LAMINAM® Pietra di Cardoso Grigio

LAMINAM® Pietra di Cardoso Grigio is a large-format porcelain slab from the Italian premium manufacturer Laminam in a dark grey dimension stone look. The slab shows a deep medium to dark grey anthracite ground tone with fine horizontal lineations and subtle layered structures – stylistically an allusion to the classic Italian Pietra di Cardoso sandstone from the Apuan foothills, one of the most tradition-rich Tuscan dimension stones. At ROSSITTIS we work the slabs into heat- and acid-resistant interior floors, stairs, wall cladding, furniture tops, external floor coverings, pool surrounds and façade elements with a Tuscan-Mediterranean dimension stone feel.

Sinterkeramische Großtafel (Sintered Stone) der italienischen Premium-Marke Laminam (System-Gruppe, Fiorano Modenese) – kein gewachsener Naturstein, kein Quarzkomposit und kein klassisches Porzellan. Variante „Pietra di Cardoso Grigio" als gestalterisches Zitat des klassischen toskanischen Pietra-di-Cardoso-Sandsteins (Monte Cardoso bei Stazzema, Versilia, Apuanische Voralpen) mit dunkelgrauem Anthrazit-Grundton und feinen horizontalen Sandstein-Lineationen.

Keramik Italy

Available as: Slabs

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About LAMINAM® Pietra di Cardoso Grigio

Background. Laminam® is the Italian premium brand for large-format porcelain slabs, founded in 2001 in Fiorano Modenese (province of Modena) as a subsidiary of the System group. Laminam is one of the European pioneers of large-format porcelain and has decisively shaped the design of thin, large mineral slabs.

Material composition and manufacture. A Laminam slab consists of around 100 % mineral raw materials – feldspar, quartz, clay minerals and pigments – without polymer binders. The mixture is compacted in a mould in a patented pressing process, provided with decorated pigment layers for the surface look and then sintered at temperatures above 1,200 °C in a tunnel kiln. In this sintering the mineral particles partly fuse into a closed crystalline mineral structure – the end product is a fully mineral, sintered-through slab with no resin content. This yields decisive technical advantages over engineered quartz: water absorption below 0.1 %, very high heat resistance (hot pots can be set down directly), full UV resistance and thus suitability for external use, frost resistance and almost complete acid resistance.

The natural stone model Pietra di Cardoso. Pietra di Cardoso is one of the most tradition-rich Tuscan dimension stones. The deposits lie on Monte Cardoso near Stazzema in the Versilia area (Provincia di Lucca), in the Apuan foothills above the Versilia coast. Petrographically it is a metamorphosed slate with sandstone components from the Oligocene/Miocene, consolidated by Alpine metamorphism. The stone has been used in Tuscan architecture for centuries – for stair treads, floor coverings, window sills, fountain surrounds and door frames in classic Renaissance and farmhouse architecture. Compared with the Florentine Pietra Serena, Pietra di Cardoso is somewhat darker and with a more pronounced blue-grey cast.

The Pietra di Cardoso Grigio variant. The ground tone is a deep, slightly warm-toned medium to dark grey anthracite with a subtle blue-grey sheen. Across the ground are distributed very fine horizontal lineations and subtle layered structures that look like a soft sandstone grind. The look is markedly darker and calmer than in the bright Pietra di Savoia grades from Piedmont. From a middle distance the surface appears consistently dark anthracite with subtle movement; close up you discover the fine natural-stone layered feel.

Format and thicknesses. Laminam supplies the slabs in several large formats – the standard format is around 162 × 324 cm and 100 × 300 cm. The thicknesses are graded at 3, 5, 12 and 20 mm; the 3 and 5 mm slabs are particularly suited to wall cladding, furniture fronts, internal doors and façades, while the 12 and 20 mm slabs are standard for interior floors, external floor coverings and kitchen worktops.

