• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
  • AWARDS
  • EDUCATION
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Breaking Flooring News
  • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
  • Carpet & Area Rugs
  • Hardwood
  • Installation Products
  • Installation Tools & Equipment
  • Laminate
  • Resilient
  • Specialty
  • Tile & Stone
  • MARKETS
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • AWARDS
  • Installation Awards
  • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
  • Continuing Education
  • Webinars
  • MEDIA
  • FLOOR Podcast
  • Videos
  • TISE 2025 Videos
  • Product Spotlights
  • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Floor CoveringsTile & Stone Flooring

Advances in Tile

By FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
MSI's Dekora
MSI, supplier of Natural Stone ledgers, is now launching the Dekora program, a 3D porcelain ledger version with the convenience and no maintenance frills of porcelain.
Pentaltek gauged porcelain
Pentaltek gauged porcelain slabs offer a nearly seamless design solution for floors, walls and countertops.
Neolith's premium sintered stone

Neolith expands its ¾-inch range of premium sintered stone surfacing solutions.

cabinet displays in Tile America showroom
Warm wood cabinets and wood-look porcelain warm up the Tile America showrooms.
bathroom vignette in Tile America showroom
A bathroom vignette showcases how to mix and match tiles.
MSI's Dekora
Pentaltek gauged porcelain
Neolith's premium sintered stone
cabinet displays in Tile America showroom
bathroom vignette in Tile America showroom
April 6, 2018

Innovations in the ceramic tile industry are everywhere, bringing products to market that offer homeowners and commercial specifiers greater technology and design options. Current trends in style and technology are providing retailers more opportunities to expand their ceramic and porcelain portfolios, to boost sales, and provide specifiers more solutions to create beautiful, hardworking residential and commercial spaces.

“Classic stone looks are very popular right now, as well as concrete looks,” said Peter Pental, chief operating officer of Pental Surfaces, an Architectural Surfaces Group company, and a tile and stone distributor that services 10 states in the western U.S. “Everyone wants a limestone/sandstone look without the maintenance. Large format tile is super popular as well, as it looks more elegant and higher end. Most tile on the market today is good quality, so it’s really the format that sets one tile apart from another.”

In term of large scale, gauged porcelain slabs continue to grow in popularity in North America. These nonporous surfaces are etch and stain resistant, making the material suitable for a variety of kitchen and bathroom projects—ranging from floors to walls to countertops—in both commercial and residential properties. Gauged porcelain panels provide the seamless look of continuous natural stone for a fraction of the cost of stone, and unlike natural stone, they require no routine maintenance and can be installed with minimal grout lines.

“Large-format thin tiles can be used as either slab or tile and are ideal for flooring since it allows for the look without the thickness issues that came with using stone slab on the floor,” Pental said. 

Amber Leigh Hartman, Daltile senior marketing manager, said she’s seeing gauged porcelain panels, such as Daltile’s Panoramic collection, being embraced by more flooring dealers, particularly those who are also marketing themselves as kitchen and bath remodelers.

“You have to present yourself as someone who can provide a whole home design,” said Hartman. “We want to lead that charge, and we want to help our dealers connect our product to fabricators and installers. A big trend we’re seeing is creating a clean experience with large seamless slabs on the floor that match the countertop and match the wall. The opportunities with designing with slabs, and what traditionally would be a countertop material, are endless.”

Some are taking gauged technology a step further. Combining design and advanced cooking technology, Ascale by Tau slabs with TPB Tech technology enable induction cooking directly on the porcelain surface, eliminating the need for a  glass-ceramic induction cooktop, making it possible to prep, cook and eat in a single space. “Technology has also been an area we’re seeing increased activity,” Pental noted.

Pental said A&D specifiers want to know the product will perform, and they are interested in the technical data and also love when a product is LEED certified. “When Pental started selling tile in 2004, we carried separate lines for residential and commercial use. Now it’s a hybrid because the looks and functionality can go either way.”

