Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles?

When choosing tiles for your kitchen or bathroom, the decision between ceramic or porcelain tiles might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but knowing the difference between the two could save you a lot of time and effort, as well as money. The two types of tiles have generally similar purposes, but there are specific differences between them, and the uses also differ slightly. Having said that, it’s not as complicated as it sounds and here is a summary of each type of tile:

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are suitable for both floors and walls, and although they are not as hardwearing as porcelain tiles, they are often cheaper and more readily available. Ceramic tiles are also only designed for use indoor.

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are the more expensive of the two options, but are created for both indoor and outdoor use, and are a lot more versatile and capable of dealing with heavy traffic or footfall.

So what are the main differences? How can you choose between the two? Here are a few comparisons:

Value

Ceramic tiles are cheaper than porcelain tiles, so if you’re watching your budget it sounds like an obvious answer to purchase ceramic. However, if you purchase ceramic tiles for an area of very heavy footfall, such as your kitchen floor, it might be worthwhile to spend more money initially, as the ceramic tiles, if used in an inappropriate area, will be much more likely to scuff, chip or crack, and will ultimately need replacing much quicker than porcelain. Clearly, the value will depend on the use and the unique circumstance within your home.

Density

Porcelain tiles are a lot denser than ceramic tiles and they win this comparison easily. The density of the porcelain tile also makes it a lot less porous than ceramic so it will last longer in damper conditions such as kitchens and bathrooms. Also, because the ceramic is less dense, if it chips the difference in glaze will be obvious, whereas the chip will hardly be noticeable in a porcelain tile.

Ease of cutting

If your tiles will need cutting to shape and size, the ease of cutting is something you should consider. Ceramic is much easier to cut due to the less dense nature of the clay and this can make it quicker and easier to get your tiles into place.

Porcelain versus ceramic is not something that you should overlook when renovating or redecorating your home. Here at Tiles 2 Go we have a huge range of tiles to suit any need. Check out our products today.