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By Tileswale
Porcelain or ceramic are two types of versatile & elegant surfaces. Both the tiles can be used for flooring purposes in the bathroom & kitchen. But there is a question that looms large on the minds of the consumers as Which Is Better Ceramic Or Porcelain.
The term ceramic or porcelain is interchangeably used by the consumers. It is because both the tile has the same application; and installation is easy & has the same qualities & shortcomings as wall & flooring material. The Ceramic And Porcelain Tiles falls under the larger tiles category which can be regarded as ceramics- a type which includes rigid shaped tiles from normal earthen clay and using the heat it is hardened. In the contemporary tile industry, the porcelain tile has its own category assigned as they meet certain requirements.
According to the North America Tile Council, a body that determines whether the tile is ceramic or porcelain first makes sure that the tile can meet vastly controlled water assimilation criteria. Surface glazing is done on both the porcelain & ceramic tile which is hard to distinguish between the two. Thus, porcelain ceramic tiles comparison makes it easy for the consumers to understand.
The water absorption capacity of porcelain tile is 0.5% or may be lower. To find out, the fired tile is weighed first, it is then boiled for about 5 hours & left in the water for about 24 hours. The tile is again weighed and if the tile weighs less than half of 1% more due to water getting absorbed in the surface, then the tile is considered as the porcelain tile.
For achieving such density, a special type kaolin clay mixture is used which is purer & finer than the ceramic clay. It contains feldspar & quartz in a notable amount. Tiles made from porcelain are fired at temperatures that range from 2200-2500 degree Fahrenheit. To put it in the right words for the consumers, it is said that porcelain is fine-grained, smooth & dense which is more resistant to water than the normal ceramic tile.
Ceramic floor tile can be defined as the tile made with lesser ratio of excellent kaolin clay & it usually lacks some additives that are used in making porcelain clay. Compared to the porcelain tile, the ceramic tiles are fired at a lower temperature usually not more than 1650 degrees Fahrenheit. These tiles are more prone to water penetration. But these differences between ceramic vs porcelain tiles are somewhat minimal when the tile is made glossy.
Both the porcelain and ceramic tile are produced using glazed surface coating and when you take a look, it indeed becomes difficult to distinguish.
One new improvement with porcelain tile is its ability to produce them for resembling various materials. Porcelain tiles come in various pattern & color and can be given a look like that if marble and wood grains. This particular characteristic make porcelain tiles the sought-after where you get the look of wood without the material getting damage from water.
Ceramic tiles that are not categorized as porcelain are of solid color. To get natural stone or wood grains stimulation using ceramic tiles is not common.
But when it comes to appearance, porcelain tiles stay ahead of ceramic tiles in the porcelain vs ceramic tiles comparison. It is because the porcelain tiles are available in various patterns, colors & surface finish including the tiles similar to natural stone & wood grains.
This is one significant ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles difference and according to the need of the consumer one will buy the tiles.
|
Feature |
Ceramic Tiles |
Porcelain Tiles |
|
Water Absorption |
Higher water absorption |
Lower water absorption (≤ 0.5%) |
|
Durability |
Less durable, prone to chipping |
Highly durable, resistant to chipping |
|
Price |
Generally less expensive |
More expensive |
|
Installation |
Easier to cut and install |
Requires professional installation |
|
Appearance |
Solid colors, fewer design options |
Variety of designs, including stone and wood looks |
Both porcelain & ceramic are resistant to heat & can be used for making countertops.
It is denser, more resistant to water heavier & is a much better option for outdoor purpose use; though outdoor use is only advisable in mild climates. The tile made from porcelain is resistant to heat & is a perfect choice for countertop surfaces.
It is more inclined to moisture penetration but the differences are negligible if glazing is done on the tile. The tile will resist water if it is glazed properly & in fine condition. The back portion of the tile will not resist water as it is unglazed. Advantage Of Ceramic tile also has good resistance to heat & is great option for countertop surface.
But when compared between the two, water resistance capacity of porcelain tiles are slightly better, it can be used in the outdoor space having mild climate. But ceramic tile cannot be used in outdoor in any environment.
It is easy to clean using a damp mop and mild cleaning agent. The grout which fills the joints between the tiles must be periodically sealed to protect against mildew & stains.
When it comes to ceramic tiles, the same cleaning & care needs to be taken like regular cleaning using a damp mop and mild soap solution. The joints also need to be sealed periodically so that the lifespan increases and you do not have to pay frequently for the replacement.
Thus, as far as the care & cleaning is concerned between porcelain vs ceramic tiles, it is the same for both.
Porcelain clays have been found to be much denser & less porous than ceramic clays. It makes porcelain tiles much harder & it is more resistant to moisture than ceramic tile. Because of the body composition, the porcelain tiles are considered to be more durable & suitable for heavy use than the ceramic tile. If any damage happens to the porcelain tile, it is nearly invisible. Porcelain is such a material which is easy to maintain, only requires periodical sealing of grout lines.
When a ceramic tile is chip, you will get to see various colors below the top glaze. It means that the chips will be visible. The ceramic tiles clay is less dense when compared with the porcelain clay; it means ceramic tiles are prone to breaking and cracking; ceramic tiles without glazing need application of sealers to the tile completely & not only on the grout lines.
