When choosing between these two tiles you want to figure which will be the best fit for your business. If you are looking for a more classic look, ceramic tile is the way to go and if you want more of a modern style, porcelain tile is your best choice. They both have their own benefits and drawbacks that you should take into consideration before making your final decision.
Composition:
Ceramic tile has been around longer than Porcelain tile, but Porcelain is a more modern invention. When making ceramic tiles they use natural clay that is kiln-fired, because of the composition and firing process, this gives the tiles their porosity. When feeling the tile, it will typically be rougher than porcelain tiles. Porcelain tiles are made up of finer, dneser clay that is also kiln-fired but at a higher temperature. This makes the porosity lower than cermaic tiles, which gives it a smoother feeling. The difference in the composition also makes porcelain tiles more durable and less prone to chipping and cracking than the ceramic tiles.
Appearance:
Both tiles come in a variety of colors, styles, and shapes. You can find them in both glazed and unglazed varieties. Both tiles in the glazed style have a smooth and shiny surface that are easy to clean. The unglazed style looks more natural with the matte finish, which makes them slip-resistnace and safer than glazed. Looking at the difference of colors on these tiles, ceramic tiles tend to be more muted. However, you can still find both tiles in an unlimited number of colors and patterns that suit your aesthic.
Water and Heat Resistance:
Since Porcelain tiles is a lot denser than ceramic tile, this makes it more water-resistant. It is popular to use porcelain tile in areas there is a lot of moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Ceramic tile is less dense but still is resistant to water just not as much as porcelain tile. Not only is porcelain more water resistant but also more heat resistant. This makes them great to use in areas with a lot of heat, such as fireplaces and outdoor patios, while ceramic tile is less heat resistant, and you should avoid hot areas when using ceramic tiles. You must always seal your tiles when installing to ensure water won't damage anything.
Care, cleaning, and maintenance:
Both tiles are very easy to clean, they just need a simple vaccum, sweep, or a damp mop to clean any mess in your space. When you are cleaning up a mess, make sure to use a mild cleaner and avoid any harsh chemicals. Both tiles are also stain-resistant, bu they can both be scratched up by dirt or grit from heavy foot traffic on your shoes. To avoid this from accuring, make sure the use/install an entry mat at the entrance for people to wip their shoes off.
Durability:
Like we said earlier, porcelain tile is going to be more durable than ceramic tile, they are less likely to chip, scratch, or crack. Porcelain tile is less porouc than ceramic tile, which means it is less likely to absorb spills and stains.
Lifespan:
Both porcelain and ceramic tiles can last a lifetime with the proper care and maintenance to the tiles. Typically, porcelain will last longer than ceramic tile but they botha re very durable. This makes porcelain tiles more expensice than ceramic tiles, however the price of tiles will always vary depending on the quality, style, and size of the tiles.
Call HTC Commercial Flooring for your next tile installation project! (708) 942-5800.