The Difference Between Porcelain And Ceramic Tile

Porcelain tiles are more durable than ceramic tiles.

The difference between porcelain and ceramic tile.

Basically porcelain tiles are better for both indoor and outdoor use as well as hard wearing. Porcelain is actually a type of ceramic made from denser clays. They are processed at a higher temperature and pressure making them harder. Ceramic tiles are more porous and often have a higher water absorption rate.

While ceramic tile is less dense than porcelain tile and thus less durable it is also a far easier material for do it yourselfer homeowners to cut manually by wet tile saw or with a snap tile cutter. Ceramic tiles are easier to install. Porcelain tile is almost impervious to water compared to ceramic tile. What does this mean.

For one porcelain tiles are known to be denser and less porous than ceramic tiles. Despite the fact that ceramic and porcelain tiles look very similar there are plenty of noticeable differences between the two. Both porcelain and ceramic are fired in a kiln but porcelain is fired at a higher temperature for a longer period of time. They are preferred for high traffic floors.

Porcelain tile comes in many surfaces such as matte rough non slip textured gloss semi gloss glazed and unglazed. Even porcelain tiles are a variety of ceramic tiles. According to the astm standards porcelain must have a water absorption rate of 0 5 percent or lower.