Porcelain Tiles vs. Ceramic Tiles, Which is Better for your NEED!
Ceramic or porcelain tiles are aesthetically pleasing and versatile. It might be difficult for you to decide whether to choose porcelain tiles or ceramic tiles when you're unfamiliar with their pros and cons.
These types of tiles can be found on kitchen and bathroom floors, walls and backsplashes. It is also available in different colours and designs to match the theme of your room. Regardless of how beautifully you decorate the room, it will be ruined if you don’t select the right tiles.
From this article, you will learn about porcelain tiles vs. ceramic tiles, which is better for your needs! And the pros and cons of using them for your project.
What is the Difference Between Porcelain Tiles and Ceramic Tiles
Although porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles share many similarities, a quick glance at the installed products can sometimes be difficult to tell them apart.
Both the tiles are clay-based and kiln-fired, but there are few differences in ingredients and production methods and porcelain is technically a specialised type of ceramic. This means one might be a little more advantageous for your project.
Depending on how you intend to use the space, you may want to consider porcelain vs. ceramic tiles, which is better for your needs! Here, you will get to know the difference and their best uses.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are made of refined clay, with ultrafine sand and feldspar added to the mixture. After being kiln-fired at high temperatures and transformed, they look like stone, wood, concrete or materials. This clay-based construction makes porcelain tiles a subtype of ceramic tiles. However, porcelain tile is harder to construct, durable and long-lasting than non-porcelain ceramic tiles. Lioli Ceramica porcelain tiles company in India, we manufacture and source of high technology offers several options: porcelain floor tiles, porcelain slabs, and countertop porcelain tiles.
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles are made with specific clay (with red, brown and white clay) and kiln-fired at a higher temperature but lower than porcelain tiles to reduce water level content, making them less dense, softer and more porous. The clay used in it is less refined hence it is less durable than porcelain tile. Ceramic tile is more affordable with numerous design options.
Comparison Between Porcelain Tiles VS. Ceramic Tiles:
Water and stain resistance capacity
Porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles are well crafted, denser and less porous than ceramic tiles. It is categorised as impervious tiles which means the water absorption rate is less than 0.5 % making them perfect for bathrooms and other damp areas. A low water absorption rate enables a tile to absorb the stain of food and beverages in a lesser percentage.
Ceramic tiles
The main difference between porcelain vs ceramic tile is water resistance. Ceramic tiles are more porous and it has a higher water absorption rate. With proper installation and good quality grout, it can be used in the bathroom and outside applications.
Durability
Porcelain tiles
Since porcelain tile has a highly dense material, it is much harder and can withstand heavy use over time than ceramic tile. Porcelain tile is more durable and less prone to wear. Which makes it ideal for both home and commercial use.
Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles are not as durable as porcelain tiles. Since it has a less dense material, it is also less hard and can be more versatile. It is better to avoid using at a higher traffic place. Our ceramic tile manufacturing company in India offers tiles that have a more natural feel.
Easier to cut
Porcelain tiles
As porcelain tiles are denser and much heavier than ceramic tiles, this makes them harder to install. The thing which makes it so long-lasting and reliable, it is also hard to cut through and lay out properly. For this, you require a professional and experienced tile settler to cut it properly.
Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles are less dense and durable compared to porcelain tiles. It is also easy to cut manually with a snap tile cutter. Ceramic tiles are easy to install since it is a softer material.
Colour and appeal to elegance
Porcelain tiles
While investing in porcelain tiles, there is a wide range of styles available so you don’t have to stick to one particular style. You can find porcelain tiles in many different appearances, like marble, granite, hardwoods, limestone, and many other kinds of flooring as well.
Ceramic tiles
Some experts find it is more flexible and easy to create an artful design. It is mostly available in natural colour and can be printed in an attractive look on hardwood and stones. Ceramic tiles are the best choice for kitchen walls for giving a warm look.
Maintenance
Porcelain tiles
Besides their durability, porcelain tiles look great, they’re tough and easy to maintain. Simply wash them regularly and they will remain in good shape for years.
Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles are extremely tough and impossible to crack, it is easy to maintain and take care of. Stain or dirt can easily be cleaned by simply being mopped.
Prevents Growth of Germs and Moulds
Porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles will remain the same with regular cleaning and do not harbour bacteria like some porous materials, and they are easy to keep clean over time. Due to the impervious material porcelain tiles prevent growth of germs and moulds.
Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles are not only easy to clean, but they also prevent the growth of germs and moulds. It has a hard surface that makes them impermeable, which means they are resistant to water and moisture making them less prone to germs and moulds.
Cost
Porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles are certainly more expensive, which you have to think about especially if your budget is tight. It begins at $3 to $35 per square foot. Porcelain tile is also more difficult to repair and the cost compared to other tiles is much more.
Ceramic tiles
In comparison to porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles are cheaper and affordable for everyone's budget. It begins at $0.50 to $35 per square foot. But remember that you have to deal with maintenance and repair expenses over the years.
Best use for
Porcelain tiles
- Floors
- Use on walls depending on weight
- Commercial properties – hotels, offices, retail outlets
- Areas with very high moisture levels such as bathrooms
- High foot traffic areas
- Exterior and interior both
Ceramic tiles
- Walls and floors.
- Home interiors.
- Commercial interior walls.
- Low foot traffic areas
- Interiors only
How to Differentiate Between Porcelain Tiles vs. Ceramic Tiles
Porcelain tiles are unglazed and have the same colour underneath while ceramic tiles often have a glazed surface and reveal different colours underneath.
Porcelain tiles' water absorption level is less than 0.5 % whereas ceramic tiles’ water absorption level is more than 0.5%.
Porcelain tiles are denser and harder compared to ceramic tiles, which are less dense and softer.
Porcelain tiles are more brittle and available in many designs, whereas ceramic tiles can be prone to cracking in cold weather and are available in more up-to-date designs.
Porcelain tiles are dense and hard in nature, so it is difficult to cut. Ceramic tiles are less dense and soft in nature and easy to cut.
Conclusion
From the above article, you got to know the difference between porcelain tiles vs. ceramic tiles and the pros and cons of each.
Porcelain tile is expensive but it is a harder substance that prevents cracking and is highly durable. While ceramic tile is cheaper, it is less dense and may crack in cold weather.
The higher water resistance of porcelain tiles makes them an option to use both indoors and outdoors. However, ceramic tiles tend to have a softer surface to make them suitable inside the home in warm climates.
Confused as to which one to select? Porcelain tiles vs ceramic tiles, which is better for your needs? We hope this article will help you choose the right tile to beautify your space.
At Lioli Ceramica porcelain tile manufacture company in Morbi, our team of experienced designers and artisans create beautifully designed slab tiles for amping up your outdoor or indoor floors, walls, and countertops.
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