They work well on walls and floors and areavailable in various colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes.
If you’re trying to decide between ceramic vs. porcelain tile, knowing the difference between them is essential.
Porcelain and ceramic tiles are made with very similar materials and processes, but the two have slight differences.
Credit:(L) Adam Albright, (R) Edward Gohlich
In general, porcelain tile is harder than ceramic and offers greater design flexibility.
It’s fired at a higher temperature and greater pressure, producing extremely dense and solid material.
Porcelain tiles are ideal for cold-weather climates where freeze/thaw conditions are a concern.
Credit:Jay Wilde
“But this does not mean all porcelain tiles are created equal.”
All tile feels hard, but some types are harder than others.
Hardness ratings are as follows:
Proper underlayment is a must when installing ceramic or porcelain tiles on floors.
Tile must be installed over firmly supported subflooring to prevent chipping and cracking.
If tiles break over time, they should always be replaced instead of repaired.
It’s also important to note that tile groutcan be challenging to cleanif left unsealed.
This property is measured on a 10-point scale, with ten being the most slip-resistant.
“Porcelain also offers strong advantages when it comes to design,” Woods says.
However, certain factors makeinstalling porcelain tilea more difficult DIY project.
Its density and hardness require a wet saw with a porcelain diamond blade.
For proper surface adhesion, you should use a latex-modified thin-set mortar.
For large-format porcelain tiles, you need a level substrate to reduce lippage or variations in height.
Porcelain tile’s payoff of lasting beauty is well worth the additional installation requirements.
