The kitchen is the heart and center of the home. It’s where we prepare food for our families, gather with guests, eat, do homework, and so much more. Many daily activities happen in the kitchen, so selecting the right flooring is essential. If you want to tile a kitchen floor, porcelain, and ceramic tiles are great choices.
Both porcelain and ceramic make a stunning design statement; in fact, it can be difficult to tell these two materials apart. However, there are some distinct differences in how the materials perform. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between ceramic and porcelain tile so you can determine which tile is best for you based on water resistance, durability, costs, and installation. So, let’s get started.
Which is more water resistant, porcelain tile or ceramic tile?
If you’ve ever washed dishes by hand, you know a lot of water can wind up on the kitchen floor. It’s not unusual to encounter kitchen splashes, spills, and rogue ice cubes from your refrigerator’s ice maker. Before choosing kitchen floor tiles, you’ll want to consider water resistance. Can the tile withstand water, spills, and melting ice cubes without damage?
As we mentioned before, it’s hard to distinguish the differences between ceramic and porcelain just by looking at them. Both porcelain and ceramic consist of clay and minerals, compressed and heated at high temperatures. However, porcelain contains finer clay particles and is manufactured using higher temperatures, making porcelain denser and less porous than ceramic tiles. Porcelain is one of the most water-resistant tiles on the market, with an absorption rate of less than 0.5%, while ceramic tiles have a 3% to 7% water absorption rate.
Glazes and finishes can make ceramic tiles more water resistant, but they still can’t compete with the lower water absorption rates and resistance embedded in porcelain tiles. It’s important to note that neither tile is entirely waterproof, meaning they may allow some water to seep through if submerged long enough. Still, porcelain tile provides all the water resistance you need to withstand the most demanding activities in the kitchen.
Which is more dense and durable, porcelain tile or ceramic tile?
A kitchen is a busy place, the hub for so many activities. With people coming and going, food prep, and other daily activities, it’s important to find durable flooring that won’t damage easily.
Porcelain’s manufacturing process not only makes it more water-resistance, but it also makes porcelain more durable. While both tiles meet the demands of high-traffic high-demand kitchens, porcelain tile is less likely to show wear and tear. Porcelain is an extremely hard and tough material that resists stains, acids, scratches, and damage better than ceramic. Porcelain’s strength and density add to its durability but also make it a surface likely to shatter plates, dishes, and glassware that fall on the floor.
Both porcelain and ceramic tile are used throughout the home to create backsplashes, shower walls, and other surfaces, so you’ll want to be sure you’re selecting a tile rated for high-traffic foot usage when you select your tile. Look for ceramic tiles with a PEI rating from the Porcelain Enamel Institute of at least 3. PEI ratings come on a scale from 0-5, with 3 indicating its suitable for high-traffic flooring.
Regular maintenance, including sweeping, mopping, and spot cleaning with a damp rag, will maintain the beauty of your porcelain floors for a long time. Most porcelain will last a lifetime with the proper care.
Which is more expensive, porcelain tile or ceramic tile?
Cost is one area where ceramic has a slight advantage over porcelain. Due to the manufacturing process, porcelain tiles are typically more expensive than ceramic tiles. Ceramic tile is more affordable, with prices generally 60-70 percent less than porcelain. Porcelain tiles cost, on average, from $2 to $30 per square foot, while ceramic tiles cost from $2 to $20 per square foot, so while ceramic is cheaper, the price difference might not be enough to give up other qualities, including water resistance and durability.
Several factors add to tile costs, including quality, thickness, size, country of origin, and the manufacturer. Porcelain slabs and tiles with through-veining technologies that carry the surface design through the slab may be more expensive, and it can also cost more to install porcelain tiles, which we’ll cover next.
Which is easier to install, porcelain tile or ceramic tile?
The installation process for porcelain and ceramic tiles is very similar, but there are a few differences to remember. Porcelain tiles are denser and heavier than ceramic tiles, which makes them more difficult to carry, handle and install.
Porcelain is not an ideal flooring material for DIYers since it’s easy to drop and crack. The weight and density of porcelain tiles are best suited for a professional flooring installer with the right tools and experience. Unlike ceramic tile, which can be cut with standard tiling tools, porcelain requires a wet diamond saw to make clean-edged cuts.
Overall, porcelain tile installation is more complex and expensive than ceramic, but the extra cost is worth it in the long run to get beautiful kitchen floors that will withstand the test of time.
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If you’re considering new tiles for your kitchen, check out TERACANTO, the latest brand from LX Hausys. TERACANTO porcelain comes in several colors and patterns, including large-format tiles that closely resemble rare marble. If you need help selecting porcelain tiles, LX Hausys’ experts will gladly help. Complete our contact form, and some will respond quickly.