To celebrate our beginning of sales of Tiles here are some differences between ceramic and porcelain tiles. Before you buy tile, it’s important to decide what material you want to use. Porcelain and ceramic tile are the most common types of tile, and each one has its benefits. To help you choose between the two, we’ve put together some useful tips. Porcelain tile and ceramic tile are both technically “ceramic” because they are made from a mixture of clay and other natural materials. Porcelain tiles, however, are composed of finer porcelain clay and are fired at higher temperatures than ceramic tiles. The result is a tile that performs very differently from ceramic tile.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is usually made from white or red clay, which is fired and given its color from a layer of glaze. Ceramic tile has many more color options and designs than porcelain, however, if the tile is chipped, then the clay color underneath will be exposed. Ceramic tile is easier to cut than porcelain tile, which means it is easier to install, making it a popular option with DIYers and installers. It is also a popular option because it is usually more cost-effective than porcelain tile.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain Tiles come in two forms: glazed and full-body color. Glazed porcelain tile is similar to ceramic tile because it gets its color and pattern from a layer of glaze that is applied to its surface. Full-body porcelain tiles carry their color and pattern throughout the entire tile, helping to prevent any visible wear and tear on the surface. Since porcelain tile is made of finer clays, it is denser than ceramic tile and more durable, but this also makes it harder to cut. While some ceramic tile can be installed by a homeowner, porcelain tile typically requires expert installers who can manage cutting the tile properly. Porcelain tile is generally more expensive to buy than ceramic tile.
Because it is typically more durable than ceramic, porcelain tile is ideal for flooring and heavy-traffic areas. It is also more water-resistant, making it a great option for areas like loft conversions, and bathroom and kitchen floors. Our porcelain floor tile collection is called Subway Mosaics, and it includes historically authentic glazed and unglazed porcelain tile.