Porcelain or Ceramic?

Porcelain or Ceramic?

Affordable and durable, both porcelain and ceramic tiles are popular choices for tiling bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and even bedrooms. Deciding between the two can be confusing. Similar in function and look, how do you know which to choose for your home projects?

Here’s a breakdown of the similarities and differences between porcelain and ceramic tiles.

Porcelain Tiles

Even though porcelain and ceramic are both made with natural clay, the biggest difference is that they’re manufactured using a different process. Porcelain is made up of a mixture of clay, minerals, and water. The tiles are fired in a kiln at a very high temperature, resulting in tiles that are very dense, durable, and almost non-porous so they absorb almost no water. 

These characteristics make porcelain perfect for any area in your home that gets wet or where staining may occur, such as in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and even outdoors on your patio. With its non-porous properties, porcelain is great when used for wall tiling in showers and for kitchen backsplashes. The durability of the tile makes it ideal for countertops and flooring throughout your home.

The upkeep and maintenance of porcelain is simple and easy. The density of the material makes it almost stain resistant and hard to damage. For countertops and bathrooms, warm water, mild soap, and a microfiber cloth are all you need to keep tile looking like new. Porcelain flooring just needs to be swept or vacuumed when needed. Follow up with a cleaning a couple of times a month with a water and vinegar solution or a mild commercial cleaning product to remove any build up of dirt. 

Porcelain tiles come in a wide variety of color, sizes, and styles. When it comes to cost, porcelain is more expense to manufacture and cut than ceramic. If your DIY home project includes porcelain, it’s best to let the experts help with tile cutting and installation. 

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are also made with a mixture of clay, minerals, and water. They’re then kiln-fired at a much lower temperature than porcelain, making the tiles softer, less dense, and more porous. After being fired once, many ceramic tiles are coated with a glaze and fired again. The process of re-firing creates tiles that are denser as well as scratch and stain resistant. 

Available in endless colors, patterns, and sizes, ceramic tiles can be used as flooring and on walls. They also look great as a backsplash in both bathrooms and kitchens. Being less durable than porcelain, it’s not recommended to install ceramic tiles in areas of high-impact, such as hallways, entryways, or outdoors. 

If regularly cleaned and maintained, ceramic tiles will look great for years to come. Sweep, mop, or vacuum weekly, washing at least twice a month with warm water and a mild detergent. When it comes to cost and installation, ceramic tiles are less expensive than porcelain and easy for the DIYer to install.

Still not sure whether to choose porcelain or ceramic for your tiling project? Talk to the professionals at Ceramique au Sommet for more information and help deciding which tile is right for your home.