Carbon neutrality: the next big thing in tiles

Trends are always an important factor when it comes to building and decorating. The recent Cersaie Bologna Ceramic Fair – an international exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings – showcased many of the in-vogue styles entering the market today: improved 3D digital printed tiles, large-format porcelain slabs, hyper-realistic wood and stone-look tiles, muted and earthy tones, botanical motifs and more.

But perhaps one of the most significant trends is the move towards sustainability – important in an industry where, at a global level, buildings, homes and the construction sector are responsible for 36% of the world’s total energy consumption and 37% of all CO2 emissions related to energy.

“One of our main partners, COTTO D’ESTE, has managed to get their ultra-thin slabs to be carbon neutral,” says Carl Whiteman, director of Casa Italiana.

A universal surface for architecture, these large-format tiles are thin, versatile, easy to use and durable, thanks to an innovative production process that sees each tile reinforced with fibreglass.

Already a popular product, Carl expects the demand for Kerlite tiles in New Zealand to only increase: “The products offer a real benefit of coming in a range of sizes and being able to be installed with the Kerlite easy solution. It’s quite special that they’re now carbon neutral.”

For environmentally-conscious homeowners, designers and architects, the advanced technology used by Kerlite means the production of ultra-thin slabs uses less water, less energy, less raw materials, less pollution and zero carbon emissions with the company compensating for 100% of CO2 used.

“It’s great to be able to recommend a product to architects and designers that’s carbon neutral and focused on green thinking,” says Carl.

While the tiles certainly tick the box on the sustainability front, they also come in a stunning range of colours and finishes.

From the dark matte browns and glossy creams in the Vanity collection – each tile featuring marble veining with nuances of colour flowing across the surface – to the Lithos collection with tones and textures reminiscent of natural stone, Kerlite’s range covers a variety of tastes and aesthetics.

Popular trends of the Cersaie Bologna Ceramic Fair – including floral motifs and oxidised metal-look surfaces – are also answered to.

Providing the ability to bring a burst of personality to any space, the Wonderwall collection interprets wallpapers with slabs made from Kerlite’s ultra-thin, large-format porcelain stoneware. Designs such as ‘Fleur’, ‘Jungle’, ‘Lotus’ and ‘Foliage’ celebrate colour and organic pattern, many decorated with a special three-dimensional print with a bas-relief effect.

All designs are carbon neutral and can be used in many applications, from bathrooms to external cladding. Kerlite’s metallic slabs, in particular, are a striking inclusion to external facades and modern outdoor spaces – with corten and iron effects available.

“They’re all specialty products that we bring in for our customers,” says Carl.

Explore the range of carbon-neutral Kerlite tiles from Casa Italiana on ArchiPro, or visit a showroom to view the full catalogue.

Words by Cassie Birrer