Porcelain floor tile is hard and dense enough that it can even be used outdoors, though it's mostly recommended for mild climates. Porcelain is even more heat-resistant than other types of ceramic, and it's also less likely to chip or crack over time.
Large format tiles are also more prone to cracking than smaller tiles. Because they are larger and heavier, they can be more difficult to handle and install. This means that if they are not installed properly, they can crack or become damaged over time.
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.
It is also possible to crack a porcelain tile, however due to their strength this is less likely than with a lot of other types of paving.
Porcelain Tiles
Of all the tile types available, porcelain is the strongest, beating wood and even cement, so it's easy to see why so many households choose it.
The clays used for ceramic tile are less dense than porcelain clays, which means ceramic tiles are somewhat more prone to cracking and breaking.
Given their low porosity and durability, porcelain tiles are a good candidate for areas that receive high traffic or are prone to getting wet, such as showers and bathroom counters. “Porcelain is generally suitable throughout the home but should be selected with care,” says Cherkas.
Porcelain tiles are much easier to clean than natural stone tiles as you don't have to worry so much about damaging your sealant or water marks. Most porcelain is micro sealed during production meaning they are most resistant to wear and tear, requiring little up keep.
You should make sure that an anti-fracture membrane has been laid between your tile and the subfloor. Anti-fracture membranes are designed to absorb any cracking energy and disperse it across a larger area of the floors. This keeps all that pressure off of a single tile and prevents cracking.
Although tiled floors are incredibly durable, heavy items being dropped or placed on the tiles can lead to cracks. This is a common issue when ceramic wall tiles are used within floor tile applications, as they are often not suitable for supporting items such as fridges, dishwashers and washing machines.
Unfortunately, the cracks do not arise during the cutting or immediately after, but appear when the tile is already laid and is subjected to different loads such as the foot fall of the people, accidental impacts, weights of furniture and equipment. Stress will also be created by natural movement of the house settling.
In kitchens, especially, where heavy objects such as cans, pots, and pans get dropped, ceramic tiles frequently break. Building standards do not regulate sharp blows to tile, only heavy dead loads. 1 Doorways are another common spot for impact-related tile cracks because items may be dropped while opening the door.
Ceramic Tile
Affordability and durability make ceramic the ideal choice for any room in your home, including the bathroom, kitchen, and front entrance. Glazed ceramic tile offers more protection against stains or damage compared to wood, carpet, or even vinyl plank flooring.
For most people, porcelain tiles are the best kitchen floor tiles around. They're durable, won't get scratched or dented, and they're easy to keep clean.
Marble-Look Tile
With its distinctive milky white tones and sweeping vein pattern, a marble-tiled bathroom is the epitome of timeless luxury. Achieve the look with porcelain tile that looks like marble, such as the Tru Marmi series.
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.
Ceramic Tile: At less than $1 per square foot, durable ceramic tile makes an excellent inexpensive flooring option.
Ceramic tile is graded from 1 to 5, with 5 being the longest wearing tiles. Grade 1 tiles are the weakest, with the best application as wall tiles.
Lifespan. A properly maintained tile floor can easily last 20 years or more. In fact, unless the tiles are irreparably damaged in some way, a tile floor may last for over 50 years.
Disadvantages of Ceramic Tile
Compared to porcelain, ceramic tiles are less durable. So, you may want to install ceramic tiles in low-traffic areas and surfaces that don't receive much wear and tear. Ceramic is also more porous than porcelain, which means it absorbs liquids more readily.
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.
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.