Ceramic vs Porcelain-Complete User Guide

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right flooring for your home or business, and it's crucial to understand the characteristics of different materials. Today, we will delve into the differences between Ceramics and Porcelain to help you make more informed choices for future projects.

Differences Between Porcelain and Ceramic Tile

According to industry standards set by the Tile Council of North America, a porcelain tile is a virtually waterproof clay tile with a water absorption rate of no more than 0.5%. In contrast, non-porcelain tiles, such as ceramic tiles, typically have water absorption rates higher than 0.5 percent and can even reach 20%. This significant difference in water absorption makes porcelain tiles ideal for bathroom, kitchen, and outdoor floors and walls, as they are better able to withstand wet environments and reduce the potential problems associated with moisture absorption.

What Is Ceramic Tile?

Ceramic tile is usually made from clay mixed with minerals and water. A body of clay will be fired at around 800-1000°C, pressed in a press of around 6,000-7,000 tons, with a water absorption rate of between 0.5% and 3.0%, and in some cases as high as 20%!

Due to the temperature, the pressure and the lack of water absorption, ceramic tile is usually small in size and is suitable for use in small spaces.

What Is Porcelain Tile?

Porcelain tile consists mainly of a variety of inorganic non-metallic materials such as clay and ore. Ore is a naturally occurring mineral fused together with all the materials that make porcelain tile denser than ceramic tile and therefore stronger (30% stronger than granite!) More resistant to pollution. The tiles will be fired at temperatures of up to 1,200℃. The higher the firing temperature, the more permeation resistant the porcelain tile will be as the ore melts and forms a lower grade of glass. The U.S. standard set by the TCNA (Tile Council of North America) for ceramic products is that they must absorb less than or equal to 0.5% water absorption.

Due to the upgraded production process, Porcelain tiles can be produced in large sizes, usually 600✖1200mm and above, also known as Porcelain Slab.

How to Choose: Ceramic vs Porcelain

When choosing which tile or tiles are more appropriate for your project, it should depend on the specifics; different types of products are suitable for different spaces. The two biggest considerations are usually cost and water resistance.

Next, utilizing our many years of production and construction experience, we propose the following perspectives to consider:

Surface

Porcelain and ceramics look similar, but ceramics have more colors, textures and finishes. Porcelain can mimic the look of natural stone, wood and other materials. If you prefer a more visually appealing tile, porcelain may be a better choice. If you want more finishes and colors to choose from, then stick with ceramic tile.

Life cycle

Both porcelain and ceramic can last for decades if you use them normally. However, over time, porcelain wears better. porcelain is a denser, more durable tile than ceramic because of the difference in the production process and firing temperatures, using porcelain is extremely stable and not prone to shrinkage or cracking. It resists chips and scratches, and its durability makes it a good choice for hallways, bathrooms and outdoor patios.

Installation Difficulty

The porcelain and ceramic installation process is similar in that they both need to be used in conjunction with a special tile adhesive. apply the mortar to the substrate, press the tiles of your choice into the mortar, allow it to set, and then use an instrument to adjust it between each tile until it is level. ceramic is relatively easy to cut, and can be readily adapted to meet the requirements of DIY. Converselyporcelain is harder and requires the use of specialized cutting tools.

Space

Porcelain and ceramic tiles can be applied to walls and floors. However, ceramic can be applied in fewer places because it is too absorbent and is only suitable for spaces that do not have access to water and are small in size. On the contrary, porcelain, with its higher density and lower water absorption, can be applied to any indoor or outdoor space, such as kitchens, bathrooms, terraces and gardens.

Cost

Porcelain will be more expensive because of its complex manufacturing process.Porcelain is usually $4 to $20 per square foot for tile, while ceramic is usually $1 to $15 per square foot.Porcelain will also be a little more expensive in terms of labor incurred for installation. Porcelain is also more expensive in terms of labor, but in the long run, Porcelain is the best choice!

Comprehensive recommendations

The space you use may determine whether you choose ceramic or porcelain. if you prefer a DIY project, consider ceramic tile, there are many more colors, textures and finishes available. porcelain is a better choice for wet and high-traffic areas, but these tiles usually require professional installation. Whichever option you choose, we recommend keeping up with basic maintenance and cleaning to extend the life of your tiles.

Finally, we recommend that you check MERQI products in detail, MERQI after many years of technology accumulation and R & D investment, the production of porcelain has reached a higher level of quality, and even reached the level of sintered stone, size is 600 ✖ 1200mm or more, known as MERQI SLAB. From the appearance of meet most of the requirements of the design style.

MERQI sintered stone & slab can satisfy your choice of ideal space decoration.

Photo From MERQI-Joey Light Gray-Satin Glaze

MERQI will continue to share a complete guide on sintered stone and porcelain slabs. Our vision is to provide users with innovative design ideas and help them choose the right one for their decorative needs!