Thermal and chemical properties. Unlike engineered quartz, there is no polyester resin here – which removes the typical weaknesses: Pietra di Cardoso Grigio is heat-resistant (hot pots can be set down directly, the slab is unaffected well beyond 200 °C), almost completely acid-resistant (wine, lemon, tomato, vinegar leave no traces) and fully UV-stable (suitable for external use). Frost and weather resistance are given.

ROSSITTIS range. The surface finishes currently in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. From them we fabricate interior floors in large format or tile format, external floor coverings under cover and in the garden, pool surrounds, stairs with treads and risers, wall cladding, bar counters, buffet and furniture tops, window sills and above all façade elements. The calm dark dimension stone feel comes into its own most strongly in large-area floor coverings and façades; in combination with Corten steel, oiled oak, brass and Mediterranean wall colours, the typical warm architectural look with a Tuscan-Mediterranean effect emerges.

Comparison. Within the Laminam portfolio, the Pietra di Cardoso line belongs to the natural-stone-based dimension stone slabs and stands in contrast to the dramatic marble-look slabs (Noir Desir, the Calacatta lines) or the industrial Calce concrete slabs. The sister grade Pietra di Cardoso Nero is markedly darker. Stylistically related is the Pietra di Savoia family from Piedmont (brighter, with a different geological model). Compared with genuine Pietra di Cardoso natural stone, the porcelain remains acid-resistant and more scratch-resistant; the natural stone appears more classical and more individual, but is more care-intensive in the bathroom and the kitchen.

Honest assessment. Pietra di Cardoso Grigio is a powerful, natural-stone-based choice for interior and exterior surfaces where a dark, calm dimension stone feel and technical resilience are wanted at the same time. The slab works particularly strongly as a large-format interior or exterior floor, as a façade panel and as wall cladding in Tuscan-Mediterranean or modern architectural concepts. Anyone looking for a characterful marble look with veins or a calm solid black slab should reach for other Laminam grades.

Technical data

Guide values for the stone type, taken from manufacturer and test reports. Natural stone is a natural product — individual batches and slabs can differ. For critical applications, request slab-specific test data.

Wasseraufnahme 0,10 %

Suitability by application

Finishes

LAMINAM® Pietra di Cardoso Grigio is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.

Naturale matt

Standardoberfläche im matten Keramik-Segment — die Originaloberfläche nach dem Brennen. Plan in der Anmutung, aber haptisch etwas rauer als poliert. Pflegeleicht, kratzunempfindlich und fleckenresistent — die alltagstauglichste Keramik-Veredelung für Küchenarbeitsplatten, Wandverkleidungen und Bodenflächen.

Fiammato geflammt

Unebenere und rauere Oberfläche, deren Haptik an geflammten und gebürsteten Naturstein angelehnt ist, aber deutlich intensiver in der Farbwirkung. Durch das Brennen bleibt die Keramikoberfläche geschlossen und pflegeleicht. Eine charaktervolle Wahl für gestaltete Außenflächen, Stufen und Wandverkleidungen mit rustikaler Anmutung.

Care & fabrication

Cleaning. In everyday use, warm water, a soft cloth or a clean mop and a neutral to mildly alkaline pH cleaner are sufficient. Mild all-purpose cleaners, mild washing-up foam and all commercially available sanitary and kitchen cleaners without hydrofluoric acid (HF) are suitable. The porcelain is almost completely acid-resistant – even vinegar, citric and hydrochloric acid practically do not attack the slab. Take up spills promptly, because on the dark surface every dried trace can remain visible as a lighter veil; the material itself, however, is pore-free and therefore stain-proof.

Do not use. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) and fluoride-containing cleaners are the only class of substance that can genuinely attack porcelain – they occur practically only in industrial glass and stone cleaners and are not relevant in the household.

Sealing. Not required – porcelain is dense and pore-free in itself, and water absorption is below 0.1 %.

Naturale matt / fiammato surface. The surface finishes currently in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. We recommend prompt drying off with a soft microfibre cloth.

