The first thing that comes into most people’s minds when they hear the word ‘porcelain’ is fragile. However, porcelain tiles are quite the opposite! Originating in China, porcelain is a man-made ceramic material that forms when various clay materials, particularly kaolin, are heated at extremely high temperatures. Porcelain is actually an extremely strong and impermeable material. Its strength comes from the vitrification process and the formation of a mineral called mullite that is present after the clay is heated at such high temperatures. Also an incredibly versatile material, porcelain can be used in a variety of ways and is available in an array of finishes, colours and sizes. Thanks to its popularity and durability, porcelain is now manufactured around the world, including Spain and Italy which are renowned for their quality standards, which is why Solus source their porcelain tiles from these nations.