Polished porcelain tiles tend to cost more than their unpolished versions. The polishing process adds more to the price, as does the fact that polished tiles often look more elegant. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are made from clay materials and fired at high temperatures.
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.
Man-made materials such as ceramic and porcelain tiles are generally much more cost effective than natural products, with ceramic tiles often being the most economical choice of the two thanks to their lighter density and weight.
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.
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.
The PEI rating, or Porcelain Enamel Institute rating, is one of the most important factors to consider when considering various porcelain tile grades for your project. This rating tells you the resistance of a tile to wear due to abrasion and determines its suitability for different uses.
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.
Porcelain tile is typically more expensive than ceramic and other popular flooring materials. Because of its hardness and durability, it wears so well that the tile may last for decades, which makes it a great value. But, there may be a significantly higher cash outlay at the time of installation.
While all ceramic tiles are essentially made of the same ingredients, the quality and color of those ingredients can make a dramatic difference in the price. For example, to make a tile with a pure white body requires white clay, which is much harder to find than the red or beige clay found in most tiles.
Because of its finish and through body composition the same may not be visible, but it does happen. However, modern porcelain tiles do not crack easily, it must be a particularly unusual circumstance under which a porcelain tile cracks.
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.
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.
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.
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. Tile is easy to maintain and water-resistant.
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 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.
However, you might be wondering how slip-proof they are, especially if you intend to lay them around a hot tub. The good news is that porcelain tiles are naturally very grippy and safe to walk on even when wet; however, it's not as simple as that.
For bathroom floors, it's ideal to chose a tile that has a high slip resistance so it's safe when wet. For this trait, porcelain is the one to choose.
As with anything in your home that gets a lot of wear, porcelain tiles can lose that initial shine and shimmer if they are not maintained correctly. This can manifest in a few ways. Dirty grout is a common issue that can develop over time, quickly detracting from the beauty of your porcelain tiles.
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).
Though definitions vary, porcelain can be divided into three main categories: hard-paste, soft-paste, and bone china. The categories differ by the composition of the body and the firing conditions.
Bone china is usually thinner and the glaze is smoother than porcelain china. The glaze, however, is not as durable as porcelain china since it is softer. "Bone china" starts the same way as porcelain china but includes an extra ingredient, bone ash.