Dark slabs – particular care notes. On a dark porcelain, water rings, limescale marks, fingerprints and dull abrasion marks are especially clearly visible as lighter shadows. The flamed variant markedly reduces this visibility problem.

Kitchen and bathroom. In kitchen and bathroom use, technically almost unbeatable: hot pots can be set down directly for a short time, acids such as vinegar, wine, lemon and tomato leave no traces, and anti-limescale sprays and all commercially available sanitary cleaners are approved.

Floor and façade. The classic domain of Pietra di Cardoso Grigio is large-format interior floors, external floor coverings, pool surrounds and façades. The flamed variant is slip-resistant and can therefore be used in certified fashion in areas with water contact.

Outdoors and frost. Fully suitable. The slab is UV-stable, frost- and weather-resistant and can be used as a back-ventilated façade panel, external wall cladding, pool surround and external floor covering.

Scratches and repair. Porcelain is very hard (around Mohs 7) and therefore considerably more scratch-resistant than most natural materials. Deeper damage cannot simply be re-polished – repair is carried out by replacing the affected workpiece.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of material is LAMINAM® Pietra di Cardoso Grigio?

It is a large-format porcelain slab (sintered stone) from the Italian premium brand Laminam (System group, Modena). Mineral raw materials (feldspar, quartz, clay minerals, pigments) are compacted without polymer binders in a pressing process and sintered at over 1,200 °C in a tunnel kiln. It is not natural stone and not engineered quartz, but a fully mineral, sintered-through slab.

What does the name “Pietra di Cardoso” refer to?

The name refers to the classic Italian Pietra di Cardoso sandstone from Monte Cardoso near Stazzema in the Versilia area of the Tuscan Apuan foothills (Provincia di Lucca). Petrographically a metamorphosed slate with sandstone components, used in Tuscan architecture for centuries for stair treads, floor coverings and window sills.

What exactly does Pietra di Cardoso Grigio look like?

A deep, slightly warm-toned medium to dark grey anthracite with a subtle blue-grey sheen, crossed by very fine horizontal lineations and layered structures. Stylistically a quotation of the typical sandstone grind of the natural stone model – calm and authentic to natural stone.

What slab formats and thicknesses does Laminam offer?

Standard formats are 162 × 324 cm and 100 × 300 cm, in thicknesses of 3, 5, 12 and 20 mm. The thinner thicknesses (3 and 5 mm) are particularly suited to wall cladding, furniture fronts, internal doors and façades; the 12 and 20 mm slab is standard for interior floors, external floor coverings and kitchen worktops.

How does Pietra di Cardoso Grigio differ from Pietra di Savoia?

Both are natural-stone-based porcelain grades with a sandstone feel. Pietra di Cardoso (Tuscany) is markedly darker and with a blue-grey cast; Pietra di Savoia (Piedmont) is brighter and with a greige-grey tone. The choice is a matter of style between Tuscan warmth (Cardoso) and Alpine coolness (Savoia).

Is the slab suitable for external surfaces, façades and pool surrounds?

Yes – that is one of the central fields of application for this grade, above all with the fiammato/flamed standard surface. Porcelain is UV-stable, frost- and weather-resistant and can be used as a back-ventilated façade panel, external wall cladding, pool surround and external floor covering.

Which cleaners may I use?

Permitted are warm water, all neutral, alkaline or mildly acidic cleaners, mild all-purpose cleaners and all commercially available sanitary and kitchen cleaners. The slab is almost completely acid-resistant. Out of the question are only hydrofluoric acid (HF) and fluoride-containing cleaners – these are not relevant in the household.

Pietra di Cardoso Grigio or genuine Pietra di Cardoso natural stone?

Genuine Pietra di Cardoso natural stone appears more classical and more individual, but it is more care-intensive (sealing, acid sensitivity) and demands careful installation and care. The porcelain remains predictable, acid- and scratch-resistant as well as completely pore-free – the choice is one between geological authenticity and technical common sense.