Why porcelain tiles are better than ceramic

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For a deeper dive into howto keeping these tiles sparkling, check out this guide for cleaning ceramic tile. Ceramic tile and porcelain both are often manufactured with a glazed surface coating, and at a glance, they may be indistinguishable. One recent innovation with porcelain tile is the ability to manufacture them to resemble different materials.

While ceramic tile generally has solid colour and pattern, porcelain tiles are available that are remarkably good at mimicking natural stone such as marble or even wood grains. Most ceramic tile that is not categorized as porcelain is a solid colour, and simulations of wood grains or natural stone are not common with basic ceramic tile.

Both ceramic and porcelain have very good resistance to heat and are sometimes used on countertops. Porcelain tile is denser, heavier, and more impervious to water, and thus is a better choice than ceramic tile for outdoor locations. However, outdoor use is recommended only in mild climates.

Porcelain tile has excellent resistance to heat, making it a good choice for countertop surfaces. Ceramic tile is somewhat more susceptible to moisture infiltration, though the differences are minimal if the tile is glazed.

Ceramic tile has excellent heat resistance, making it a good choice for countertops. Porcelain tile is very easy to clean up by damp-mopping with a mild water-soap solution. The cementitious grout filling the joints between tiles needs to be periodically sealed to guard against stains and mildew.

Ceramic tile has the same care and cleaning needs as ceramic tile—routine damp-mopping and period sealing of grout joints. Porcelain clays are denser and thus less porous than ceramic clays. This makes porcelain tile harder and more impervious to moisture than ceramic tile. Due to its through-body composition, it is considered more durable and better suited for heavy usage than ceramic tile. Chip a porcelain tile, and the colour continues all the way through; as a result, the damage is nearly invisible.

Porcelain is an easy material to maintain, requiring only period sealing of the grout lines. Chip a ceramic tile and you find a different colour underneath the top glaze, which means that chips are likely to be quite visible.

The clays used for ceramic tile are less dense than porcelain clays, which means ceramic tiles are somewhat more prone to cracking and breaking.

Unglazed ceramic tiles may also need to have sealers applied to the entire tile, not just the grout lines. Both forms of tile are installed using similar methods.

Tiles are adhered to an underlayment of cement board using a mortar-based thin-set adhesive. Once the tiles are set, the joints between tiles are filled with mortar-based grout, which is sealed against moisture once it dries. There are slight differences in how ceramic tile and porcelain tile are handled, based on their differing densities.

Porcelain tile is more brittle and may require the experienced hand of an experienced tile-setter to cut properly. A wet tile saw is the recommended tool for cutting porcelain, while an inexpensive snap cutter generally works fine with ceramic tile. While ceramic tile is less dense than porcelain tile and thus less durable, it is also a far easier material for do-it-you. Porcelain is more expensive to manufacture than ceramic tile, resulting in higher retail prices.

With all other factors equal, ceramic tile is cheaper than porcelain tile. Ceramic tile tends to run about 60 to 70 per cent of the cost of porcelain tile, on average. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are very durable building materials, provided they are well cared for. Porcelain tile is a harder substance and wears better than ceramic tile, but its hardness can also make it more susceptible to cracking under structural shifting in a building.

By some estimates, a ceramic tile floor can last from 75 to years if the grout is maintained properly and sealed regularly. As mentioned, porcelain is definitely the more durable tile when considering the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles. In situations of high traffic, perhaps the hallway or kitchen that see lots of footfall throughout the day, a porcelain tile is likely the better choice.

The porcelain tile can be relied on for longevity as it can even take on heavy furnishings while remaining difficult to crack. It also works well with underfloor heating systems keeping your living spaces cosy all year round. In any home maintenance is an important factor, even more important for those with small children and pets. Keeping your floor clean with ease is very high of the list of priorities for most.

So, which is easiest to keep clean, porcelain or ceramic tiles? Again, porcelain takes the crown! Most porcelain tiles are nano-sealed during manufacturing which means their surface is kept protected for longer. They simply need a quick clean with neutral PH cleaner and buffed dry to keep them looking brand new.

For a further dive into tips on keeping your tiles clean, we have an article all about this in our knowledge base.