ᐅ Porcelain stoneware patio slabs break easily – a defect?

Hi, we went to the hardware store today and bought a sample porcelain stoneware tile for 4€ sized 60x60x2 cm (24x24x0.8 inches).

We had planned to use concrete slabs for the terrace, but they cost about the same as porcelain stoneware.

We thought porcelain stoneware would be very durable and strong.

I tested it by dropping a really small hammer on it, and the tile cracked immediately.

Is this normal? What could be the reason?

Or would it be better to choose concrete or natural stone after all?

That was probably just bad luck.

A hammer, no matter how small, cannot redirect impact energy. Therefore, all the force remains within the panel, causing it to shatter. Striking inflexible materials with hard objects can always result in total failure.

Hard harder space!

Are you sure the panel wasn’t hollow underneath? That would clearly explain why it broke.

Bookstar schrieb:
Are you sure the slab wasn’t hollow underneath? That would clearly explain why it broke.

I roughly, but quite well, leveled the base underneath, so the gravel should be stable.