Frequently Asked Questions

MIRAGE is a prime example of the outstanding quality Italian ceramic manufacturers are renowned for worldwide. Through research, innovative design and high-tech surfaces, Mirage combines simple formal solutions with structural solutions for designing and furnishing contemporary living spaces.
Over 130 million square metres of tiles laid in America, Europe, Asia and Oceania are living proof of the sound value and reliability of Mirage, a company that has written much of the story of porcelain stoneware worldwide.

Yes, the entire manufacturing process takes place exclusively in Italy.

A raised floor is a system composed of a support structure and a porcelain stoneware surface for walking on. It can be used both indoors and outdoors to respond to a large variety of requirements, such as the need for a flexible solution to design a setting, using surfaces that make it possible to access and make changes to the systems underneath, to change the layout of the areas, to guarantee rapid maintenance, etc.

• It saves energy, guaranteeing thermal insulation by limiting the dispersion of heat during cold weather and reducing the amount of heat absorbed during warm weather.
• It offers a healthier environment, by preventing thermal bridges, dispersing the dampness inside the building and ensuring excellent acoustic insulation.
• It maintains impressive technical and aesthetic performance, because the colours of the slabs remain unaltered over time and the surfaces do not absorb dust and dirt.
• It protects buildings from water, by keeping rainwater and ice away from the structure of the walls, thus reducing wear and tear and maintenance costs.
• It is suitable for renovation projects, because it can be applied on top of the existing plaster.

Ventilated facades are used to cover the outside walls of a building. This particularly advanced, innovative solution is both reliable and attractive to look at, and is aimed at boosting the efficiency of buildings and streamlining the construction process.

Yes, all the products in the Mirage catalogue are LEED compliant, and contribute to obtaining a maximum of 10 LEED credits, depending on the colour selected and how it is used.

No, quite the opposite. Thanks to the Hy-Pro24 treatment included in the surface structure of the material, Mirage porcelain stoneware is not only a high-performance material; it is also a photocatalytic, hygienising material that combats pollution and is self-cleaning on ventilated facades, combining all the advantages of Mirage porcelain stoneware with the benefits of titanium dioxide and the metal elements added to it.

From the control of emissions to the recycling of waste from the manufacturing process, our approach has always been based on strict ethical principles designed to effectively safeguard our habitat, in order to improve our own quality of life and in particular that of generations to come.
Proof of this is provided by the numerous certifications obtained by Mirage, including Ecolabel. All the collections in the catalogue are LEED compliant and in line with the IPPC directive, attesting to compliance with a series of stringent requisites and the use of the finest techniques available for industrial processes.

Suggestions for correct laying and cleaning 

Of course. Given its technical characteristics, such as frost resistance or the ability of the colours to remain unaltered over time, Mirage porcelain stoneware is perfect for outdoor applications.
However, the material used must be chosen based on the coefficient of friction required, which for outdoor surfaces must be higher than R10.

The width of the gap may vary depending on the size of the tiles and the use required of the flooring. Closed joint laying is not recommended; a minimum gap of 2-3 mm allows the filler to adhere better to the sides of the slabs, as well as for better absorption of any movement in the bed/support structure and better adjustment of the slabs.
In large areas, it is essential that expansion joints be laid regularly, while in smaller areas it is sufficient to leave a small space between the tiled area and the perimeter walls. This gap will then be covered by the skirting for a proper finish. In all cases, the design engineer or construction site manager will be able to provide appropriate advice/suggestions.

For best results, we suggest using tone-on-tone grouting to reduce the contrast (e.g. between a white tile and black grout), especially for lapped and polished tiles. After grouting porcelain stoneware tiles, it is important to remove excess filler before it sets, using a sponge and plenty of water.

Mirage porcelain stoneware boasts excellent technical performances, making it suitable for a variety of settings, both private and public (for large areas such as airports, underground stations and shopping malls, and commercial areas such as residences, offices, factories). Because of the way the surface is treated, some collections (such as Jewels, for instance) are suitable for use only on residential walls and floors, or surfaces subjected to minor foot traffic. Depending on where a particular product is to be used, it is therefore necessary to check whether it is suitable.

A distinctive feature of a number of Mirage collections are the colour differences between the slabs. This characteristic can be accentuated by taking slabs from random boxes so as to obtain the best possible blend of shades.
Mirage porcelain stoneware meets all the criteria required for innovative architecture, combining an attractive appearance with excellent technological performance.

Porcelain stoneware is a compact, hard-wearing material with next to no porosity (i.e. it absorbs practically no water). The distinctive feature of porcelain stoneware slabs is their composition, because only the purest materials – minerals, kaolin, feldspars and clay – are used to make up 99% of each individual tile, and colours of natural origin complete the attractive appearance.
The compacting process is carried out without the use of adhesives and resins, and the material is given an even appearance by means of mechanical pressing, using a pressure of 500 Kg per cm². It is then fired for a variable length of time in kilns of over 90 metres long, at temperatures of over 1250°.

Porcelain stoneware: Features and benefits

• A huge range of colours, sizes and finishes are available, making it versatile and easy to coordinate;
• It stands up to abrasion and wear better than any natural material; 
• Fire reaction class A1 – european law (non-combustible);
• It is easy to clean and does not absorb organic substances and bacteria liable to cause allergies and other problems. Strong detergents or disinfectants can be used; • It is frost resistant;
• It is stain resistant, and when used in the kitchen, oil, wine and coffee marks can be removed. The surface is not damaged or stained by perfumes, creams or nail varnish. Very strong detergents or solvents can be used without the risk of damaging the material.

Discover all the distinctive features of porcelain stoneware.