What is the most durable floor tile? The most durable flooring is granite, a natural stone. However, glazed porcelain flooring tiles are a great, low maintenance option too as they don't require annual sealing to upkeep their finish, this often means they are more budget friendly too.
Porcelain floor tile is harder and denser. It's useful in high-traffic areas such as kitchens, mudrooms, hallways and living areas. Ceramic floor tiles, however, tend to have a softer surface. They are more comfortable to walk on than porcelain.
If you want to use tile in a commercial environment, or in a high traffic location, porcelain tile is likely the better option. This highly dense material is much more difficult to break, and it will withstand heavy use over time well. Porcelain tile can even stand up to heavy furniture better than ceramic tile can.
Cement tiles are highly durable and slip-proof, which makes it a preferred material for the bathroom flooring.
Many floor tiles are easy to clean; naturally, some are easier to clean than others. Easy to clean tiles include vinyl, polished porcelain and laminate—the last two are just as easy to clean as vinyl but, usually, much easier to keep clean than vinyl.
Porcelain tiles are the go-to choice because they boast the best water resistance since they feature the lowest absorption rate.
Density & Durability
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.
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 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.
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.
Wood floors come with countless benefits, one of them being a long lifespan. Solid hardwood flooring has been known to last up to 100 years, while the engineered version has a life of almost 50 years.
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.
Porcelain tile, however, is waterproof and proves to be one of the most durable waterproof floors available on the market today. Tile does not tend to scratch or scuff easily, and it's one type of flooring that has continuously proven it's a great option if you're looking for durable waterproof floors.
Stone tiles often are waterproof, and porcelain tiles are far more waterproof. Porcelain tiles have a very similar look to ceramic tiles, being also made from clay. However, they go through a different heating process which makes them less porous. This also makes them harder and less prone to chipping.
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.
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.
Ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, natural stone tiles, pavers and quarry tiles, mosaic tiles, glass tiles, and luxury vinyl tiles are all durable tile floor options. Tile is a durable flooring option that can provide a long-lasting and attractive appearance for rooms and outside areas.
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.
Dark tiles can hide dirt, dust, water spots, and hair and can also hide imperfections in the floor. For this reason, black floor tiles work really well in a contemporary kitchen.
White tiles will also require more frequent cleaning in rooms with high foot traffic since they tend to show dirt and debris more than darker colors. If you're looking for a shade that's most easy to maintain, white might not be your first choice.
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.