Learn The Difference Between Porcelain And Ceramic Tiles

By Author: Villohome`
Total Articles: 1
Comment this article

It is rightly said- Tiles act as the doorway to any room, where every eye focuses on the lifestyle of the homeowner. Shaping the dream project of your home, however, often involves the challenge of selecting the right flooring options for the home. People tend to get confused easily with the beauty, quality & durability amongst the most popular flooring options.

Porcelain and Ceramic tiles are the two of the most popular tile choices which can add a great aesthetic value to your home decor. Whether you want to add the beauty of tiles to your floors, kitchen countertops, backsplashes or walls, these vibrant and stylish tiles will always be on top your preferred list of tile options. That being said, do you really know which one of these two to choose for your project?

Although both ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles are members of the same family, crafted from clay and baked in a kiln, there exists certain differences between the two and except for being the most commonly used tiles for flooring, both possess their own benefits. Even though both Ceramic and Porcelain tiles come in a variety of colors, subtle ...
... patterns and can bear a resemblance to materials like- natural stone or wooden tiles, people often find it difficult to make the right choice between the two. If you also one of them who are unable to make up their mind in selecting either of these two tiles then this blog should help you not only in understanding the distinctive features of porcelain and ceramic tiles but also in selecting the right option for your project.

Here are some of the basic differences between Porcelain Tiles and Ceramic Tiles:

1. Composition:
One of the most basic differences between the two tile options is their composition. Although both of them are made from natural clay, Ceramic tiles are usually more porous and often carry a particular glaze on its surface which not only protects it from stains and scratches but also provides it a decorative look. In order to produce a Ceramic Tile, initially the clays are shaped, coloured and fired in a kiln to remove almost all the moisture from it. Usually, ceramic tiles come in natural white or red colors. That being said, you can also add vibrant colors to it with a glossy finish.
On the other hand, Porcelain tiles are the advanced version of the ceramic tiles and are denser, composed of finely ground sand and white clay with lesser impurities. The clay is pressed and ‘cooked’ at comparatively higher temperatures than ceramic tiles to remove all the water content.

2. Care & Installation:
Both the tiles offer ease of installation & maintenance. Since both tile options carry a number of similarities, one may not worry too much about the care however Porcelain tiles are easier to maintain and less prone to chipping as they are less porous as well as they provide resistance to damage & stains. Porcelain tiles can be easily kept clean by simply mopping and sweeping on a regular basis while Ceramic tiles, somehow are tough to clean. Ceramic tiles are, however, a better choice when you’re installing tiles in the area where tiles are needed to cut at several places because of their lower density.

3.Usage:
Although tiles are usually installed for providing a luxury touch to your home, sometimes they can also be used to solve the water leakage issues in the areas such as- bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, backsplashes etc. Here, Porcelain tiles can prove to be a better option as they are harder and more resistant to water compared to Ceramic tiles. Due to these added features, Porcelain tiles are the most preferred choice for outdoor installations where high-traffic or more foot activities happen. Not to forget, the hardness of Porcelain tiles doesn’t allow it to be used at the places where several cuts are required in the tiles where a Ceramic Tile could be a better option.

4. Appearance:
Ceramic tiles unlike Porcelain tiles, comes in a huge variety of colors and sizes with a shiny glaze at the top of its surface. This glaze, however, can easily come off if you chip a tile which does not happen with Porcelain tiles as they are generally not glazed and in contrast to Ceramic tiles, the color and shine remains the same even if you break it.

5. Water Absorption Rate:
Since Porcelain tiles are more dense and solid as compared to Ceramic tiles, they hold the lower water absorption capacity, usually less than 0.5%, and hence can be used almost for any purpose. Ceramic tiles, on the other hand, can be broadly classified into 3 main categories, based on their water absorption rate:

a) Non-vitreous- with water absorption rate up to 7%.
b) Semi-vitreous- with water absorption rate between 3% and 7%.
c) Vitreous- with water absorption rate up to 0.5%.

6. Cost:
Both Porcelain and Ceramic tiles are much more economic tile options as compared to marble, travertine, and other natural stone tile options. If you’re holding a very tight budget, Ceramic tiles are a better option than Porcelain tiles as they are generally less expensive than Porcelain tiles and are also available in many stylish colors and patterns. That being said, Porcelain flooring can surely be a good investment for your flooring project due to its durability and other distinctive features.

We hope that now you are in a better position to determine which is a better tile option for your project. Whether you choose VilloHome’s Porcelain tiles or Ceramic tiles, be rest assured to expect the beauty you need in your home without compromising with your budget. Feel free to reach out to our customer service team should you need any further information to make an informed purchase decision.