Stone Looks, Gauged Porcelain Panels, Tools and More at Coverings
Posted by TOA's Blog Team on May 12th 2025
Chavi's Second Coverings
Chavi's recent visit to Orlando for Coverings was his second time going. His first visit was in 2019.
His overall impressions echo those of others who've attended:
Coverings is always a blast! The amount of new trends, items, and people is enough to get anyone excited about the industry.
Even though I’ve gone only twice, Coverings has always met or exceeded my expectations. I always want to know and see the newest trends and items. I was not disappointed with all the new things I saw.
A stunning mosaic composition that caught Chavi's attention.
New Stone Looks in Gauged Porcelain Panels
Chavi saw many stone looks in natural stone as well as porcelain. Even though maintenance is critical to ensuring that stone looks beautiful for years to come, it remains popular.
>> See Why and How to Seal Travertine Tile
As stunning as natural stone is though, it makes a major statement because of Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels / Slabs.
In fact, very large panels are truly the new thing right now. Large surfaces mean that veining patterns normally associated with marble, onyx, travertine, and other stones shine in an almost seamless way. Advances in inkjet printing on tile allow for many variations and continuous looks.
The result: you have many options to do whatever project you may have in mind.
The images below capture what's possible.
Variation in Big Porcelain Panels
The patterns are rich, complex, variated, and look real.
You'll often find them available in more traditional porcelain tile sizes as well as mosaics to complete the project and coordinate with it.
In some cases, the panels will even feature textures...
What About Colors and Shapes at Coverings?
Colors
Chavi noticed a great deal of "the typical beige and grey." (No surprise given how much people love natural stone tones.)
However, there was more!
I saw a lot of blues,greens, and reds.
It's really nice to have a lot of different color options. Very appealing on the eyes and it attracts them and encourages you to look at all options available.
In the image below, you'll see a rich combination of cool blues and greens and warm beiges, and greys in glazed subway tiles. Notice the variation in tones in each color way.
Shapes and Sizes in Tile
Attending Coverings repeatedly offers you an opportunity to notice changes over time. As it relates to shapes, Chavi said:
I saw a lot of big rectangles and squares as tile is getting bigger as the years come and go.
While the smaller sizes are still popular it’s only a matter of time before they do away with the small tiles and it will only be getting bigger.
Patterns
Chavi saw many patterns, a good amount of herringbone patterns and mixed sized patterns as well. It may not be for everyone but it is unique.
Patterns are still as popular as ever.
The image below captures a mix of solid and patterned tiles: color blocks, lines, herringbones and combinations.
This reminded us of patchwork patterns from past Coverings with a contemporary twist:
>> Flooring and Tile Trends from Coverings 2014: Patchwork Tile
>> Ready For Patchwork Tile In Your Home?
Styles and Textures in Tile
When it comes to tile you will always find something for everyone and for whatever application you need at Coverings.
New styles and textures included the fluted style, 3D print that’s not actually 3D and just smooth, puzzle looks, lappato looks, decos, old style looks and many more!
According to Lappato tiles: meaning and definition,
"The lappato... refers to porcelain tiles that have been polished according to a certain process. Their surfaces are polished, but not completely. This gives these types of tiles a natural look that is part glossy, part matt.
Thanks to their thin glazes, lappato tiles can easily match different decor styles, as their subtle colours can seamlessly blend into different colour schemes. Therefore, for those interior designers or architects who are looking for understated tile styles, lappato tiles can be a good idea. These are, however, not rectified porcelain tiles."
The image below captures a textured pattern next to a variated solid product.
Grout Line Details at Coverings
Chavi noticed that grout lines are getting smaller and colors that were once not used as often for grout are starting to be used. For example, he saw bright colored grouts like reds, pinks, and yellows while also seeing the normal beige,grey,white.
>> See Selecting Your Grout Color
Tool Technology
Bill Granger reported on Innovation in Tile Tool Technology at Coverings. Chavi found tools equally interested given how much more innovation he noticed compared to his previous visit. He explained,
I very much enjoy the new tools coming out to make the installation jobs easier. How many new tile shapes, sizes, and colors are being produced is enough to get anyone excited for the future.
Below, you see a specialty setup for cutting gauged porcelain tile panels.
Here's another specialty tool with suctions for the panels and an armature for handling the very large panels.
The International Pavillions at Coverings
Each country pavillion has its own flavor at Coverings - from food served to products displayed. Although Chavi didn't notice huge differences between them, he did identify some highlights:
The pavilions were all awesome and they all have their own products that they used to stand out. I saw more of the big panels being used in the Spanish/Italian pavilions vs the American ones.
I saw more stone being displayed in the Turkish pavilions vs the Italian and Spanish booths. Each pavilion was unique and has enough variety to keep anyone looking around for stuff for a new project.
What was similar was the hospitality and passion at every pavilion. Sure the products were awesome but the one thing they all shared was their love and passion for the industry. Someone was there wanting to tell you about the next big thing and were happy to do so.
How Does Knowing About Stone Looks, Gauged Porcelain Panels, Tools and More Help In Your Role at the Store?
Attending Coverings helps Chavi explain to customers what is going on out there in the tile industry: new trends, what’s going out of style, what’s coming, etc.
He also gets to learn how this stuff is installed, what it’s made off, how it comes. This helps him learn so he can better explain what's involved to others and help them understand what is going on in the tile world.
It was a very beautiful event with some even more amazing people.
Be sure to visit Tile Outlets of America not just for products but also perspectives on tile trends and technology, gauged porcelain panels, and more from Coverings.
Thanks for reading!
Shop Tile Outlets of America!