Learn the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile and use these techniques to incorporate tile accents into your kitchen, bathroom, entryway, and other areas. Tile is a highly versatile product and can add value to different rooms in your home. Tile is a must in the bathroom and kitchen areas. Bathroom tile for the floors is a beautiful choice, inside the bath or shower, on the walls to create a spa-like atmosphere, and there are several creative and practical tile backsplashes for the kitchen. The right tile used the right way can make the living space more attractive and inviting. Tile can be the correct item to use for outdoor spaces also. An outdoor tile patio, tile driveway, tile interior for your garage floor, or even on walls, when used correctly, tile is an exciting option for more than just floors.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles give a gorgeous, long-lasting accent to surfaces in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas. Here’s what you should look for when choosing a tile for your home.
Porcelain and ceramic tiles are perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and other damp spaces. These kiln-fired clay-based tiles are highly durable, clean easily, and resistant to water, stains, and everyday use. They look great on walls and floors and come in various colors, patterns, forms, and sizes. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are a practical solution that will last years and are typically less expensive than other varieties of natural stone or ornamental tile.
Knowing the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile is critical if you’re trying to pick between the two. Our article will lead you through the essential factors to consider when deciding on the right tile for your space.
What Is the Difference Between Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles?
Porcelain and ceramic tiles are created using similar materials and procedures. However, they differ slightly. Porcelain tile is often more challenging than ceramic tile and provides more design versatility. Although both are created from clay and other naturally occurring minerals burned in a kiln, porcelain tile’s clay is more refined and purified. It is shot at a higher temperature and pressure, resulting in an exceedingly dense and solid substance.
Porcelain is proven to be a durable material that is making a name for itself in the market. Porcelain tiles are appropriate for cold-weather locations with frequent freeze-thaw cycles. Furthermore, because it has a low moisture absorption rate (0.5% or less), porcelain is less likely to crack and is more stain-resistant. To some extent, the name porcelain has become branded—it is to tile what Kleenex is to tissue. However, this does not imply that all porcelain tiles are created equal.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Types
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are made in various shapes and sizes, best suited for specific applications. All tile is hard, but some types are more complex than others. A tile’s body, or bisque or biscuit, is made to fulfill a specific demand, such as lining a kitchen backsplash or covering a bathroom floor. Although thickness is one measure of strength, the composition of the tile, as well as the temperature and duration of the fire, also play a role.
Check the Porcelain Enamel Institute’s grade for the porcelain or ceramic tile you’re contemplating to see if it’s appropriate for a specific site. The following are the hardness ratings:
Class 0: There is no traffic. This tile should only be used on walls and should not be laid on floors.
Light traffic is classified as Class 1. These ceramic or porcelain tiles are best suited for areas with relatively little use, such as a guest bathroom where bare or stocking feet are the norm.
Class 2 moderate traffic. These tiles are intended for use in interiors with minimal wear. They are not suitable for kitchens, entrances, or stairwells.
Class 3 refers to medium-heavy traffic. This type of ceramic and porcelain can be utilized in any room of the house, including kitchens and bathrooms.
Class 4 refers to heavy traffic. These highly durable tiles can be used in residential and light to medium commercial settings.
Class 5 refers to hefty traffic. These tiles can be utilized everywhere, although they are most commonly found in retail and other commercial places with high foot traffic.
When laying ceramic or porcelain tiles on flooring, proper underlayment is essential. The tile should be applied on a well-supported subfloor to avoid chipping and cracking. If tiles shatter over time, they should be replaced rather than mended. It’s also worth noting that it can be challenging to clean if tile grout isn’t sealed.
Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Selection
Look for a tile with a high coefficient of friction, whether porcelain or ceramic, for safety in wet environments or flooring applications where accessibility is an issue. This feature is graded on a scale of ten, with ten being the most slip-resistant. Honed finishes generally provide more traction than shiny surfaces, which display fingerprints and footprints.
If you use porcelain tile, choose one with “through body color” for the most excellent quality. Some tiles have simply a ceramic glaze burned over the body; if chipped, the white, tan, or red clay base will be seen.
Porcelain also has significant advantages in terms of design. Because of its strength, it is available in a wide range of sizes, from a small mosaic 11 to enormous slabs of 24×48 and many strange sizes in between. Porcelain can also be corrected or cut to a specific size, allowing the tile constructor to set exceedingly tight grout seams.
Certain elements, however, make laying porcelain tile a more difficult DIY project. Its density and hardness necessitate using a wet saw with a porcelain diamond blade. For good surface adhesion, use a latex-modified thin-set mortar ($21, Local Hardware Store). A flat base is required for large-format porcelain tiles to reduce lippage or variances in height. If you’re concerned that the tile will be cold underfoot, try placing radiant or hydronic heating coils beneath it for added warmth.
The long-term beauty of porcelain tile is worth the extra installation time. Notably, surface treatments, textures, patterns, and color diversity are highly stylized, adding to the attraction of porcelain. The tile industry has expanded due to the introduction of porcelain tile, and this trend appears to continue.