Porcelain Vs Ceramic Tiles

Is porcelain flooring tile better than ceramic?

Porcelain tile is quite similar to ceramic tile. In fact, porcelain is a type of ceramic. The difference between the two is that porcelain is heated at a higher temperature, leading to it being denser than ceramic. Additionally, each flooring material is composed slightly different from the other, but we’ll get into that later on. The decision of whether porcelain is better than ceramic tile is completely up to you. Read on to learn more about ceramic and porcelain tile.

Strengths of Porcelain

Durability

Porcelain isn’t considered porcelain unless its water absorption rate is less than 0.5%. Therefore, it’s able to withstand moisture quite well. Water, or any other liquid for that matter, won’t be able to seep through porcelain tiles. This feature also prevents porcelain tiles from cracking.

Through-Body Color

Porcelain tends to have a “through body color”, which means, if porcelain gets damaged, the color beneath the flooring will remain the same. If an object dropped to the ground chips the porcelain floor, the damaged area will be quite hard to spot due to the tile’s through-body color. It will still be there, it just won’t be as obvious.

Versatile

One of the great things about porcelain tiles is that they can be used both inside and outside the home. Its dense, low-porous features makes it a great outdoor tile, whether it’s used as flooring or for countertops. Porcelain can withstand rain and heavy impacts with no issue. Additionally, it’ll stand strong in freezing temperatures and hold its form throughout the day.

Strengths of Ceramic

Affordable

Ceramic is much like porcelain. Porcelain does provide a bit more in terms of quality and sturdiness, but it’s more expensive than ceramic. Therefore, it might be smarter for some homeowners to buy affordable ceramic tiles and sacrifice the minimal deficiencies.

DIY-friendly

Ceramic can be installed the DIY. Due to it’s softer surface, ceramic can be cut by a simple tile cutter. Tile cutters are much safer to use compared to wet saws. They’re safe enough for DIYers to use (but you should still read the instructions thoroughly).

Design

Ceramic is quite visually appealing. Glazed ceramic tile can be custom-made into all types of colors and textures, giving homeowners many options to choose from.

Limitations of Porcelain

Expensive

Of course, the extreme durability of porcelain drives demand for it, which determines its price. While you might have to pay a bit for it initially, you won’t have to spend more on your flooring for many years to come.

Difficult to Install

Porcelain installation requires the work of professionals. Porcelain tile is hard, so it requires a wet saw to cut properly. Only those who have experience with a wet saw should cut porcelain tiles.

Limitations of Ceramic

Moisture Absorption

Ceramic doesn’t have a moisture absorption rate of lessthan 0.5%. If it did, it’d be considered porcelain. Thus, ceramic is more vulnerable to moisture-absorption and can begin to crack if exposed to moisture for long periods of time. It’s porous nature also makes it unsuitable for outdoor usage.

Revealing

Ceramic tiling doesn’t have through-body color. Thus, any chips or blemishes will be evident to those who stand on it. Damaged ceramic need almost-immediate repair. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with these cracks showing. If you’d like to see some porcelain tiles in-person, visit us at Rialto Porcelanato. We have a large selection and our experts are available to answer questions and complete installation when you need it. Contact Rialto Porcelanato now at (469) 466-8549! Also, check out our blog for more information.