Taking a cue from the world of fashion, mixing patterns in decor is on the rise. Moving beyond the classic subway tile, there are many modern patterns in porcelain and ceramic tile offerings that are making bold statements in 2018.

“3D tile is very popular, as well as geometric and organic shapes including hexagon, diamond, esagono, and triangle,” Pental said. The three-dimensional looks for wall are creating visual interest by playing with shape and light reflection to define spaces. 

“We’ve seen this trend emerging over the last year or two, and now the 3D metallic look is emerging as we see a lot of fixtures are going toward interesting metallic tones, lots of gold, metallic, brass,” said interior designer and Coverings show ambassador Alena Capra. “The light captures at so many angles, it creates a lot of visual interest. When it’s lit well, it pops and adds impact to a space.”

Experts also predict that a retro revival is occurring, with the use of midcentury and classic looks, such as encaustic, beginning to rise. On the modern side, natural stone porcelain looks are showing less movement and clean lines, with light colors best.

“The industrial looks can be anything from cement to oxidized metal—that real warehouse type feel,” Capra said. “Sometimes you don’t necessarily want to use the natural products; it’s easier to use tile for cleaning purposes, for maintenance, for longevity.”

Digital printing continues to improve, and today, manufacturers are photographing natural stone and printing it onto tile with virtually no repeat. “This way they can get the look of natural stone without the maintenance,” Pental added.
 


Read more: Tile America Debuts Custom Showrooms

KEYWORDS: ceramic tile porcelain tile

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Installation How-To
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Commercial Flooring
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
Previous 1 2 Next
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

close

1 COMPLIMENTARY ARTICLE(S) LEFT

Loader

Already a Registered User? Sign in now.

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

More Videos

Popular Stories

Ken Ballin manning the Tools 4 Flooring booth in Tool Alley at TISE 2025

10 Tool Innovations Every Flooring Contractor Should Have on Their Wish List

RevWood American Originals.jpg

How Mohawk's Domestic Manufacturing Powers Growth in Challenging Times

Paul Hambidge

The Waterproof Laminate Myth: Why Consumer Expectations May Never Be Met

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Events

June 9, 2025

NeoCon 2025

A trade show for the commercial interior design industry.

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Flooring Groups

Flooring retailers, do you belong to a buying, marketing or franchise group?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Candice Held’s boutique shop

    Case Study: Advances in Retail Flooring

    See More
  • Freedonia-Kitchen-Remodel

    Strong Advances Expected in Kitchen and Bath Remodeling

    See More
  • Mohawk's SmartStrand Silk Reserve

    Advances in Soft Surfaces

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • M:\General Shared\__AEC Store Katie Z\AEC Store\Images\Flooring images\new FL site\Glass_Tile_Inspirations.gif

    Glass Tile Inspirations for Kitchens And Baths

  • thetilebook.jpeg

    The Tile Book: HISTORY, PATTERN, DESIGN

  • M:\General Shared\__AEC Store Katie Z\AEC Store\Images\Flooring images\new FL site\tile-style-for-home.gif

    Tile Style for the Home

See More Products

Related Directories

  • In Home Flooring

    In Home Flooring offers residential homeowners a wide range of flooring options. Flooring Services in Denver include Carpet Installation, Laminate Flooring Installation, Vinyl Flooring Installation, Hardwood Flooring Installation, and Tile Flooring Installation. To ensure that your style and budget are met, I will work closely with you to find the right flooring solution. See why In Home Flooring is Denver's most dependable flooring company by contacting us today!
×
MSI, supplier of Natural Stone ledgers, is now launching the Dekora program, a 3D porcelain ledger version with the convenience and no maintenance frills of porcelain.
Pentaltek gauged porcelain slabs offer a nearly seamless design solution for floors, walls and countertops.
Neolith expands its ¾-inch range of premium sintered stone surfacing solutions.
Warm wood cabinets and wood-look porcelain warm up the Tile America showrooms.
A bathroom vignette showcases how to mix and match tiles.

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP