A high-quality porcelain is often thicker – ⅜” to ½” thick in many cases, making it more durable. And whether a porcelain tile is glazed or not, steps are often taken to ensure a superior finish. This is why good quality porcelain can so closely resemble natural stone or even wood.
The grade of porcelain tile is affected by the mixture of materials used in its manufacture, but mostly the grade is determined by the tile's thickness. Thin, grade 1 tiles are not necessarily lower in quality than higher grades, they just have different uses.
The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating comprises numbers ranging from 1 to 5, with Grade 1 being the least durable and Grade 5 being the toughest.
The material makeup of porcelain can differ to achieve different characteristics in the tile, making some more suitable for particular tiling projects over others. Not only can the material ingredients of the base change but the glaze can also make a huge difference to the performance of the tile and its suitability.
One of the things to consider before buying tiles especially Porcelain tiles is its design, colour and size. A good Porcelain tile assures a colour consistency throughout its design and with its long-lasting property the choice of design and colour should perfectly compliment your personality.
The three main types of porcelain are true, or hard-paste, porcelain; artificial, or soft-paste, porcelain; and bone china. Porcelain was first made in China—in a primitive form during the Tang dynasty (618–907) and in the form best known in the West during the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368).
They are hardness, whiteness and translucency. Porcelain has a high level of mechanical resistance, low porosity and high density, which, on a daily basis, provide it with durability, innocuity, soft touch and beauty.
1. Lower quality materials: The tiles may be made from lower quality materials, which can affect their durability and longevity. 2. Mass production: The tiles may be produced on a large scale, which can lower the cost per unit.
Tile Thickness
The vast majority of porcelain tiles are 6mm to 10mm thick and a tile in this range will serve most purposes. Wall tiles typically range from 6 to 10mm thick. Mosaics and decorative wall products also range from 6 to 10mm thick to make combining them easier.
Cons to consider:
Although porcelain tile is extremely durable, it does occasionally chip, particularly around the edges. This may not be noticeable with through-body composition, but it is a concern. Porcelain tile is typically more expensive than ceramic and other popular flooring materials.
While “porcelain” and “ceramic” are often used interchangeably, each term refers to a different material when describing wall, floor, bathroom, and kitchen tiles. Porcelain is made of finer clay, absorbs less water, and is usually more expensive than ceramic.
V2 – SLIGHTLY noticeable from tile to tile.
The range of colours and tones within the same shade is slightly noticeable from tile to tile. There are clearly distinguishable differences in design texture or pattern with similar or slight change in colour tones.
Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic, but they make it from a more cultivated clay and bake it at higher temperatures. This makes it a tough scratch-resistant flooring choice. Unglazed porcelain is the best when it comes to scratch resistance.
The most obvious difference in the two is the finish. Lower quality porcelain may have a flaws in the glazing or glazing that does not cover fully. The most common flaw looks like tiny pinholes.
Best for Cost: Ceramic Tile
As a general category, ceramic tile is less expensive than most porcelain tiles. But there is a surprisingly large range of prices for both types of tiles. Note that the very highest quality designer tiles tend to cost roughly the same for ceramic and porcelain.
Tiles with a PEI rating of 4 are suited for installations that are subjected to regular levels of foot traffic. Recommended for medium commercial and light institutional use, such as restaurants, hotels, hospital lobbies and corridors.
Porcelain tiles typically have a higher level of scratch resistance than ceramic tiles, making them ideal for high-traffic areas. A-grade porcelain tile and B-grade porcelain tile may offer different levels of scratch resistance, so it is important to compare the two before making your final decision.
Rectified flooring, like porcelain tiles or natural stone tiles, have precise edges for narrow 2-3mm grout lines (except for tumbled or chipped edge styles, which should be installed with 4-6mm gaps).
Some popular sizes for floors include 300×600 mm, 600×600 mm, 610×610 mm and 800×800 mm, while wall tiles generally come in sizes of 250x350mm, 300x450mm, and 300x600mm. According to experts, large format tiles lend a more spacious look to space. However, it is advised to match tiles to room size.
It comes in various styles, colors, and sizes and can be used to create stunning designs. Porcelain tile is typically mid-range in price, costing an average of $12–$40 per square foot.
– Simply put: no! Among tile options, porcelain stands out as a very strong and durable choice.
Porcelain tiles are one of the most practically designed tiles that are not strong but aesthetically perfect. They do not chip easily and the cases of such damage, if any, are very rare and most can be avoided with extra care.
Durability: The density of porcelain tile makes it more durable than ceramic tile while being less subject to wear and tear. This makes it more suitable for commercial use as well as in the home. Water Resistance: Porcelain tile is almost impervious to water compared to ceramic tile.
Bone china is less brittle than other porcelain products not comprised of bone ash. Both bone china and porcelain are vitreous. China becomes vitreous when heated at a temperature that allows the clay and feldspar or bone ash to bind together as one product.