In terms of cost, marble tiles are slightly more expensive than porcelain tiles. However, if you go with custom marble tiles, you can expect the price difference to be significant. Keep in mind that marble tiles will increase the resale value of your home, so the initial high cost can always be covered up.
Durability: Although both are strong materials that work in many settings, porcelain wins the durability category. Uses: For steam showers and high-traffic areas, porcelain tile wins. For statement features, like fireplaces, cladding, or countertops, you may prefer marble.
Porcelain is a very hard material that is often glazed. The fact that is a dense material with a glaze makes it water resistant, stain resistant, and less likely to fade than marble. Marble, on the other hand, is more porous and can soak up stains or even become etched with acidic liquids.
Ceramic tiles are kiln-fired at a lower temperature than porcelain tiles, making them less dense, softer, and more porous. The clay used in its composition is also less refined, making it a more affordable, albeit less durable, option.
Cost & Installation
Natural stones are a limited resource compared to porcelain tiles, and is therefore, more expensive. Natural stone's expense also extends into the installation phase of your project. We always recommend a professional to install your natural stone.
Because marble is porous, the tile surface needs to be regularly dusted and cleaned with a damp mop. Porcelain tiles, on the other hand, are much easier to maintain. They need not be cleaned on a regular basis, and they can be easily cleaned using a wet or even a dry sponge.
Excellent Heat Resistance
Similar to granite, producing this material involves extreme temperature which makes this material prone to heat. Whenever you will place a hot pan on top of a porcelain countertop, there will be no worries of dark burnt spots.
Handmade ceramics aren't cheap, but porcelain is often even more expensive. Compared to other ceramics, porcelain is non-porous, white, and translucent. The secret to these differences is in the clay.
Porcelain is more costly than ceramic, but more affordable than natural stone. While its durability can be beneficial, it can also make the tile trickier to install.
Just as it was in ancient China, true porcelain can only be made with kaolin. While it can be found all over the world, large deposits are hard to come by. This special clay is what gives porcelain its white color—the purer the kaolin, the whiter the porcelain.
Real natural stone marble is beautiful and unique; no two pieces will ever be exactly the same. Natural stone is heavier than that of a porcelain or ceramic tile and is extremely versatile in its application.
'Being non porous, porcelain tiles are water and stain resistant without a sealant or maintenance requirement,' says Chris. 'However, properly sealed and maintained, natural stone will still provide you with a window of opportunity to clean up any spills before they are able to soak into the material.
Marble is more expensive than tiles. This is because tiles are man-made while marble is a natural stone which has to be mined and extracted using costly procedures. Moreover, only high-quality marble looks good in appearance which comes at an exorbitant price.
Porcelain and ceramic tiles are ideal for kitchens, baths, basements, laundry rooms, and other moisture-prone areas. These clay-based, kiln-fired tiles are highly durable, easy to clean, and resistant to water, stains, and daily wear.
Porcelain is more affordable in terms of material and installation cost. Also, since Porcelain has a low maintenance cost, it is budget friendly as compared to Granite. Since Granite is a natural stone that has its benefits and cost of maintenance, it generally costs slightly more than porcelain.
Porcelain tile is a popular choice for bathroom floors. Porcelain is a denser, less porous and harder option that offers greater stain and water resistance than ceramic tile. Plus, it's suitable for radiant in-floor heat to keep feet toasty on cool mornings. Porcelain offers unmatched design versatility.
Compared to other flooring materials, such as hardwood flooring, natural stone, or vinyl tile, porcelain tile can be less comfortable underfoot due to its hardness. It's colder to walk on, especially in the winter.
Porcelain is a durable material, but it's relatively soft as far as tiles go. This means it's susceptible to cracks or chips, and they're often eyesores. Luckily, it's possible to hide the damage with a bit of touch-up glaze.
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.
As opposed to other flooring options, Porcelain floors don't require as much maintenance. They have high moisture resistance making them simple to clean, there is minimal upkeep (beyond regular cleaning) and the maintenance is non-existent. Durability is another big plus for porcelain tiles.
Porcelain Tile Cost Estimator by Project Size
Porcelain tiles by themselves cost, on average, between $2 and $30 per square foot. Hiring a professional to install the tiles for you can cost $9 to $50 per square foot, including the tiles.
Porcelain veneers have excellent durability. The porcelain veneer lifespan is an average of 10 years, but they can easily last up to 20 years with proper maintenance.
However, porcelain countertops also have several drawbacks that should be considered: Requires professional installation: Gauged porcelain tile is extremely thin, which makes installation more complicated to avoid cracking. It is not a good choice for a DIY project.
Once installed, however, porcelain is very hard and durable, so they are not considered fragile at this point. Cracking is rarely an issue after the countertops are installed.
Porcelain Surfaces Are Durable, Not Indestructible
Durable materials can chip if they suffer shock or impact in just the right place. Perhaps the most affected area of a surface is an edge. Countertops have multiple edges that can chip relatively easy if a hard object hits the edge.