What Is The Difference Between Porcelain Tiles And Ceramic Tiles?
While they look similar, porcelain and ceramic tiles have key differences in manufacturing and performance that impact your choice.
Manufacturing and Composition: Density is Key
The core difference between porcelain and ceramic lies in their composition and the firing process, which results in significant differences in density and durability.
Ceramic Tile is made from a simpler mix of clay, water, and natural minerals. It is fired at a lower temperature and for a shorter duration than porcelain. This process results in a softer and more porous body. When an unglazed piece of ceramic tile is chipped, the underlying clay body, typically a reddish-brown color, is visible. Because of its higher porosity, standard ceramic tile has a water absorption rate that is typically greater than 0.5%. While great for walls and low-traffic interior floors, this softness and porosity make ceramic tile less suitable for outdoor use or extremely high-traffic areas where durability and frost resistance are essential.
Porcelain Tile is a type of ceramic tile, but it's classified separately due to its extremely refined composition. It's made from a denser, more refined white clay that often includes feldspar and silica. It is fired at a significantly higher temperature and for a longer time than traditional ceramic tile. This intense heat removes almost all the moisture, resulting in a tile body that is incredibly dense and hard. To be legally classified as porcelain, a tile must meet the international standard of having a water absorption rate of 0.5% or less. This low absorption rate is why porcelain is considered waterproof, freeze-thaw resistant, and suitable for commercial and outdoor applications.
Performance, Durability, and Installation
The differences in manufacturing translate directly into how the tiles perform in your home, affecting their ideal placement and long-term maintenance.
Durability and Hardness: Porcelain is significantly harder and more chip-resistant than ceramic. Its superior density means it can withstand much heavier foot traffic without showing wear, making it the preferred choice for busy entryways, large commercial spaces, and floors that need to stand up to pets and kids. Ceramic is easier to cut during installation due to its softer nature, but it can be more prone to chipping and is often reserved for backsplashes, walls, and interior residential floors with light to moderate traffic.
Water and Frost Resistance: As mentioned, porcelain's virtually non-porous nature ( $<0.5\%$ absorption) makes it highly resistant to water penetration and damage from freeze-thaw cycles, qualifying it for outdoor and unheated areas. While glazed ceramic is sealed against surface spills, its body is porous, meaning any moisture that gets underneath or through a damaged glaze can compromise the tile, making it unsuitable for frost-prone areas.
Cost and Repair: Ceramic tiles are generally more budget-friendly than porcelain tiles. However, porcelain offers long-term value, especially in its full-body variety, where the color runs all the way through the tile, making chips virtually unnoticeable. With S&R Flooring Concepts Inc., we can help you weigh the initial cost against the performance needs of your specific project.