Large Format Porcelain — A Specifier’s Resource
Large format porcelain gives architects and designers a single material language across a project: facades, wall cladding, worktops, floors, furniture and bathrooms. Clay International is the sole UK distributor of Infinity Surfaces, the Italian large-format specialist, with slabs held in stock at our London and Manchester warehouses and a founder whose background stems from decades of surface fabrication.
Formats and thicknesses
- Working area up to 3200 x 1600mm in 6mm and 12mm — enough for full-height cladding panels, island worktops with minimal joins, and bookmatched feature walls.
- 6mm — lightweight cladding, wall panels, furniture and doors. Particularly useful when refacing existing surfaces, saving demolition and preparation time (often with no need to remove existing tiles). On large commercial projects this can significantly accelerate site works.
- 12mm — kitchen worktops (a cost-friendly option when installed without labour-intensive mitred edges), dining table tops, tea stations, exterior cladding, outdoor kitchen and BBQ areas, and internal flooring.
- 20mm — available at 1590 x 1620mm (unrectified). Suits solid-feel kitchen worktops, outdoor kitchens, dining table tops, and applications where a larger overhang is desired or less structural support is available.
Thickness selection is application-led; we advise on spans, substrates and support at specification stage so the detail is right before it reaches the fabricator. See our Finishes & Edges guide.
Why specify large format porcelain?
- Fired above 1,200°C with no resin content: heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, stain-resistant and frost-resistant.
- UV-stable — colourfast on facades, in glazed extensions and outdoors.
- Virtually non-porous, hygienic and easy to maintain, with no sealing regime for the life of the building.
- Consistent calibre and rectified edges for tight, predictable joints.
- Marble, stone, concrete, metallic and plain-colour ranges — including bookmatched pairs — deliver the natural-material aesthetic with engineered performance.
Applications
One slab range can carry a whole scheme: kitchen worktops and islands, full-height splashbacks, bathroom walls and vanity tops, fireplace surrounds, wall cladding and feature walls, furniture and joinery faces, and external applications such as facades and outdoor kitchens. Explore the full application guidance on our End Uses page.
Note: Infinity slabs are not slip-rated flooring products — talk to us early where floors are in the scope of works.
Infinity Surfaces in hospitality projects
Large format porcelain performs where surfaces take daily punishment and still have to look immaculate. These UK hospitality projects use Infinity Surfaces slabs supplied by Clay International.
Specification support for A&D
- RIBA-accredited CPD on large-format porcelain — delivered at your practice or over Zoom. Book a CPD.
- Sample service for design development — samples are indicative of colour and finish.
- Slab viewings at our London (Wimbledon SW17) and Manchester (Ashton-under-Lyne OL7) warehouses. All visits by appointment: Monday–Friday 7:30am–4:30pm and Saturday mornings.
- Technical guidance available upon request.
- UK stock with regular deliveries from Infinity’s Italian production — realistic lead times, nationwide delivery with no minimum order.
- Standard datasheets available for all ranges, plus the sustainability credentials documentation now required by many major architectural practices — full certification report on request.
Sustainability and certification
Specifying for BREEAM or LEED projects? Infinity Surfaces large format porcelain is supported by third-party environmental and quality certification, and Clay International operates a responsible procurement policy. Documentation to support project submissions is available on request.
- ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and ISO 9001 Quality Management.
- EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) — the lifecycle data document most practices now request.
- Greenguard Gold certified for VOC emissions — suitable for healthcare and education interiors.
- LBC Red List Free and Kosher certified.
- BREEAM and LEED® project support.
- 10-year warranty with a 60-year expected lifespan.
The full certification list is published on our About page, and the complete certification report is available on request.
Why Clay International
Sole UK distributor of Infinity Surfaces large-format porcelain. Founded by a fabricator with more than four decades of experience in the solid surface sector. Trade warehouses in London and Manchester holding full slabs — not a showroom of samples — with nationwide delivery and no minimum order. New to the material? Start with our complete guide to porcelain slabs in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest porcelain slab size available?
Infinity Surfaces large format porcelain has a working area of up to 3200 x 1600mm in 6mm and 12mm thicknesses. 20mm is available at 1590 x 1620mm (unrectified).
Can large format porcelain be used on facades?
Yes — porcelain is UV-stable, frost-resistant and colourfast, making it suited to ventilated facades and external cladding. We advise on thickness and fixing approach at specification stage, and Infinity Surfaces in Italy have a department that supports and assists specifiers on cladding projects.
Do you provide CPD for architects?
Yes — a RIBA-accredited CPD on large-format porcelain, delivered at your practice or over Zoom. Book via our CPD page.
Can our clients view slabs with us?
Yes — we encourage it. Full slabs (if in stock) can be viewed at our London and Manchester warehouses. All visits are by appointment.
Is large format porcelain heavy to install?
6mm slabs are light enough for wall cladding and refacing; 12mm and 20mm suit horizontal applications. Handling and installation are carried out by specialist trades — we can provide contact details for experienced fabricators or large format tilers to assist with your project.
Start your specification
Call +44 (0)20 8971 7948 or email info@clayinternational.co.uk to book a CPD, request samples or arrange a warehouse visit. Contact us.