When it comes to selecting the perfect tiles for your home or project, understanding the differences between porcelain and ceramic tiles is crucial. Both materials offer unique advantages, but which one is right for you? In this article, we’ll dive into the benefits of porcelain versus ceramic tiles, examining factors like durability, style, water resistance, and cost. Whether you’re renovating a bathroom, updating your kitchen, or designing a new space, this guide will help you make an informed choice between porcelain and ceramic tiles.
It is indeed a bit tricky when it comes to choosing the right material from the different tiles brand. This article has all your concerns covered regarding porcelain vs ceramic tiles.
Before anything else, let’s look into the basic difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles.
Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles
Both these tiles are made up of clay and other naturally available minerals. However, the manufacturing process for ceramic tiles is done by firing them at a low temperature. On the other hand, porcelain tiles are fired at a much higher temperature. Due to this difference in production, the ceramic tiles are made more porous and soft to make them easily cut and installed, while the denser ceramic tiles are hardy and long-lasting.
Let’s now see how to choose the perfect tile from the famous tile brands in India.
Benefits of Porcelain vs Ceramic Tiles: Which one should you consider?
1. Resilience Advantage
Outstandingly, the resilience of porcelain tiles is usually very high. They bear maximum resistance to abrasion and heaviest loads without breaking or chipping; they include high traffic. Therefore, they are more suitable as parking tiles. These tiles also have higher water absorption resistance, making them suffer less in freeze-thaw cycles.
While ceramic tiles are resilient, they do not support very heavy loads like porcelain tiles do; hence are recommended for use indoors where there is less human traffic.
2. Waterproof Properties
Porcelain tiles, due to their non-porous structure, render them water-resistant. These tiles, hence, are more suitable to be used in a region where there exists abundant moisture, including bathrooms, the kitchen, outdoor patios, and parking areas.
If you were to consider the exterior of your home, porcelain bathroom tiles are still a better choice because of their water-resistant nature. These stainless and avoid cracking and mould growth even in the worst conditions. While the ceramics come glazed, the porcelain tiles are still a better option to go with.
3. Aesthetic Outlook
Which one looks better? The truth is that both ceramics and porcelain have their options. Due to their high firing temperature, porcelains are capable of being made into intricate designs imitating natural materials like wood, stone, or even concrete with ease.
Ceramic tiles boast similar artistic detailing and realism, so they are more applicable to traditional and rustic aesthetic forms. They’re often used for decorative features like backsplashes and accent walls.
4. Installation Convenience
When you are considering any DIY project, the ease of installation is one factor that you need to consider. Ceramic tiles, in general, are easier to install because they are of a softer constitution. They are, therefore, appropriate for small-area projects where round fixtures and corners need to be installed.
Extra effort and special tools are required to cut and lay porcelain tiles because of their density and hardness. Porcelain tiles are harder and more brittle, making them difficult to cut. It requires specialised tools like diamond blades and wet saws to ensure clean, precise cuts without cracking or chipping the tiles. On top of that, the hardness of porcelain can make it more challenging to install, requiring more effort to lay and align the tiles properly.
5. Expenditure on Maintenance
Both are relatively low maintenance. The porcelain tiles are more resistant to stains and require less frequency in cleaning.
On the other hand, ceramic does require a little more cleaning due to stains and spills. Stains also occur relatively easily on the grout lines between the ceramic tiles and may be in need of sealing from time to time to avoid discoloration. However, it is of low maintenance since its cleaning requires just a damp cloth or mop.
6. Cost Considerations
Cost is an intrinsic factor when choosing porcelain vs ceramic tiles. Ceramic tiles range from 0.5$ to 12$ per square foot by tile brands, while porcelain tiles can run from 3$ to 20$ per square foot. Hence, ceramic tiles turn out to be very attractive to homeowners working on a tight budget.
But long-term benefits and the cost of maintenance are also something to note. While porcelain tiles have higher upfront costs, these are balanced by more significant savings in reduced maintenance and robust tiles, especially in parking and bathroom areas.
| Feature | Porcelain Tiles | Ceramic Tiles |
| Material Composition | Made from finer, denser clay, often includes sand and feldspar | Made from coarser clay |
| Durability | Highly durable, resistant to wear and tear, suitable for high-traffic areas | Less durable, better suited for low to moderate-traffic areas |
| Water Absorption | Very low water absorption (< 0.5%); highly resistant to moisture | Higher water absorption (> 0.5%); less moisture-resistant |
| Density & Hardness | Denser and harder, making them more difficult to cut and install | Less dense and hard, easier to cut and install |
| Scratch Resistance | Highly scratch-resistant, ideal for heavy use | More prone to scratching, better for lighter use |
| Cost | Generally more expensive due to superior qualities | More affordable, suitable for budget-conscious projects |
| Installation | Requires specialised tools (e.g., diamond blade wet saw) and more effort to install | Easier to install with standard tools |
| Aesthetic Variety | Wide range of styles, including wood and stone looks; typically more uniform | Wide variety of colours and designs, often with more variation in appearance |
| Indoor/Outdoor Use | Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, especially in areas exposed to the elements | Typically used indoors, not recommended for outdoor use due to higher porosity |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance, resistant to stains and easy to clean | Requires regular sealing in some cases and more careful cleaning |
Conclusion
The final decision will narrow down to your needs, taste, and budget. If you need something more robust, then porcelain tiles are your to-go choice. Porcelain tiles are more particularly indicated in areas with high traffic, such as parking tiles, or where performance is critical, such as water resistance in elevation tiles.
Ceramic tiles, on the other hand, perform best where there is light traffic and with minimal exposure to moisture, such as in bedrooms. Knowing the benefits of these tiles and the needs of your space will assist you in making a decision regarding which tiles would look good in your area, making it more beautiful and functional. A quality tile brand will also ensure that whatever tile you select stands the test of time.
Still wondering which tile would be best amongst ceramic or porcelain tiles? We’re here to help you make the right choice. Just give us a call or leave a comment, and we’ll provide you with personalised information tailored to your living space.
