Ceramic Tiles vs Porcelain Tiles

Deciding Between Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles for Your Project

If you’re planning a project, you must make sure you pick the right tile for the job. There are lots of different tiles to choose from, but the two most popular are ceramic and porcelain tiles.

They might look pretty similar at first glance, but the truth is that they both have unique characteristics that will influence the project’s success. They are both designed for specific situations. It doesn’t matter what kind of space you are attempting to tile, whether it is the floor, kitchen, bathroom, or wall; you need to make sure you pick the right tile for the job.

So, let’s examine each tile’s characteristics and compare their advantages and disadvantages. Our goal is to ensure that you have the best options for your needs. After all, the right tile makes a difference between good and bad projects—and how stressed you are! Let’s get stuck into it and keep everything happy and calm.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles - what’s the difference?

So, to understand which tile is best for what situation, you need to know the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles. Luckily, we’re here to explain it.

So, a ceramic tile is made of a mix of clay and other materials found naturally in the world. You take these materials, mould them into shape, and then fire them at high temperatures. Once they are cooked, they are finished off with a glaze that adds colours and patterns. Ceramic tiles have been used for centuries, and they’re trendy as well as quite traditional.

Meanwhile, porcelain tiles are a special type of ceramic made from refined clay and cooked at higher temperatures. The tile that comes out is less porous and denser. This is a more bespoke type of tile, so it’s considered to be more expensive and higher quality.

Considering you’ve got to fire porcelain at higher temperatures than ceramic, the result is a stronger tile. The higher temperature makes them more resistant to damage and weathering. Obviously, the need for higher temperatures is what can drive the cost up – we don’t all have an industrial kiln sitting around!

What are the key differences between ceramic and porcelain tiles?

There are quite a few differences between ceramic and porcelain tiles that are worth noting. Let’s take a look at some of them together:

Manufacturing

The manufacturing process for each tile is quite different. They are both made of clay, but the big difference is the type of clay used. Ceramic tiles are often made using white, red, or brown clay and have a top level of glaze to add colour to the mix. They are fired at lower temperatures and are easier to create. Meanwhile, porcelain tiles are made from dense, more finely sourced clay, and they are cooked at much higher temperatures. This also makes them more challenging.

Durability

Porcelain tiles are much more durable than ceramic options. This means you tend to see them used outside much more or in places with more traffic. They also have a low absorption rate, meaning they are less likely to be damaged by water or stained. They also get a lot of use in bathrooms because moisture is generated frequently. In contrast, ceramic tile is not as tough and can chip and crack more. However, it’s also cheaper to produce, so it is used in more places.

Water Absorption

Ceramic tiles tend to absorb more water than porcelain tiles, which can damage them over long periods. Ceramic options have an absorption rate of up to 7%, meaning they take a large amount of water. By comparison, porcelain tiles usually have a 0.5% absorption rate, making them much more water damage resistant.

Usage and flexibility

Both types of tiles are pretty flexible and can be used in many settings because they are available in different colours and designs. However, porcelain tiles can look more convincingly like natural materials such as wood and stone due to a high level of detail and precision while manufacturing. Furthermore, the glaze applied to a ceramic tile to create the desired colour is only surface-level. If the tile is damaged, the natural colour is visible underneath. In contrast, porcelain tiles are designed to be consistently coloured regardless of which part of the tile is displayed.

Installation

When it comes to installation, ceramic tiles are the preferred choice for people on a budget. Porcelain tiles are made of tougher materials that require specialist tools to cut and prepare properly. Ceramic tiles are much easier to work with because they are lighter and simpler to install in the home.

Costs for projects

Regarding costs, ceramic tiles are always cheaper because they are easier to produce and of lesser quality. They still look good, but they are much more affordable. Porcelain tiles are more expensive, use refined materials, and require a higher temperature to create. However, the trade-off for this is their incredible durability and resistance to water damage.

Ongoing maintenance

Both types of tiles are very easy to maintain and in good condition. It’s worth looking after them with a mild detergent and sweeping using water. With this being said, porcelain tiles don’t require as much upkeep and generally can be left alone for long periods. Ceramic tiles, however, may require more frequent cleaning to keep in good condition.

Best places for use

The overall usage of both tiles would depend on the environment you intend to put them into. You can generally use ceramic tiles for indoor areas whether there isn’t a lot of moisture or foot traffic. This means that places like walls and countertops are a good idea, as well as decorative areas like splashbacks. In contrast, you will find that porcelain tiles are much more suitable for heavy duty use. This means places where people will walk often, outdoor areas, and areas where moisture is frequent. They are often found in bathrooms and public pools and very useful for other commercial spaces because they are durable.

The best situations for choosing ceramic tiles

Ceramic tiles are a good choice if you are trying to work on a project that doesn’t need a high level of water resistance or durability. Good examples are when you want to do things like tile a kitchen, add to the bathroom walls, or place something where people don’t tend to walk. It is a good, cost-effective solution that helps provide a beautiful design without worrying about durability.

Ceramic is a good pick for anybody working from a budget, anybody installing tiles indoors and won’t be using them for anything heavy-duty, and projects that require colourful patterns. Ceramic is great for people who are working to improve the aesthetic of a room because it is designed almost entirely to look great and be easy to put in.

Of course, the other side is that you have porcelain tiles. These are much more bespoke and premium than ceramic options, so they are used for more specialist projects. If you need a durable tile and water resistance, then porcelain is the best pick.

Porcelain Tiles

If you’re trying to tile a bathroom, commercial space, outdoor patio, or high-traffic area, you will want to consider porcelain to ensure that the project is cost-effective.

The big advantage of using porcelain tile is how absorbent it is to water. Porcelain does not absorb much water at all, with only a 0.5% absorption rate, so it’s very useful for places where there is a lot of moisture because it won’t become damaged. It is specifically helpful in outdoor areas because the low water absorption coupled with a natural resistance to frost makes it ideal for outdoor areas.

Many people use tiles like this in areas where durability is required, such as kitchens and bathrooms, where moisture is generated regularly. Porcelain tiles are also used in areas where you want to create a natural look because they’re very good at mimicking wood and stone.

Final thoughts - which is best for you?

About deciding between ceramic and porcelain tile, the focus will always be on the context of the project, which needs doing. What task are you trying to do? Are you working outdoors or indoors? Will the area see a lot of moisture?

These types of questions are vital to making intelligent decisions. Ceramic tiles are generally speaking the cheap and accessible option. They don’t cost as much to produce and can be fitted into many spaces. They’re very reliable for a budget project and see a lot of use in DIY jobs.

The other side of the coin is porcelain tile, which is more expensive but of better quality and built to last. It will cope with moisture and frost damage better than ceramic, but it’s a specialist job to put it in. You see porcelain more in corporate settings, but anyone can have them fitted if they pay. You just need to look at what’s on offer and pick what fits your needs.