To the untrained eye, there’s no difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles. However, you must pay attention to the tiniest details when crafting your home. Differences between these tiles impact their suitability for certain applications or budgetary demands. Despite this, they’ve still got many similarities that make them the tried and true options for any tiling job in any home worldwide.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain and ceramic are elegant surfaces that come in various colors and designs. Both materials are clay-based and kiln-fired. Porcelain, on the other hand, uses a higher concentration of fine kaolin clay. Porcelain tiles are also kiln-fired for longer and at higher temperatures than ceramic tiles.
The clay in porcelain tiles is finer and denser than the clay in ceramic tiles. As such, porcelain tiles are often denser than ceramic tiles. This added density helps make porcelain tiles the more durable option. This durability makes porcelain tiles a better option for rooms with high foot traffic.
The fineness of their clay also makes porcelain tiles more smooth to the touch. Unglazed ceramic tiles are noticeably rougher. For these reasons, many contractors often opt for porcelain tiles for residential & commercial projects. Porcelain is also the same color all the way through. So, when it chips, those chips are far less noticeable than they would be on ceramic tiles – which are usually glazed at the top and a different color underneath.
People prefer porcelain because it’s less porous than ceramic tiles. Porcelain’s low absorption rate makes it a safe bet for rooms with a lot of moisture, e.g. kitchens, bathrooms, etc. Despite this, porcelain tiles still have their drawbacks. Due to their density and prolonged baking period, porcelain tiles are extremely tough to cut. Porcelain tiles often require professional maintenance. Once you factor in that porcelain tiles are almost always more expensive than ceramic tiles, you’ll want to stay away from them if you’re on a budget.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles have their advantages as well. For one, they’re the more cost-effective option, and this is for several reasons. In addition to being cheaper than porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles are lighter. This makes them cheaper to transport and cheaper to install.
Their lower density also makes them easier to cut. So, if you ever wanted to do some DIY tiling to save money, you’d better try it with ceramic tiles. Moreover, ceramic tiles are often described as more “flexible” than porcelain tiles. For this reason, ceramic tiles are your best option for intricate designs you find on backsplashes.
Ceramic tiles have a more textured surface. It’s not uncommon to find ceramic tiles with ripples, waves and other raised patterns. If you want to give a tiled room some depth and character, you should lean towards ceramic tiles. Ceramic tiles are also a good choice for homes in warmer climates; their lightness and reflectivity help keep rooms slightly cooler than a porcelain tile would. In addition,
As mentioned earlier, ceramic tiles have their drawbacks as well. The major knock on ceramic tiles comes from their porosity and their supposed lack of durability. Despite these concerns, both types of tiles still boast the same long lifespan – either can last between 75-100 years. If you’re unsure which option to go with for any room in your home, contact Grand Homes today.
