4 min read
Libyan, Spanish or Indian porcelain? What to check before you buy in Tripoli
Do not judge by country alone: ask about water absorption, rectified edges, flatness and shade match, then compare.
The short answer
There is no single right answer for everyone. Origin alone is not enough; what matters is four things on the tile itself: water absorption, the edge, flatness, and shade match between boxes. You can only compare Libyan, Spanish and Indian tiles if you check them against the same yardstick.
1. Water absorption
Ask: what is the water absorption? True porcelain is under 0.5%. This number matters for bathrooms and outdoors. If the seller cannot answer or cannot show the technical sheet, that is worth noting.
2. Rectified edges
A rectified edge means the tile was cut precisely after firing, so every piece is the same size. The result is a thin, even joint and a clean look, which matters a lot in 60×120 and 120×120. Put two tiles side by side and look at the joint yourself.
3. Flatness, especially in large formats
The bigger the size, the more any warp shows. Lay the tile on a level floor or run a straight edge across it and see whether the middle or the corners bow. On 120×120 this check should not be skipped.
4. Shade and batch match
Open more than one box and compare colour and pattern. Take the whole quantity from the same batch, because a later batch may differ slightly in shade. That is why you should settle the full quantity before ordering.
What does “Spanish” actually mean?
Spanish means the tile was made in Spain, and it is printed on the box. Ask to see the box and what is printed on it. We are talking only about our Spanish tiles here; not everything in the showroom comes from one country, and taps, for example, may come from elsewhere.
Where to compare with your own eyes
Come to the Elhadiri showroom on 20 Ramadan St (formerly 11 June St), next to Antakya Pharmacy in Tripoli, or message us on WhatsApp at +218 91-3147701. Prices are given at the showroom or on WhatsApp because they depend on the size, quantity and stock. See 120x120 Spanish porcelain tiles and Large-format Spanish porcelain tiles.
Practical guides to choosing ceramic, porcelain and tiles for your home or project in Libya.