What are thin format porcelain tiles?

What is a thin porcelain tile (TPT)?

Thin format porcelain tiles or sheets are characterised by their minimal thickness of anywhere between 3mm to 8 mm and often range from 750mm to 1000mm wide and up to 3 meters in length.

Previously, tiles needed to be 10mm to 12mm thick to even be considered for floor tiling, but not anymore.

How are thin format porcelain tiles produced?

Thin porcelain sheets are made out of natural materials such as clays, feldspar, silica and minerals. The tiles are manufactured by placing the natural raw materials and minerals in a kiln exposed to high pressure and temperatures reaching 1,500°C. 

The process itself is called sintering and involves compacting and forming a solid mass of material by heat or pressure, without melting it to the point of liquefaction.

Compaction occurs using two stiff motor-driven belts. The materials are deposited on the lower belt and carried inside the machine, where the combined action of the two belts and compaction rollers allows the material to form. 

What makes this process so effective is that different raw materials and colours can be combined to achieve various looks.

Where are thin porcelain tiles best suited?

Thin porcelain tiles (TPT) can be installed for both indoor and outdoor applications. Because the tiles are so thin, they are easy to cut and shape to fit your intended design.

It’s always best to ask a tile expert to determine the ideal thickness for your application, but in general we often see thin format porcelain tiles used in the home for:

• Kitchen countertops and backsplashes
• Bathroom walls and floors
• Feature walls
• Fireplaces
• Exterior cladding
• Swimming pools/ plunge pools

You can also use thin format tiles for commercial applications including:

• Feature walls for lobbies and common areas
• Bathroom walls and floors
• Front desk design
• Internals of elevators
• Countertops
• Exterior cladding

What are the benefits of using thin format porcelain tiles?

Thin porcelain tiles are becoming increasingly popular and there are a number of reasons why:

• TPT are lightweight (they are generally half the thickness of standard porcelain tiles)
• The reduced weight enables tiles to be produced in extra-large format such as 1.5 x 3 meters.
• Low maintenance – they are extremely hardwearing and won’t deform, crack or fade when applied outdoors
• Many different styles, colours and finishes to choose from 
• TPT can be laid over existing floors and walls reducing time and cost of removal, and less waste is generated
• The thin nature of the tile makes it easy to cut using conventional tiling tools suitable to cope with the size.
• The manufacturing process has a significantly lower environmental impact than standard porcelain tile products

In addition, independent tests have shown that thin format porcelain tiles are nearly twice as strong as thicker, conventional tiles. 

Perth’s thin porcelain tile specialists

Be inspired by Ceramic Tile Supplies’ range of thin format porcelain tiles. Browse our collection, visit our Myaree and Wangara showrooms to view the full range of tiles on display or book a one-on-one consultation.