Porcelain Slabs: Where, When, and Why to Use Them

When you think about surface materials, porcelain slabs may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Many people still associate porcelain only with tile or think of slabs as something reserved for countertops. But the truth is, porcelain slabs are one of the most versatile design solutions available today, indoors, outdoors, in homes, and in commercial spaces.

If you’re new to the category, this guide will walk you through where porcelain slabs can be used, when to choose each thickness, and why they’re quickly becoming the future of surface design.

Why Choose Porcelain Slabs?

Bathroom with white marble look porcelain bathtub and walls.

Living room with black couch and sitting chair, black marble look porcelain slab surrounding fireplace, and fireplace lit.

Porcelain slabs deliver the beauty of natural stone with performance benefits that make them easier to use in more places. They are:

Resistant to stains, scratches, and heat
Lightweight compared to stone, making installation easier
UV- and weather-resistant, perfect for outdoor applications
Available in multiple thicknesses to suit different design needs

That means you can create the look you love while enjoying the durability and low maintenance that porcelain is known for.

Where to Use Porcelain Slabs

Indoors

Home office with brass colored porcelain slab on back wall and desk, black marble look slab on back wall, and white rectangle floor tile in herringbone pattern.

Bathroom featuring wall and flooring of large formal porcelain slab with dark blue and white veining that looks like marble, floor to ceiling mirror, and dark grey floating vanity.

Restaurant with white marble look porcelain slab on tables and bar, brown leather chairs at tables, and tree in the center of the bar.

Walls: Seamless feature walls, fireplace surrounds, shower walls

Floors: Large-format slabs reduce grout lines for a clean, modern look

Countertops: Kitchens, bathrooms, vanities, bars

Outdoors

Outdoor kitchen with a gray porcelain concrete look slab on counter, white stone and wooden cabinets, and silver accents.

Outdoor bar with wooden sitting stools, white marble look porcelain counter, and a mountain in the background.

High end lounge area with white couches and chairs, wood ceiling, and beige marble look porcelain slab on walls and floor.

Outdoor kitchens: Durable enough to handle weather, heat, and cooking

Patios & pool surrounds: UV- and fade-resistant for long-term performance

Commercial spaces: Hotel lobbies, restaurants, and office environments benefit from slabs’ strength and scale

Understanding Thickness: 6mm, 12mm, and 2CM

Different thickness of porcelain, 6mm, 12mm, and 2cm.

Porcelain slabs come in different thicknesses and knowing when to use each one makes all the difference in performance and design.

6mm: Lightweight Power for Walls & Floors

Shower with white marble on the walls and floor, and white mosaic on the shower floor.

6mm slabs are strong yet light, making them perfect for wall cladding and flooring. Their lighter weight allows designers to create dramatic vertical surfaces, like floor-to-ceiling shower walls, without the challenges of heavy stone.

12mm: Versatility Across Every Surface

Shiny pots and pans with a grey background, symbolizing a clean kitchen, fresh start, cooking, meal prep, and delicious food.

12mm slabs are the most versatile thickness. They can be used for everything 6mm slabs can do (walls, floors) plus countertops. And they’re engineered for both indoor and outdoor use.

Works beautifully for vanities, kitchen counters, and outdoor kitchens
Compatible with Invisacook induction technology for seamless, invisible cooking
Edges require mitering for two reasons:

Because the veining does not run through the body, mitering allows the pattern to wrap for a more natural look
Because 12mm alone is thinner than a standard 2 or 3cm countertop, a mitered edge builds up the profile for the desired visual edges

Key takeaway: 12mm can do everything 6mm and 2cm can do, but requires mitered edges to achieve a natural, stone-like counter.

2CM: Premium Performance with Throughbody Technology

Kitchen with black marble look porcelain center island, white bar stools, and large windows showing greenery.

2cm slabs are the top tier of porcelain performance, designed for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Best for high-traffic countertops, outdoor kitchens, patios, and commercial settings
Compatible with Invisacook for both indoor and outdoor cooking surfaces
Throughbody technology means veining runs through the entire slab, so edges look authentic without the need for mitering

Key takeaway: 2cm offers the most realistic natural stone look, especially for exposed edges.

When to Choose Each Thickness

High end living room with bar, white couch and bar chairs, stairs, and white marble look porcelain slab on stairs and floor, and white marble look porcelain slab on bar counter and backsplash.

Bathroom with white marble look porcelain slab on back wall and counter, wood walls, and beige hexagon floor tile.

Kitchen with white marble look porcelain slab on floor, back wall, and center island.

6mm: Best for walls and floors when lightweight strength is needed.
12mm: The do-it-all option: walls, floors, countertops (indoor or outdoor), with the added benefit of Invisacook compatibility. Requires mitered edges.
2cm: The premium choice for counters with throughbody veining for realistic stone edges. Also pairs with Invisacook for indoor and outdoor counters.

Why Porcelain Slabs Are the Future

Whether you’re designing a modern residential bathroom, a high-traffic commercial lobby, or a sleek outdoor kitchen, porcelain slabs give you the freedom to think beyond traditional materials. They’re engineered to look like marble, stone, or concrete, but with the durability, consistency, and low maintenance that today’s projects demand.

Porcelain slabs aren’t just another option. They’re a smarter way to design without limits.