Cutting: Porcelain is very strong. Sweep and vacuum porcelain tile once or twice per week, depending on how much traffic it experiences. Ceramic and other non-porcelain tiles absorb more than 0.5% water. The easiest and fastest way to tell a ceramic tile from a porcelain tile is to take a look at its edge. During the manufacturing process, porcelain is fired at a higher heat than most ceramics. Porcelain Tile and Ceramic Tile are denser than natural products and tend to be more impervious to dirt. You can’t always tell them apart by quickly glancing at the installed products. All Rights Reserved. Ceramic tiles are made from a natural clay. Explore the pros and cons of porcelain vs ceramic tile to decide which material is better suited to your project’s unique needs. The manufacturer shapes the porcelain tile based on the design. For step-by-step guidance, consult our tutorial for cleaning porcelain tile, which breaks down the routine for glazed, unglazed, and even textured tiles. Both porcelain and ceramic tile are in the category of “ceramic tile.” Ceramic tiles are divided into two groups: non-porcelain tiles (or ceramic) and porcelain tiles. This characteristic makes it an ideal choice for bathrooms, laundry rooms, patios, and other moisture-prone areas. Ceramic tiles are more porous and often have a higher water absorption rate. 2. Porcelain floor tile is harder and denser. Also, you got to keep bleach and other strong cleaning formulas nearby. Find trusted local pros for any home project. Also, due in part to its tendency to absorb moisture, ceramic tile requires weekly deep-cleaning, as opposed to monthly. The two types of tile differ in the materials used to make them and in how they are fired. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are frequently used in bathrooms and showers. Ceramic tiles aren’t as dense as porcelain and therefore are slightly lighter by comparison. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are remarkably similar in appearance and function, but there are notable differences between the two. Water Resistance: Porcelain tile is almost impervious to water compared to ceramic tile. Porcelain tile is made of refined clay and other natural elements. Installing ceramic tile is labor-intensive and takes a lot of time, so you will most … They are more comfortable to walk on than porcelain. That price difference is offset somewhat by the fact that porcelain tends … It requires skill using special tools to cut it. Read on to learn the pros and cons of using porcelain vs. ceramic tile for your next project. Whichever way you lean—porcelain versus ceramic tile—we can equip you with the maintenance advice to keep each looking good as new. Water Absorption: Resistance to water is perhaps the biggest factor in the ceramic tile vs. porcelain decision. Many homeowners opt to install ceramic tiles as flooring, especially in warm climates, where the natural coolness of the tile becomes a welcome perk in the summer months. Porcelain tiles may be glazed but are frequently not. Durability: Ceramic tile is not as tough as porcelain. The main difference between a porcelain and ceramic tile is the rate of water they absorb. They are suitable for outdoor use as well as in damp areas such as the kitchen and the bathroom. As you can see, there’s no one tile that is best to use in the debate of ceramic vs. porcelain, but it really depends on your budget and areas of design! It's made with dense clay, usually denser than ceramic, which helps makes it impervious and durable. Porcelains: Porcelain tiles are more durable and can be installed in more places than ceramics can. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. However, there are other considerations. Porcelain bathroom tiles have greater water resistance. While vinyl floor tile is often designed to look like ceramic tile, the mimicry is … With that said, the properties of the tile are not that critical in terms of breakage in a residential bathroom situation. The clay is denser and so less porous. Porcelain vs. ceramic tile. If you want to use ceramic for the kitchen or bathroom, make sure the tiles are glazed to minimise water infiltration. Less durable. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. It should not be used in outside applications. Known as the most durable type of tile on the market, porcelain is harder, denser, tougher, and less porous than ceramic tile. The clay-based construction makes porcelain tile a subtype of ceramic tiles; however, porcelain tile has a hardier construction and greater durability than non-porcelain ceramic tile varieties. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Porcelain tile consists of a ceramic covering classified by Standard ISO 13006 (Bla), signifying a pressed material with absorption equal to or lower than 0.5%. Ceramic floor tiles, however, tend to have a softer surface. Basically, porcelain tiles are better for both indoor and outdoor use, as well as hard wearing. What's the difference between these two types of tile? While both porcelain and ceramic are fired at high temperatures, porcelain is fired at even higher temperatures and for a longer time than ceramic. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. Homeowners should consider using ceramic tiles in areas with low or moderate foot traffic. This can be challenging for an inexperienced DIYer. Porcelain tiles are also made from clay, although the clay is denser and ground sand is added to the mixture. For example, we have an approximately 14 to 1 ratio of porcelain to ceramic tile on display in our showroom. Ceramic tile costs approximately $.50 per square foot to $40 per square foot, while you can get into porcelain tile … Costs. Unlimited options of colors, sizes and designs. By Amy Lynch and Bob Vila. Ceramic tiles are made using natural red, brown or white clay, baked at high temperatures to reduce water content, and then the patterned glaze is applied. They are more comfortable to walk on than porcelain. For a deeper dive into howto keeping these tiles sparkling, check out this guide for cleaning ceramic tile. A ceramic tile, whether for floor or wall use, has a glaze on top of the surface, giving it its color and finish. Packaging will indicate if new tiles are porcelain or ceramic. According to the ASTM standards, porcelain must have a water absorption rate of 0.5-percent or lower. Read on to explore the pros and cons of each to help you choose the best fit for your home. Through-Body Composition: Because of the uniform color of material in unglazed porcelain tile, small chips may not be as noticeable as they would be on a piece of ceramic tile. The higher water resistance of porcelain tiles makes them an option for outdoor patio or other exterior uses. Their tendency to stay cooler than porcelain makes them popular in homes in warmer climates. This means a higher price compared to ceramic tile. Some of the most spectacular ceramics can be found at the Alhambra Palace in Granada, and in the Great Mosque in Cordoba. Unglazed, or full-bodied, tiles have color running through the entire thickness (as opposed to a glaze placed on the top), making them longer lasting and more resistant to chipping. 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