Different Types of Porcelain Tile Bodies
Porcelain tiles are composed of fine porcelain clays that are produced at very high temperatures. Depending on slight variations in production methods, different porcelain tiles are produced to fit different kinds of applications and designs.
In general, porcelain tiles can be categorized into 4 main body types: Homogeneous, Full coloured-body, Speckled-body & Double loading, and Off-white body.
Homogeneous body tiles
Homogeneous body tiles are full-body tiles where the surface design and colour runs through the cross-section thickness of the tile body. Homogeneous body tile is ideal for applications in medium to heavy foot traffic areas of residential areas such as kitchens, corridors, terraces, countertops, and bathroom floors. Heavy foot traffic areas in commercial, public, and industrial areas, such as commercial stores, shops, public walkways, schools, airports, public transport platforms and etc, where high durability and high wear-resistance are required will benefit from homogeneous body tiles.
Full Premium Coloured (Speckle and Coloured-Body) porcelain tiles
Full Premium Coloured (Speckle and Coloured-Body) porcelain tiles refer to porcelain tiles where the surface colour of the tile is closely matched by the entire cross-section thickness of the tile body which consists of matching colour materials. Fine speckled colour mixture or colour pigments are added to the tile mixture to ensure that the body of the tile will match the colour of the surface.
As for the Speckled-Body porcelain tiles, the speckle colour mixture also contributes to the design of the tile surface.
Both Full Coloured and Speckled-body tile offers both beauty and durability. The extra step in the manufacturing process to carefully match the surface of the tile will ensure surface durability as the colour of the body beneath closely resembles the colour of the glaze. They are suitable to be applied in medium to heavy foot traffic areas. It can be applied in medium foot traffic areas such as residential kitchen, countertops, backsplash, and corridors or light commercial areas, such as offices, reception areas, and interior walls. The tiles are also suitable in heavy foot traffic areas such as commercial stores, shops, and public walkways, airport concourse.
Double Loading or Double Layer porcelain tiles
Double Loading or Double Layer porcelain tiles consist of 2 layers of tile body, with the surface design materials running-through the top 3mm of the cross-section thickness of the top tile body, and the remaining cross-section thickness consisting of off-white colour materials at the bottom tile body. The two layers are fused together with extreme pressure and heat to form a single solid tile. The thick top layer prevents surface damage from revealing the base layer, thus providing durability at a bargain price.
Off-White body porcelain tiles
Off-White body porcelain tiles refer to porcelain tiles where the surface design and colour exist only on the surface of the tile whereas the entire cross-section thickness of the tile body consists of off-white colour materials. An Off-white body can produce a unique and beautiful design protected by a layer of glaze to ensure its durability. They are suitable to be installed at areas that anticipate light to moderate foot traffic where people typically walk in normal footwear and susceptible to a small amount of abrasive dirt. For example, residential areas such as halls, kitchen, bedroom, corridors, balconies, terraces, backsplashes, countertops, and bathroom floors can use the Off-White Body tiles. It is also suitable to be used in light commercial areas such as office interior walls and reception areas but it is not recommended for commercial entryways.
