In building tomorrow’s landmarks, architects seek the timeless beauty of natural stone. Yet some of the most desired stones such as limestone and sandstone are also the softest, most porous and problematic in the long term.

Porcelain is stronger but most porcelains can’t match stone’s color variation and texture. Stone is created in nature by layering tiny particles of clay, minerals and sand. Tile innovator Mosa has developed an exclusive process which creates an individual texture and color mix using variously sized and pigmented grains that drift into place for tile that’s nearly indistinguishable from stone. Mosa’s experts reveal the top 5 areas for porcelain:

• High traffic areas: In public spaces stone is susceptible to wear patterns, scratching and staining, but wear-resistant porcelain tiles are safe to use.

• Where easy maintenance is required: Ideal for hotels, restaurants, hospitals, offices and busy households, porcelain has lower absorption rates and never needs sealing.

• Outdoors: Porcelain is frost-resistant, lightweight, easier to install and less costly than natural stone which requires extreme thickness in order to resist breakage from freeze-thaw conditions.

• In wet areas: Porous sandstones and limestones can’t be used in wet areas. Mosa’s Ultragres porcelain has low absorption rates that exceed ASTM standards, and looks gorgeous poolside.

• Where safety is a concern: There are safety standards set for porcelain, but not for stone. Choose porcelain poolside, in spas, lobbies, stairways, walkways and anywhere there’s a public safety concern.

For more tile tips and inspiration: http://magazine.mosa.com/en-us/