Ceramic and porcelain tiles are essentially very similar. They are both made from clay and undergo a similar baking process. Ceramic tiles are more absorbent as they're made from porous clay, and are therefore best suited for indoor walls. Porcelain tiles, made of refined clay are harder and better for high traffic or wet areas. Because of the cost effectiveness they are mostly referred as Cheap ceramic and porcelain tiles or cheap ceramic and porcelain floors.
Straight Answer:
Although they may look the same, the main difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles is that a 'porcelain' tile is much denser than a 'ceramic' tile and less porous, making it more hard wearing and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. This extra density is a result of slightly different manufacturing materials & processes.
While ceramic tiles are only recommended for interior walls, porcelain tiles are a more common choice for floors that anticipate heavier traffic as they are much more resistant to scratching, chipping, etc. These will include areas such as kitchen floors, entrances and the majority of commercial applications. Due to their low water absorption, porcelain tiles are also suitable for outdoors.
| Variation | Ceramic | Porcelain |
| Made of | Red, brown or white porous clay. Less refined and purified. | White clay. More refined and purified. |
| Pros | Less expensive , easier to cut for DIY projects. | Less absorbent, hence more stain-resistant. |
| Cons | More susceptible to chipping and cracking in cold weather. More porous and less stain-resistant. | Expensive, brittle, too hard to cut without the help of experts. |
| Uses | Interior walls | Floors and exterior walls. |
| Cost | Cheapest | Cheaper |
| Color | Baked on to the top only | Runs through the whole tile |
| Maintenance | Can be easily cleaned with a sponge. | Can be easily cleaned with a sponge. |
More Technical:
The PEI rating, is a great tool to help you determine the recommended use for the tile. All ceramic and porcelain tiles will be classified with a PEI rating, although it is more common with floor tiles. In summary, the 5-scale rating is as follows:
• PEI 0 - No foot traffic (wall tile only)
• PEI 1 - Very light traffic (e.g bathroom)
• PEI 2 - Light traffic (e.g. bathroom and bedroom)
• PEI 3 - Light to moderate traffic (most domestic floors; no heavy appliances/traffic)
• PEI 4 - Moderate to heavy traffic (e.g. door entry, kitchen, balcony, some commercial)
• PEI 5 - Heavy traffic (all domestic/commercial uses with heavy abrasion/footfall)
Generally, most ceramic floor tiles will carry a PEI rating from 3 to 4, with porcelain tiles ranging from PEI 3 to 5. Our advice is to always check with us or your installer to confirm your intended use of a tile.
If you are needing a floor tile for a commercial project, discuss your requirements with us, however, it is recommended that you should look at a floor tile with a PEI rating of 5.
Maintenance: Ceramic tiles are very easy to work with: they can be scored, cut and nipped fairly easily with the right tools. Most DIY'ers, and certainly fixers, don't have any problems.
As porcelain tiles are denser and much hard wearing, they are generally heavier and harder to work with (cut, etc). The average DIY'er may find it more difficult to work with them, however, a professional fixer should have the right tools to help them do the job. Regardless, it may take more time compared to tiling the same area with ceramic tiles.
Comments