TILE: PORCELAIN VS CERAMIC
When it comes to the world of tiles, the terms ‘porcelain’ and ‘ceramic’ are often used interchangeably, even though they aren’t the same thing. In the following post, we will quickly explain the differences between the two types and where you might want to choose one over the other.
GENERAL
Both porcelain and ceramic tiles are part of the same family of tiles - the ceramic category. The real difference between the two today comes down to water penetration. Both are made of a mixture of clays and other natural materials mined from the earth. Both types are fired in a kiln. In general, porcelain is composed of finer clay components and is fired at a higher temperature than ceramic tiles. The result is that porcelain is a harder, more dense material than ceramic, and therefore absorbs less water.
CERAMIC
The clays used in the composition of ceramic tiles are less refined, which is part of the reason why ceramic tiles are a more affordable, albeit less durable, option. They are known for their natural coolness to the touch, which can be welcome in the summer but a bit more uncomfortable in colder months.
Ceramic tiles are coated with a glaze, so if the tile chips or cracks, the material under the glaze will show through.
Ceramic subway tiles line three walls of our Modern Victorian project.
PORCELAIN
As we mentioned, porcelain tiles are generally denser and less porous than ceramic tiles. The density is what makes the tile resistant to liquid penetration. Therefore, porcelain tiles are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, unlike ceramic tile which is strictly for indoor use.
Porcelain tiles are thus generally thought to be more durable, and are recommended for places with high amounts of traffic, like hallways, kitchen floors, and commercial applications.
Porcelain tiles are more resistant to chips and scratches, as well as stains and discolouration. Many porcelain tiles are ‘through-body’ tiles, which means that if you have an exposed tile edge, or a tile does get chipped over time, the colour of the tile continues through the entire material, which helps to disguise imperfections and damage over time. They tend to cost more than ceramic tiles, both for supply and installation. The tiles can be heavier and harder to lay, and they are also harder to cut. However, porcelain tiles today can be really convincing imitations of natural stones like marble and limestone, and in comparison to the price of real stone tile, are remarkably cheap.
The porcelain wall tiles shown above in our Ritchie Rowhouse project imitate the look marble at a fraction of the cost.
HOW TO CHOOSE
If you’re on a budget, ceramic will always be cheaper. However, porcelain will always last longer. Since floor tile wears out faster than wall tile, consider using porcelain tile on bathroom, laundry room, and mudroom floors, since these are areas with high foot traffic or areas where heavy items are dropped that can potentially damage floors.
Ceramic tile is a great choice for wall tile, particularly for backsplashes and area with accent tile. Glazed ceramics tiles that are rated for wet spaces should also hold up well in showers and on bathroom walls, as long as the manufacturer has rated the tile for wet locations. Most subway tile we specify are of ceramic composition, and this is a popular and classic option for bathroom wall tile and kitchen backsplashes.
Porcelain tiles on the floor, and ceramic mosaic on the walls of our Queens Quay Retreat project.