Be inspired by Cotto d'Este collections, porcelain stoneware tiles and ultra-thin slabs in Kerlite with a modern, classic or design taste. Choose the effect, combine the colors and find the solution for your environment.
In this section you will find the most frequently asked questions about porcelain stoneware and Kerlite
Kerlite
WHAT IS KERLITE?
"Kerlite" is laminated stoneware obtained by means of an extremely innovative production system, which is the outcome of the latest technology.
It is produced in whole slabs of size up to 300x100 cm without using dies. Kerlite is pressed at a force of 27,000 tons.
A fully automated cutting line allows different sizes to be cut.
HIGHEST STANDARDS IN QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE
Thanks to the use of the best raw materials
HIGHLY COMPACT AND ELASTIC SLABS
Thanks to a unique pressing process
EXCELLENT AESTHETIC LOOK OF THE PRODUCTS
Thanks to exclusive surface processing technologies
EXTRAORDINARY ADDED RESISTANCE
Thanks to the reinforcing fibreglass mesh
HIGHLY ECO-FRIENDLY
Less raw materials used, lower water and energy consumption and lower CO2 emissions
HOW IS KERLITE LAMINATED PORCELAIN PRODUCED?
An innovative interpretation of the production process has lead to development of machinery that breaks new grounds. The production system is characterised by a high level of automation and the process takes place with a considerable reduction of dust, noise and emissions. Kerlite laminated stoneware is made using the same "families" of raw materials that are used for conventional porcelain stoneware tiles: clay, kaolin and feldspar. However for the production process, innovative and patented pressing, decorating and firing systems are employed.
The production process is highly automated. Each stage is controlled by process supervisors; semi-finished and finished products are handled by laser guided vehicles. All technology employed does not create mud and waste water that needs to the treated. The consumption of energy - basically electric - is particularly low.
These systems reduce the impact on the environment, thanks to the extremely low emissions of CO2 and other harmful gases and to reduction of dust that is let out into the environment.
IS KERLITE EASY TO PROCESS?
A particular feature of Kerlite is that it is extremely easy to cut, shape and drill using automatic machines and tools for processing glass and porcelain stoneware.
Kerlite slabs have an original thickness of only 3,5, 5,5 and 6,5 mm; this makes them flexible, light and extremely easy to handle.
The minimum thickness is the innovative feature, which makes the product suitable for a variety of different applications.
There are 14 standard sizes:
50x50 cm
60x60 cm
50x100 cm
100x100 cm
20x120 cm
60x120 cm
120x120 cm
50x150 cm
20x180 cm
30x240 cm
100x250 cm
120x260 cm
33x300 cm
100x300 cm
CAN YOU SEND ME AN INSTRUCTION HANDBOOK FOR INSTALLATION OF KERLITE?
The Kerlite technical manual, containing all the advice and instructions for installing and cutting Kerlite laminated stoneware, can be downloaded in PDF format here.
CAN I INSTALL KERLITE PLUS ON AN EXISTING WOODEN FLOOR?
Installation on an existing wooden floor is possible. However, make sure that the existing floor is firmly secured in place and perfectly flat. Sandpaper the surface of the parquet until it is rough.
CAN I INSTALL KERLITE PLUS ON AN EXISTING MARBLE FLOOR?
As far as old ceramic, cotto, stone, marble or PVC floors are concerned, make sure they are sound and firmly fixed. The existing floor must be dry, stable, sound, perfectly flat and clean, which means that there must be no brittle fragments compromising adhesion of Kerlite Plus.
Flatness checking should be performed using a screed with a length of at least 2 metres. Place the screed on the old floor in all directions and, if necessary, compensate for any differences in level.
Eliminate any residues of oil, grease or wax by washing with a solution of water and caustic soda followed by thorough rinsing. If chemical cleaning is not possible, adopt mechanical abrasion techniques.
Of course! The high technical performance of Kerlite, in particular its resistance and cleanability, make it ideal for any environment that must be hygienic and clean.
In particular, the exclusives 100x300 cm and 120x260 cm sizes reduces grouting to a minimum to guarantee the utmost hygiene.
IS KERLITE SUITABLE AS KITCHEN TOP MATERIAL?
Of course. Kerlite is very versatile and is recommended for kitchen tops.
Cutting, drilling and shaping of slabs is particularly simple, which makes Kerlite suitable for kitchen tops. The high firing temperature of the slabs make Kerlite resistant to heat, which means that it resists scorching hot pots and pans.
