5 Stunning Ways to Use Large Format Porcelain in Your Design

When we talk with customers about their design plans, the topic of porcelain tiles usually comes up. Questions like what is large format porcelain? How and where can I use it? Is it expensive? Is it a tough enough material to stand the test of time? In this article, we’ll answer all of that and more.

Here at Archant, we specialise in fabricating and installing porcelain. We also stock a wide selection of large format tiles in our warehouse in Hawke’s Bay. Yet as one of the premiere educational resources for interior design in New Zealand, we also relish the opportunity to educate people on style options both big and small.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a much better understanding of how you can use our large format porcelain products to beautify your design.

1) Porcelain is a Fantastic Flooring Solution

With the recently announced E3/AS1 guidelines for timber flooring in wet areas, you may be looking for an alternative solution. Using large format porcelain, you can create a stunning, easy to maintain floor in a bathroom, kitchen, or any area where water is present.

With our oversized porcelain sheets, you would not need to purchase many tiles. This will effectively reduce cost, but it’s also advantageous for the overall look of the space. Less grout makes the area feel larger. It’s also easier to clean in comparison to smaller tiles.

2) Elegant Walls of Porcelain

Porcelain can be made to look like nearly any material imaginable including concrete, metal, and marble. On a wall, this can work to add a high level of sophistication to any residential or commercial space. Whether you want to create an industrial look or a classic space that stands the test of time, porcelain is a game changing option.

Although porcelain walls will look amazing, they are anything but fragile. Maintenance is a cinch as you can simply wipe them down with a soft cloth and warm water. For added peace of mind, our large format slabs come with a lifetime warranty.

3) Porcelain Benchtops and Islands

Benchtops and islands are two of the most common applications of porcelain. Since our slab sizes are very large, it helps to keep costs down. Most of our large format slabs measure 3200x1600mm. By purchasing just one slab you can create an island bench up to 3200x900 plus an additional hob bench up to 3200x650mm.

Most of our slabs come in thicknesses of 6mm, 12mm, and some are even available in 20mm. Of these, 12mm is most common for a benchtop. Using a substrate material called WEDI, these can all be increased to nearly any thickness. We can then fit a front piece of porcelain to make the edge appear as a thick piece of stone.

These options offer customers a huge potential for creative design. Just note, the more substrate is used, the more material and labour is required. This has a direct impact on pricing.

4) Porcelain Splashbacks That Shine

A porcelain splashback is a gorgeous and functional finishing touch. Not only does it protect your walls from grease and food splatter, but it adds definitive style. You can use our unique A&B slabs to seamlessly continue the design pattern from the bench into the splashback.

Porcelain’s robust level of durability make it a fantastic choice for high-traffic areas. It is extremely resistant to stains, scratches, humidity, and water. It can even be used outdoors without risk of yellowing or fading from UV rays.

5) Other Creative Applications of Large Format Porcelain

While porcelain surfaces are strong, it can be cut and crafted specifically for your design. We’ve seen porcelain used to create magnificent staircases in grand entryways. For a truly cohesive and show stopping look, we can even create a porcelain dining room tables that match the benchtop and splashback.

With the incredible heat resistance of porcelain, it makes for a safe and beautiful product to use around fireplaces. This isn’t a comprehensive list, but just a few more unique ways in which we’re using porcelain in homes and businesses around New Zealand.

The Many Benefits of Large Format Porcelain

As a versatile and stylish solution with countless practical applications, it’s hard to find a better option than porcelain. Your tile can be selected to match the existing space for a cohesive look, or to add bold contrast. Add to this a strong and durable finish, and you have a material that’s suitable for all areas. With its low maintenance nature and quick clean-up, it’s easy to see why porcelain is a favourite choice amongst many customers.

The Archant Advantage

Our fabricators are experts at working with porcelain. We use the safest protocol and most advanced tools. As a dedicated team committed to providing a world class product, our installers complete frequent training sessions to be on the forefront of porcelain design.

Since we stock large format porcelain slabs here in New Zealand, there is no need to wait 12-16 weeks for materials to arrive from overseas. This results in a quick turnaround time of your project. Coupled with our team’s meticulous attention to detail, and you can rest easy knowing the outcome will exceed your expectations.