Thus, when it comes to maintenance & durability, porcelain tiles wins the race. It is a much hard material with solid color throughout & the chips are hardly visible.
Easier to cut and install.
Lower cost, budget-friendly.
Available in a wide range of colors.
Less durable, prone to chipping.
Higher water absorption.
Limited design options.
Extremely durable and hard-wearing.
Lower water absorption, ideal for wet areas.
Wide variety of designs, including natural stone and wood effects.
More expensive.
Difficult to cut, requiring professional installation.
Both the porcelain and ceramic tiles flooring are installed using the same method of installation. Mortar-based thin set adhesive is used for setting the tiles. As the tiles are set, mortar-based grout is used for filling the joints between tiles. It is sealed against moisture once the grout dries up. Only slight differences exist in handling ceramic tile & porcelain tile & it is due to difference in density.
It is more brittle than the ceramic tile & requires the supervision and expertise of experienced & skilled professionals for setting the tiles with precision. For porcelain cutting, wet tile saw is the recommended tool while the inexpensive snap cutter works perfectly fine with the ceramic tile.
As far as the density is concerned, ceramic tile is less dense than porcelain tile. It is less durable & is a much easier material for the homeowners to cut physically using snap cutter or wet tile saw.
When it comes to the installation, ceramic tile is much easier to install, though the technique used for installation is the same. Ceramic is a softer material which is easy to cut. Usually, homeowners who install tile will find only a slight difference between the ceramic tiles vs porcelain tiles installation.
Tip 1: Use a wet tile saw for cutting porcelain tiles as they are denser and harder to cut than ceramic tiles.
Tip 2: For DIY installation of ceramic tiles, make sure to use a level to avoid uneven surfaces.
Tip 3: When setting tiles, apply mortar-based thin set adhesive evenly to ensure a strong bond.
Manufacturing porcelain tile is found to be much more expensive than ceramic tile. It leads to high retail prices. The price of porcelain tile starts from $3 (237INR) per square foot and it can go up to $35 (2765INR) per square foot.
When it comes to the cost, the ceramic tile is considered to be much cheaper than the porcelain tile. On an average, the price of the ceramic tile is 60-70% less than the porcelain tile. You will get ceramic tile at a lowest price like 0.50$ (39.50INR) per square foot and can goes up to $35 (2765INR) per square foot.
Thus, for the common category, ceramic tile is considered to be less expensive than porcelain tiles. But the price range for both types surprisingly has a large range. You must also know for your knowledge that the price of the premium quality designer tiles has the same cost as the porcelain & ceramic.
Both porcelain & ceramic tiles are extremely durable construction materials, if the materials are taken good care. In terms of longevity, the homeowners will find slight differences between ceramic vs porcelain tile.
This particular tile has hard substance & can endure the regular wear & tear much better than ceramic tile. But the hardness can make the tile more prone to cracks under the structural shifting in the building.
It has been found that ceramic floor tile can last for about 75-100 years when periodical sealing is done and grout is maintained properly. It is much softer than the porcelain tile and does not wear as much as the porcelain tile. It can resist cracking because of structure shifting & is much better than the porcelain tile.
Both the materials can have lifetime longevity if the tiles are maintained properly. It depends on the choice of the consumers which one to use for construction purposes.
As of now it is clear to you about the porcelain and ceramic tile. But depending on the choice and space, you can proceed with the selection of the tiles for the construction or renovation work. You can also use a combination of both as there is hardly any difference between the two.
Thus, when it comes to buying tiles for your home or for any commercial project, make sure that you buy from a premium manufacturer. Both the materials are great but if there is a budget constraint, then ceramic tile is the most preferred option. When it comes to use of the tiles for outdoor space, then porcelain is a great choice even if it is expensive. It will last for a long time.
You will get the best quality and variety of options for porcelain and ceramic tiles. Buying the tiles from the premium online manufacturer is the best option as you also save a considerable amount. The online manufacturer offers a great discount to the consumers. Wide range of color, patterns & textures you will be able to see online which you can hardly find in the retail store.
When it comes to selecting porcelain tiles vs ceramic tiles, there is no clear winner as both have the same construction materials & both are suitable for flooring material, countertop surface and wall covering. While buying the tiles, make sure to check the density. The type of color and style of the tiles reflects the taste of an individual. Consumers get attracted towards the tile which is visually appealing. Porcelain is preferred much more than ceramic tiles because of its hardness, durability, versatility and style.
Selection of the material completely depends on the use & situation and choosing between ceramic & porcelain tile will vary on the types of use it is used.
When you proceed to buy, make sure to consider the space and for what purpose you are buying the tiles. So, whatever you choose, your home or the space where you are installing will look fresh and alive. Now it won’t be difficult for you to choose as you know all the characteristics and look almost the same. Budget is a primary concern and when you have such constraints you can go for the cheaper version maintaining the same classy look. It is best to buy the tiles online as there will be no hassle of carrying such heavy loads all by yourself. The tiles will be delivered right at the doorstep.
A: Yes, porcelain tiles are denser and more resistant to water, making them suitable for outdoor use, especially in mild climates.
A: Ceramic tiles can be used in bathrooms, but porcelain tiles are generally recommended for wet areas due to their lower water absorption rate.
A: Both types require regular cleaning with a damp mop and mild soap. However, porcelain tiles are more durable and resistant to stains, making them easier to maintain in the long run.
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