Indoors and Outdoors: porcelain panels conquer new spaces

Due to their perfect flatness, extremely low weight and ex­cellent physical and mechanical properties, Laminam large-size ceramic panels are widely used in architecture and interi­or design.

These versatile solutions are becoming increasing­ly popular both for traditional applications and for uses that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. This suc­cess is a result of recent technological advances in the man­ufacturing and decoration processes (developed by System), which allow excellent technical performance to be combined with a modern, sophisticated design.

Resistant to weathering, UV radiation and even the highest levels of stress, the 1000x3000 mm panels with thicknesses from 3 to 5 mm are already widely used as exterior façade claddings. 

Due to their hygiene, ease of cleaning, resistance to fire, heat, wear and scratching and their long-term colour stability, they are also ideal for interior design applications, both as floor and wall coverings and as customised surfaces for counter­tops, tables and furnishing accessories.

Last year Laminam unveiled its extra-large 1620x3240 mm format in a 12 mm thickness designed specifically for use on horizontal indoor and outdoor surfaces. For these applica­tions, some of the material’s other characteristics really come into their own, including high resistance to fungi, mould and cleaning products (acids, bases, solvents and disinfectants), making these products the perfect alternative to stone for customisable tables, worktops, bathroom vanity tops and kitchen counters, as well as large, high-end kitchen islands. The natural hygiene of porcelain panels is also a key factor in this context, as well as the fact that surfaces are fully compat­ible with foodstuffs (they do not release substances in solu­tion) and are resistant to deep abrasion and even the most in­sidious stains (wine, coffee, lemon and olive oil).

The material’s strength and resistance is even more evident when used in outdoor applications. The colour properties of the extra-large panels used for tables and worktops are unaf­fected by exposure to sunlight, and the material is totally re­sistant to frost and to both low and high temperatures, even in the case of sudden changes in weather. Moreover it is im­mune to size changes even in the event of long-term contact with moisture.

Along with these characteristics, Laminam surfaces also have self-cleaning properties thanks to the innovative Hydrotect® photocatalytic treatment provided by the company in partnership with the Japanese giant Toto.

Discover all the projects carried out with Laminam panels: read the full article published on Ceramic World Review 116/2016