Creating seamless surface transitions between interior and exterior living spaces
In a series of articles over the coming weeks, we’ll be exploring the latest porcelain product ranges that offer both complementary interior tiles and exterior specification paving.
Sourced from the top-tier designers and producers of porcelain tiling in Italy, the Minoli offering for interior and garden designers, architects, housebuilders and property developers now comprises a holistic system of surface solutions for walls and floors, inside and outdoors.
We’ve compiled an unprecedented portfolio to fulfil the most forward-thinking interior and exterior design requirements and integrated architectural schemes. With carefully curated, contemporary and classic collections, the breadth of designs include natural stone and concrete effects through to those that emulate marble, wood and metallic finishes.
The pace of innovation in the manufacture of new surface treatments, sizes and patterns is remarkable and the products now featured in Minoli’s product ranges are purposefully focused on providing comprehensive, cutting edge and creative solutions to fulfil the increasingly diverse needs of top-flight design practices.
Progressive product developments
Advancements in tiles for indoor use have seen the emergence of extended lines of extra-large formats that allow uninterrupted floor to ceiling coverage, a wider availability of different finishes including polished, matt, textured, structured and hammered, higher definition graphics and new techniques in transparent layering that produce designs with unprecedented depth and movement.
Over recent years however, beyond tiles for interior use, Minoli’s Italian production partners have focused investment into the delivery of high-performance outdoor porcelain paving. The progressive developments in aesthetics mentioned above are also now evident in the expanding product lines that are purposefully produced in a durable 20 mm thickness with increased load bearing, frost proofing and slip-resistance for exterior installations.
As such, many in Minoli’s extensive ranges have coordinating interior tiles and exterior pavers to match, so very consistent indoor to outside transitions can be achieved. We also stock a wide choice of complementary ranges that have different designs and colour palettes with compatible sizes. These can be laid to deliver visual alignment, but also fulfil requirements for a greater step-change in surface, whether within blended schemes or to create bolder breakpoints.
A 9 mm indoor tile, which may be matt or gloss and easy to clean, is paired with a grippy, 20 mm external counterpart with a higher anti-slip rating, such as those ranging R11 and above. With outdoor paving now available in sizes up to 120/120, many of the Minoli series allow designers to achieve continuity of large format flooring through bi-fold doors to patios and terraces.
The advantages of porcelain
Overall, whether for inside applications or for installation outdoors, compared to natural materials, porcelain tiles are more durable, stain and fade resistant, easier to clean and maintain, do not require sealing, are more uniform in production and so easier to install. With crisp rectified edges and exact calibrated sizes, interior and exterior porcelain products can be fitted with greater precision allowing for highly technical designs to be realised within both private residences and commercial properties.
What’s more, these cutting-edge manufacturing methodologies take porcelain stoneware to new levels of realism and bring new dimensions in texture and tone. Not only are we seeing unmatched representation of the irregular markings found in the natural surfaces, with greater diversity in pattern frequency, manufactured ceramics become almost indiscernible from their quarried counterparts, but with many practical and environmental advantages.
An increasingly important consideration in modern building specifications is the sustainability of both the materials used in construction and the performance of the final built environment. Porcelain paving is manufactured according to energy and water-efficiency criteria, and it is an environmentally friendly choice due to its long-lasting and recyclable characteristics. Furthermore, its production is ‘zero waste’, based on the use of natural and always reusable materials, and porcelain pavers do not contain any volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, PVC, plastics or petroleum derivatives.
Supply and service solutions
In short, the new technologies employed in the production of Italian porcelain continue to raise both creative and quality benchmarks and new transportation techniques enable Minoli to stock and supply a greater diversity of sizes and specifications to professional and residential clients, from our centrally located warehouses, here in the UK.
In addition to our proficiency in importing and distributing tiles, we also have expert teams at our showrooms in London and at our Oxford Distribution Centre, and dedicated account managers, working with our corporate clients and design practices throughout the Capital, Home Counties, Southeast and Southern England.
For architects, interior designers, housebuilders and property developers, whether for small-scale room refurbishments to complete property renovations, new build developments or commercial, workplace and hospitality projects, we provide a range of services to support their business needs:
- Design consultations in-store or at a preferred location
- Product and technical insights for designers, architects and specifiers
- Detailed specifications for residential and commercial projects
- Client and customer meeting facilities
- Sample selection and ordering
- Fixatives and accessories
- Tile ordering and delivery
- Stockholding for bespoke schemes
With a portfolio of precision porcelain tiles, large format slabs, outdoor paving and cladding, mosaics and décor ranges, Minoli now has all the products to realise the concept of ‘Connected Living – Inside & Out’, with a service considered second to none.
Get connected with Minoli
For more details or to explore the Minoli’s system of surface solutions in person, why not contact our teams today:
Minoli Oxford – 01865 778225 / showroom@minoli.co.uk
Minoli London – 020 7474 2934 / thesurfacewithin@minoli.co.uk
Existing Corporate Clients – Please contact your account manager directly
Outdoor Product Enquiries – Shaun Liptrot – 01865 778225 / outdoor@Minoli.co.uk
Stay tuned as we showcase the ranges that enable seamless surface transitions between interior and exterior living spaces across our news and social channels.