Porcelain tiles are denser than ceramic, and therefore less porous. Meaning they're harder, therefore more durable and absorb less water. This makes them more suited to high footfall areas which will see heavy use.
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.
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 denser than ceramic which means it has a lower absorption rate. It is frost resistant – making porcelain better for outside applications. Indoors, the extra density makes porcelain less likely to chip.
Porcelain is virtually impervious to water. Unlike natural stone, the tiles will not be damaged by water, so sealants are unnecessary. If flooded, the tiles simply need to be dried and cleaned; other materials would need to be replaced.
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.
Slip and water resistant, porcelain makes for a safe flooring option for bathrooms and beyond. You can count on it to give you great traction underfoot, even when used for a shower floor or another area where moisture is often present.
Cost of Porcelain vs. Ceramic. While both ceramic and porcelain are less expensive than most renovation materials, their price differences are due to their density differences. Porcelain tiles are therefore more expensive than ceramic tiles.
The clays used for ceramic tile are less dense than porcelain clays, which means ceramic tiles are somewhat more prone to cracking and breaking. Unglazed ceramic tiles may also need to have sealers applied to the entire tile, not just the grout lines.
1. Porcelain Tiles. Among the different types of ceramic tile flooring, there is a clear winner when it comes to sturdiness and that is porcelain.
It can improve your house's appearance, make your floor more resistant to spills, and even make cleaning easier. When done right, it also increases your home's value!
The surface of porcelain and ceramic tile do not require sealing, however, it's important to note that even though your porcelain or ceramic tile does not need to be sealed, the grout used during installation will need to be sealed and maintained.
Porcelain tile has a 60+ year life expectancy, so you definitely get your money's worth. It's perfect for walls, floors and indoor/outdoor installations. Rated for high-traffic areas, you won't have to worry about your porcelain floor degrading over time.
Known as the most durable type of tile on the market, porcelain is harder, denser, tougher, and less porous than ceramic tile. It also has a very low absorption rate, meaning it's virtually impervious to water damage, even after prolonged exposure.
Porcelain tiles have a fine-grained finish that is smoother than the finish on ceramic tiles. So, if the finish is slightly bumpy or coarse when you touch it, you're dealing with non-porcelain (ceramic) tile. If the tiles are already glazed, flip them over and look at the unglazed underside.
Overall, ceramic tile costs less than porcelain by about 60 to 70 percent. The exception is when you get to the higher end of the ceramic price range, where there is less of a cost difference for porcelain vs ceramic tile.
However, porcelain tiles can be somewhat more brittle than standard ceramic tiles, and they have some of the same drawbacks as ceramic tile, including their heavyweight, coldness, and hardness underfoot.
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.
Ceramic tiles are the best choice for bathrooms on a budget
Because of their moisture-resistant and easy-to-maintain characteristics, ceramic tiles are a popular alternative as bathroom floor tiles as well as bathroom wall tiles. In summers, these toilet tiles keep the floor cool, and in winters, they keep it warm.
While it's true that porcelain tiles are a premium outdoor flooring option, they represent a sound long-term investment. They're non-slip and hardwearing. Outdoor porcelain tiles are scratch-resistant and easy to keep clean. They won't stain and they come in a broad range of style options.
While ceramic tile can be an excellent choice for your kitchen floor, it does come with a few drawbacks. Ceramic tile can crack as floors settle, and a dish or glass dropped on it is virtually guaranteed to shatter. It can also be cold and hard underfoot, so use a rug or cushioned mat to cancel out the discomfort.
Its hardness makes it more difficult for a DIYer to work with, as they'll need a specialized tile cutter to cut porcelain to shape. This means porcelain tile installation is typically a job left to professionals.
Matte finish tiles are non-slippery, which makes them the best option for bathroom as well as terrace floor tiles.
Porcelain tile is water-resistant, which makes it ideal for areas exposed to lots of water—AKA, your shower.
Though concrete, tile and grout seems to be a hard, dense material, they are actually quite porous. This being the case, they can absorb large amounts of pet urine and fecal matter that can not be washed away.