Posted in Minoli
10th February 2023
The trend for constructing ever-more elaborate garages for coveted and collectable cars is gathering pace. As we regularly explore the project portfolios of designers, architects and developers, it’s clear that the provision of polished parking facilities is becoming a priority. Just look on Instagram or Pinterest and you’ll find both outstanding and outlandish examples of what people have created to accommodate their automobiles.
Creating special places to store and safeguard luxury and collectable cars is nothing particularly new, but we’re excited to see both specialist firms and the wider construction sector getting into the design and fit-out of increasingly ambitious bespoke garages.
This progressively active and innovative area of architecture and interior design spans from simple or specialist garage conversions, through to the creation of impressive ‘domestic car showrooms’ and subterranean ‘supercar caves’.
Some of the specialist equipment, building materials and componentry that’s being incorporated into the most adventurous and avant-garde design schemes include technically advanced, high security glazing and doors, futuristic lifts and turntables and bespoke lighting, furniture and fittings.
In our view, however, the most important consideration may be the choice of floor and wall covering, and high-performance porcelain tiles are the ideal solution.
Technological advancements in the production of the latest porcelain tiles have seen the emergence of new 20 mm thick ranges that are ideal for external use and vehicular traffic. These products can bear greater loads, are more resistant to chemicals and extreme temperatures, deliver excellent colour stability over time and have grippy textured surfaces that yield improved anti-slip properties.
Many of the ranges in the Minoli collection are available with complementary indoor and outdoor versions to match. Through garage doors, on walls and floors, and through to non-vehicle areas, near seamless transitions can be achieved. The 20 mm product with textured surface is particularly suitable for driveways, garage and workshop floors, wash-down areas and ramps.
What’s more, porcelain tiles are easy to clean and maintain, almost impervious to liquid and dirt and they come in an array of sizes, colours, and designs including minimalist concrete, organic stone, natural wood, metallics and even marble effect. With such variety in style and finish, luxury contemporary tiles can be paired with more robust and rugged partners, whatever the desired effect.
Here at Minoli, we have both a personal and professional passion for all things automotive, with a long-standing heritage in providing tiles to motor manufacturers and their networks, plus a range of motorcycle, collector and tuning specialists, as well as garaging solutions for private individuals.
Our clients not only include well-known premium and performance brands such as Lotus, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lexus, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Alpine, Ducati and the Yamaha World Superbike Team, but also collectors and independent specialists such as RPM Technik, Dura Workshop Systems, our friends at DK Engineering and Girardo & Co.