From Earth to Element

The earth provides the backdrop for every porcelain tile’s humble beginning. The raw 
materials sourced include clays and minerals and then enter a super controlled 
manufacturing process. The unique part of the journey for porcelain is not where it comes 
from, but what it becomes.
Intense heat and pressure take these natural elements through an incredible 
process that culminates in a complete transformation. Fundamental change happens to 
the base ingredients in the kiln where the temperature changes the structure of the the 
material, and creates a dense, durable surface with really low water absorption. The 
process changes ceramic into a true porcelain, thereby making it suitable for a wide variety 
of applications, that enhance the spectrum of interior residential spaces to exteriors that 
can take a beating from the elements, like temperature and sunlight, to resisting chemicals 
in a pool.
Porcelain tile’s performance is one layer of its appeal, and beyond it something else 
is happening. The journey that porcelain makes mirrors a kind of elemental transformation. 
You start with earth that is shaped by water, compressed by force, and refined through fire. 
The result is a material that is not just resilient but versatile and capable of taking on 
countless forms, while still able to maintain its integrity.
The technology available in the porcelain tile industry allow it to imitate the beauty 
of any material imaginable. But unlike many natural surfaces that have some limitations, it 
offers consistency, reliability, and easy maintenance. All of these qualities contribute to 
good modern design.
Knowledge of the process adds a level of appreciation for the designer that 
recognizes the craftsmanship and transformation behind it, not just the surface beauty. In 
this way, every porcelain tile carries its own story that starts with the raw earth to becoming 
its highest constitution as a refined surface. When porcelain enters a space in this way, it 
becomes its own narrative.