More than any other material, Italian ceramic products optimise the comfort and quality of living spaces, both indoors and outdoors.
The alternative to air-conditioning systems
Italian ceramic products are the ideal choice for improving the thermal comfort of buildings without the need for air conditioning. In Europe, housing is responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to heating and air-conditioning systems. Italian ceramic products have a positive impact on the microclimate, contributing to living comfort and protection of the environment. The following are a few examples of how ceramic products can be used in this way:
- Ceramic ventilated façades improve the energy efficiency of buildings by 35%. They are easy to install and are resistant to shock, scratching and weathering.
- Ceramic roof tiles have a high thermal emissivity, they are recyclable and they last for decades. Ventilated roofs allow for natural ventilation, creating an air barrier that keeps the building warm in winter and cool in summer.
- Ceramic surfaces regulate humidity naturally, ensuring a comfortable indoor climate while protecting walls from unsightly stains.
Air quality
Italian ceramic products help to improve the quality of the air we breathe inside buildings, both at home and in the workplace. Ceramic tiles and furnishing elements are healthy because they are made exclusively from natural materials such as clays, feldspars and kaolin which do not contain harmful chemicals and their VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions are within legal limits and significantly lower than those of other surfaces.
In addition, Italian ceramic tiles do not absorb odours, paint fumes or other airborne contaminants. For these and other reasons, the use of Italian ceramic tiles contributes to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for the indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency and environmental impact of buildings.
The importance of aesthetics
To ensure a high level of living comfort, the advantages in terms of environmental sustainability must go hand in hand with aesthetic and architectural quality. The Italian ceramic industry combines care for the environment with a constant search for solutions that cater to the latest trends in architecture and design. Ceramic surfaces create stunning floors and walls that reproduce the original natural material in meticulous detail. Likewise, the distinctive style of Italian porcelain and ceramic tableware enhances the excellence of Italian food, whether at home or in a bar or restaurant.