The Difference Between Porcelain And Ceramic Tile

You need a professional to install porcelain tiles.

The difference between porcelain and ceramic tile. Both porcelain and ceramic are fired in a kiln but porcelain is fired at a higher temperature for a longer period of time. They are processed at a higher temperature and pressure making them harder. Basically porcelain tiles are better for both indoor and outdoor use as well as hard wearing. Porcelain tile comes in many surfaces such as matte rough non slip textured gloss semi gloss glazed and unglazed.

What does this mean. Porcelain tiles are more durable than ceramic tiles. Ceramic tiles are easier to install. Despite the fact that ceramic and porcelain tiles look very similar there are plenty of noticeable differences between the two.

According to the astm standards porcelain must have a water absorption rate of 0 5 percent or lower. Porcelain is actually a type of ceramic made from denser clays. Ceramic tiles are more porous and often have a higher water absorption rate. Many ceramic tiles will have a high surface wear code however the clay body of porcelain tiles withstand higher impact than ceramic.

Porcelain tile is almost impervious to water compared to ceramic tile. Even porcelain tiles are a variety of ceramic tiles. While ceramic tile is less dense than porcelain tile and thus less durable it is also a far easier material for do it yourselfer homeowners to cut manually by wet tile saw or with a snap tile cutter.