it is important to

 

> spread the adhesive properly so that no gaps are created between the tiles and the substrate;

> take care not to mark the material on the surface to be used with pencils (graphite) or indelible felt-tip pens, especially when it comes to ceramics with polished, satin-finished or lapped surfaces;

> use special diamond discs and specific tools to make the cuts and shapes required by the project.

joints

 

As far as joints are concerned, we suggest

end-to-end installation

 

The end-to-end installation of rectangular
tiles requires the tile to be staggered

by 6 cm and, in any case, by a maximum of 10 cm for sizes up to 100 cm per side

a maximum of 20-25 cm for larger sizes.

icona di una lampadina che rappresenta il consiglio di utilizzare giunti di dilatazione per ambienti di grandi dimensioni

In large environments, expansion joints must be regularly positioned while for small environments, simply leave a slight gap between the tile and the perimeter walls, which is then covered by the skirting board.

icona che rappresenta i distanziatori per l'installazione delle piastrelle

Tile levelling spacers are a system that makes it quick and easy to obtain levelled floors.

When laying floor and wall tiles of sizes with a side of more than 60 cm, levelling spacers are always best used because they make it possible to

 

  • > make the laid surface perfectly level
  • > maintain the desired position of each tile
  • > reduce laying time.
icona che rappresenta la stuccatura

Before jointing, it is best to carry out a preliminary test of the mortars or colored fillers with pigments which are to be used.

If cement sealants are used, after jointing the tiles – while the sealant is still fresh – excess sealant must be removed immediately with a sponge and plenty of water.

 

For special fields of application, e.g. if a waterproof joint is to be achieved, an epoxy mortar can be used, which must be applied by experienced tile layers: the incorrect application of epoxy mortars can, in fact, irreparably compromise the aesthetic and chromatic appearance of the tiles.

icona che rappresenta l'avvertenza per le superfici levigate

For polished, satin-finished or lapped porcelain stoneware surfaces, due to the micro-porosity caused by the abrasive action of the grinding wheels during the production process, no contrasting colored mortars or fillers can be used.

icona che rappresenta i consigli per la pulizia del gres porcellanato

Tips for cleaning porcelain stoneware

 

Once the job is finished, the installer must wash the floor with a solution of water and buffered acid to prevent inadequate or late removal of jointing residues leaving halos that are difficult to eliminate: more than 90% of complaints on the building site are due to poor, or even non-existent, washing after laying.

 

Once the descaling agent has been used, it is important to thoroughly rinse the surfaces until the washing water is clear. Liquid vacuum cleaners can be a valuable tool for removing dirty washing water.

 

The use of cleaning products containing hydrofluoric acid (such as rust inhibitors) will permanently damage the surface of any type of tile.

icona che rappresenta l'avvertenza per le superfici levigate

Recommended cleaning products

 

For cleaning operations, we recommend the use of Deterdek by FILA, an acid descaler that does not produce harmful fumes and combines a descaling action with an effective cleaning action. It is important to strictly keep to the recommended dilution percentages.

 

If epoxy mortar has been used, we specifically recommend the FILACR10 product.

For the routine maintenance of our porcelain stoneware tiles we recommend the use of FILA products. In particular, for floors with polished surfaces we recommend :

 

daily cleaning

with neutral FILA Cleaner

 

periodic stain-resistant impregnating treatments

to protect them from any damage caused by markers, ink, rust or other highly penetrable products.