porphyry please

our stunning new Porfido range reimagines classical porphyry stone into durable Italian porcelain stoneware. The timeless appeal of this versatile and durable stone makes it the perfect external floor tile.

This range is offered in two standard size formats, 250x250mm and 250x500mm, and is accompanied by matching special pieces for pool surrounds and step edges. The 300x150x30mm Drop Edge provides a classic monolithic look with great design impact.

National Tiles selected this range in part due to its rich history. Porfido, the English translation of Porphyry, is a striking igneous rock featuring large quartz and feldspar crystals scattered in a fine-grained silicate-rich ground.

Porphyry derives from the Ancient Greek word for purple, the colour of royalty. Much prized for its hardness and deep tones, it was favoured for monuments and prestige buildings in Imperial Rome and has been used across Europe ever since.

Porfido has quickly become popular amongst commercial and residential clients. We sat down with Silvia Roldan from Studio Esar, one of Melbourne’s leading interior designers, to get her thoughts on this fantastic porcelain stone.

What do you love most about Porfido?

“The Porfido range is a fabulous substitute for any stone look tiles or finish for your outdoor area. The size of the tiles allows great flexibility to lay out a range of patterns and colour options, from light off-white, warm sand tones through to a dark grey, and means you’ll have endless options to work this in with your exterior palette.”

Which clients will be best suited to Porfido?

“Due to its timeless quality and the ability to use it with a wide variety of outdoor areas, we see this range suiting all clients looking to add something special to an outdoor entertaining area.”

How would you style this product in an outdoor setting?

“Steel framed furniture with fun outdoor fabrics, like velvet, or heavy linens to create softness when paired against the monolithic qualities of Porfido.”

What are the benefits of the bullnose edge for pool surrounds and step edges?

“The bullnose edge will soften the look of pools and step edges while enhancing the durability of the tile and making it less susceptible to chipping or breaking. The smooth appearance of the edge is also safer and creates a timeless appearance.”

Which tile in the range best speaks to your personal style?

“We love Porfido Rosso, the warmer grey colours work with everything!”

This brilliant porphyry imitation has several benefits over the natural stone that inspired it. It is more cost-effective to install and can be laid on a standard adhesive bed with a minimum 3mm grout joint. In contrast with most natural stone products that must be laid in a thick mortar bed.”

Added benefits include lower transport costs and easier site handling. Porfido porcelain tiles are just 10mm thick, whereas natural stone alternatives are typically 30 to 50mm thick. Finally, these tiles require minimal maintenance as they are not affected by UV light and do not require sealing.

For a much-prized porcelain stone tile that will complete your outdoor setting - look no further than Porfido.