Kerlite does not absorb liquid and odours and does not hold back dirt.
Porcelain stoneware is a hard and compact ceramic material that is coloured and non-porous. "Stoneware" means that the ceramic body of the tile is extremely vitrified and therefore compact and featuring a high mechanical strength.
This ceramic body is obtained starting from a mixture of clay, sand and other natural substances. After being suitably prepared, these mixtures are fired at a high temperature (1000 – 1300 C°).
One of the most outstanding features of porcelain stoneware is its extremely high resistance to abrasion, in other words the resistance that the surface has with regards to the movement of bodies, surfaces or materials that come into contact with it.
IS PORCELAIN STONEWARE SUITABLE FOR INSTALLATION ON HEATED FLOORS?
All Cotto d’Este porcelain stoneware floors, by virtue of their great heat conductivity, which is equal to 1.3 Watt/m °K or 1.1 Kcal/m h °C (refer to EN 12524:2001 standard), are highly recommended for installation on heated floors.
Care and Cleaning
WHICH DETERGENTS SHOULD ONE USE FOR CLEANING AFTER INSTALLATION?
“Post-installation” cleaning helps remove residues of joint grouts, cement and lime. This operation is mandatory after installation both for glazed and unglazed tiles. Never clean tiles that are too hot (e.g. exposed to sunlight during hot summer months) since the reaction of aggressive chemicals may become harsher. In the summer, proceed with the operation during the coolest period of the day.
For instructions on cleaning and maintenance of Kerlite you can download the dedicated manual.
HOW TO CLEAN PORCELAIN STONEWARE?
For instructions on cleaning and maintenance of porcelain stoneware you can download the dedicated manual.
Services
DOES COTTO D'ESTE SELL DIRECTLY?
Cotto d’Este does not sell directly but only through its network of Recommended Retailers.
You will find a list of these in the Sales Network section of our web site.
CAN I VISIT YOUR SHOWROOM? WHEN?
Our showroom is open as follows:
from Monday to Friday, from 0.30 to 12.30 and from 14.30 to 18.30.
Please remember that our materials are only sold by Recommended Retailers.
HOW CAN I OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT PRICES?
For information about prices, contact our Recommended Retailers. You will find a list of these in the Sales Network section of our web site.
THINk ZERO
WHAT DOES “CARBON NEUTRAL” MEAN?
Carbon neutrality, as defined by the IPCC (United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) in 2018, is the “situation in which net anthropogenic CO₂ emissions are offset globally by anthropogenic removal of CO₂ over a specified period of time”. The primary actions are reducing and compensating. Since achieving zero emissions is not yet possible with today’s technology, in order to reduce emissions companies must engage in activities that offset them, like reforestation or sustainable mobility projects.
WHAT IS EMBODIED CARBON?
<p>According to the <a href="http://worldgbc.org/advancing-net-zero/embodied-carbon/" target="_blank">World Green Building Council</a>, embodied carbon emissions originate from construction materials and processes, throughout every phase of a building or infrastructure’s life cycle. Embodied carbon emissions include extraction of materials, transport to the manufacturer, actual production, transport to the construction site, construction, the use, maintenance, repairs, replacements, renovations, demolishing, transport of demolished structures, processing, and disposal.</p>
WHAT IS A CARBON NEUTRAL TILE OR CO2-NEUTRAL TILE?
A carbon neutral tile is a ceramic or stoneware tile whose associated carbon emissions have been offset with carbon credits through participation in specific projects certified by third parties.
WHAT ARE CARBON CREDITS AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
Carbon trading is the market that allows companies to buy and sell so-called carbon credits, or rather the right to emit a certain amount of CO2. The goal of carbon trading, which dates back to the Kyoto Protocol and began in 2005, is to gradually reduce total emissions.
Carbon credits, also known as carbon offsets, are certificates that represent a ton of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases that have been reduced or removed from the atmosphere. These are purchased by companies in order to help offset the CO2 emissions that they produce. These purchases fund projects by other companies which reduce or absorb carbon emissions. This allows products whose total carbon footprint cannot be eliminated through further interventions in their production process, to be declared carbon-neutral.
WHAT ELSE DOES PANARIAGROUP DO TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY IN THE SECTOR OF CERAMIC SURFACES FOR FLOORING AND CLADDING?
Panariagroup is a leader in sustainability. The THINk ZERO project is the result of the Group’s commitment to pursuing a practical and concrete approach to sustainability, as evidenced in the certified Sustainability Report that it publishes every year.