Sang-A Tile Co., Ltd. (CEO Choi Hyeong-gyu), a specialized tile distribution company, has unveiled its new 2022 Big Slab Tile (large-format tile) products. As the recent tile trend has settled into the 'upsizing of tiles,' Sang-A Tile is introducing new large-format big slab products in the 1200×2780㎜ format.
Large-format tiles are thin and lightweight, and with the advantage of their large dimensions, they are emerging as a key item in the tile industry. In particular, ultra-high-resolution digital printing makes it possible to realistically render designs such as natural stone, marble, metal, and wood, drawing worldwide attention as an alternative that replaces expensive finite resources. Tiles that were once broken down into small formats for the convenience of installation and transport can now, with upsizing and digital printing technology applied, be turned into products that reproduce the beautiful patterns of natural stone at true scale. Produced in various thicknesses such as 6㎜ and 12㎜, big slabs are also used for furniture manufacturing, and recently they have been widely chosen by consumers for kitchen countertops, island countertops, tabletops, wall cabinetry, and more. Accordingly, Sang-A Tile is presenting collections produced in a diverse range of sizes so that consumers can make varied choices for walls, floors, furniture, and more. For example, if both 600×600㎜ and 1200×2780㎜ formats are produced within the same collection, the floor can be installed with 600×600㎜ standard tiles and the walls with 1200×2780㎜ large slabs.
Since the mid-2010s, Sang-A Tile has paid attention to the global market scalability of large-format tiles and began introducing them to the domestic market. It opened Korea's first showroom dedicated to big slabs on the first floor of its Nonhyeon-dong headquarters, creating an exhibition space where domestic consumers can experience the products firsthand. The 260㎡ showroom displays full-size panels just as they are, allowing visitors to directly experience the post-installation realism that cannot be conveyed through catalogs or samples. CEO Choi Hyeong-gyu explained, "The beautiful patterned stone and marble used in architecture and interiors were formed over a long period and are limited in quantity, so someday they will be resources no longer seen on Earth," adding, "The alternative left to us is to newly recreate the beauty of stone and marble digitally within large-format tiles."
Imola 'The Room' / 1200×2600㎜ ▲Panda White is a truly remarkable marble from the Far East. It is characterized by a very white background emphasized with intense black lines in broader striations or thicker waves, finished with white crystals on a translucent background. ▲Quarzite Patagonia is one of the most unusual and captivating stones found in nature. Quarried in South America, particularly Brazil, its origin is volcanic and its geological structure stems from millions of years of seismic activity. As magma rose to the surface and cooled, it crystallized, binding together all the rocks and minerals in its path. The surfaces that sparkle here and there make the marble appear even more three-dimensional. Its varied surface designs can create richly diverse spaces. ▲Cremo Delicato is an elegant Italian marble characterized by grayish-brown striations flowing across an ivory-toned background. ▲Gris Breche Dumas is the name given to this pebble stone originating from Pyrene in tribute to the famous French playwright Alexander Dumas. It is an extremely rare marble that is increasingly difficult to find because the quarry is exhausted. Imola's goal was to reproduce this pebble stone with a soft, luminous light-gray background and fine veined shading in tone-on-tone hues. The product commands a space with its modern, elegant surface. ▲Grand Antique d'Aubert is a stone extracted from France's northern Pyrenees and has been used on several very famous occasions, including Napoleon's tomb. Such sharply contrasting black-and-white markings are never seen in any other marble found in nature. It is ideal for unique spaces. ▲Infinity Brazil is a rare quartzite from South America with an elegant, rich black color. Its characteristic black hue is scattered with points of light that enhance its brilliance and sheen. With brown-toned veining flowing across the black surface, it distinguishes itself from previous black marbles.
Flaviker 'Blue Savoy' / 1200×2800㎜ Savoy is a product inspired by the gray marble of the Alps in France's Haute-Savoie region, characterized by a refined, elegant stone surface finish. Expressing the charm of all the glaciers of the Alps, it presents a color palette that has long been loved for its sophisticated elegance, from the past to the present. Its subtle, natural surface and the harmonious balance of stone and marble create a detailed mood, enabling a polished spatial design. It reinterprets the unique and beautiful elements of porcelain stoneware in a new mode of expression. It is the most contemporary and modern among stone slabs.
Emil 'Metallica' / 1200×2780㎜ A unique metal collection, it forms light on the surface to convey the color effects distinctive to metal while also possessing a tactile appeal. It presents both vintage and modern looks simultaneously and delights with varied colors and patterns that change according to the lighting. Released as a big slab, it commands the entire space with its metallic mood itself.
Emil 'Cornerstone' / 1200×2780㎜ Based on a new vision and technology, it presents an interpretation of unique forms and rare stones gathered from the four corners of the Earth. Its clean surface enables a remarkably diverse range of expression, offering visual pleasure through outstanding texture rendering and interpretation. With the three most popular color tones — white, gray, and Antracite — it has a dynamic yet irregularly flowing directionality. It has the most distinct identity among stone tiles, filling an entire wall with its expressive power.
Mirage 'Wanderlust' / 1200×2600㎜ Research and exploration are the core concepts of a voyage of discovery through new material inspiration. From Italy to France, from Brazil to Mexico and Madagascar, the Wanderlust series was created using the most innovative technology available in ceramics to seek out the unique and beautiful elements contained in vessels of exclusive porcelain stoneware beads. Its 13 collections each display a distinct charm. With a perfectly advanced 3D printing technique, it presents even more perfect ceramic panels. ▲Wanderlust 06 Onice Brown — Created using the most innovative technology ceramics can offer, Wanderlust is a highly aesthetic and technical collection. It faithfully reproduces complex, rich colors, and the depth of its patterns and the detailed rendering of its striations are highly impressive. It reinterprets the unique and beautiful elements of porcelain stoneware in a new mode of expression. ▲Wanderlust 04 Statuario Fantastico Cosmopolitan — Faithfully reproducing the finest marble, each sleeve appears to present a work of art with its perfectly rich detail and random veining, expressing the elegance of white marble in itself and commanding the space with its intense striations.
Coem 'Flow' / 1200×2780㎜ A collection that mimics light, inspired by various marbles. Composed of an endless series of lines evoking fabric, it creates a lively surface with elegant texture rendering. A collection that conveys a luxurious and refined feel, it was released in five neutral colors. It pairs well with simple, modern furniture and achieves a perfect balance. 02-3442-1250
▲ Imola 'The Room' Quarzite Patagonia
▲ Imola 'The Room' Cremo Delicato
▲ Imola 'The Room' Gris Breche Dumas
▲ Imola 'The Room' Grand Antique d'Aubert
▲ Imola 'The Room' Infinity Brazil
▲ Flaviker 'Blue Savoy'
▲ Emil 'Metallica'
▲ Emil 'Metallica'
▲ Emil 'Cornerstone'
▲ Coem 'Flow'