Porcelain tile is renowned for its strength—it's the hardest and densest of all ceramic products. These qualities make porcelain exceptionally durable, resistant to chipping and cracking, and perfect for high-traffic applications. But what if we told you that a hard porcelain tile could also feel soft to the touch?

It sounds impossible, but Crossville®, has made it a reality. Their team of expert ceramic R&D engineers, working in Crossville, Tennessee, has developed an innovative new tile finish that delivers an incredibly touchable, almost velvety feel—without compromising the durability you expect from porcelain.

Crossville has named this innovative new finish FeatherSoft—a name that might seem to contradict what you expect from porcelain. But while FeatherSoft delivers an unexpectedly soft, touchable feel, these porcelain tiles remain just as dense and durable as ever. Even with this unique finish, the tile maintains a remarkably high wet DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction).  In other words, FeatherSoft enhances the sensory experience without compromising safety—providing both comfort and confidence underfoot. Learn more about DCOF here.) 

How Does Crossville Make FeatherSoft™?

That’s a secret! FeatherSoft is a proprietary finish exclusive to Crossville, and they’re keeping the formula under wraps. What we CAN share is that Crossville’s dedicated R&D engineers spent months refining this breakthrough, meticulously crafting and testing hundreds—possibly over a thousand—samples. Only after rigorous development did they confidently introduce FeatherSoft as the newest innovation for Beljn™ porcelain tile collection—the first, but certainly not the last, to feature this revolutionary finish.

Why Did Crossville Create The FeatherSoft Finish?

Crossville remains at the forefront of cutting-edge tile technology and enduring design trends. Their R&D team collaborates with global industry leaders—spanning scientific, regulatory, institutional, and commercial sectors—who are driven to solve the “unsolvable” when it comes to porcelain materials, glazes, and finishes. Working alongside their product development team, which engages with top global trend forecasters, this powerhouse group transforms challenges into opportunities, delivering innovative solutions that redefine both commercial and residential design.

One key interior trend for 2025, “Restorative Realms,” celebrates designs that nurture people and the planet. The trend focuses on the environment and elevates designs, products, and services that help us reduce the strain on the planet and reclaim a sense of peace, balance, and rest. The idea of restorative softness in product design emphasizes soft edges, shapes, and textures that provide a healing, restorative effect. The FeatherSoft finish aligns beautifully with this design trend and helps bring comfort to everyday life

Two Crossville Porcelain Tile Collections with the FeatherSoft Finish

You can experience the remarkable FeatherSoft finish firsthand in two of Crossville’s premier porcelain tile collections. Crafted in the USA using abundant natural raw materials, these stunning collections showcase both innovation and timeless design. And this is just the beginning—stay tuned for even more FeatherSoft products in the future!

Beljn™ Porcelain Tile

Beljn porcelain tile was our first collection with this finish. Inspired by Belgian Bluestone, a unique limestone with an incredible history that dates back approximately 350 million years.  Like its inspiration, Beljn features the look of visible ancient fossils, corals, and white calcite veins, yet the collection is decidedly contemporary in color and sizing. Beljn is carbon-neutral, making it a beautiful choice for your sustainable design projects. The collection is also highly versatile. The unpolished FeatherSoft interior finish has a coordinating bush-hammered style exterior finish for designs that flow seamlessly from indoors to out. Contact your nearest Studios showroom to order a free tile sample to see and feel this amazing collection. 

Sociale™ Porcelain Tile

Soft, yet strong, Sociale™ porcelain tile collection features six luxurious natural stone looks that exude quiet elegance. Featuring the FeatherSoft finish and a coordinating exterior finish for inside-out flexibility, Sociale is visually appealing yet practical and durable. It is also an eco-conscious alternative to natural stone that is decidedly livable and infinitely elegant. Reach out to your nearest Studios showroom to order a free tile sample to see for yourself!

We're Here to Help You Select the Right Tile for Your Project!

We encourage you to work with a knowledgeable professional to help you select high-quality tiles with exceptional technical performance that are right for your project. With 27 dedicated showrooms offering world-class products and dedicated support, Crossville Studios professionals are here to assist you in finding products that hit all the right marks for aesthetics, technical performance, sustainability—and availability. Connect with us today!