The Difference Between Ceramic Tile and Porcelain Tile
Is there truly a big difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles, or is the distinction simply a matter of terminology?
Customers generally think that porcelain and ceramic are identical, even though they are not. It is easy to comprehend why ceramic and porcelain tiles are so similar, as they are both typically used for the same purposes, are placed in the same fashion, and provide the same advantages and drawbacks when applied as a floor or wall covering.
Tile stores may dispute the minimal differences between porcelain and ceramic tiles, likely to support its increased value, affluence, and cost. Do porcelain and ceramic tile really differ from one another?
Porcelain and ceramic tile fit into the bracket of ceramics, a division that incorporates all rigid tiles produced from natural clay and solidified through the application of heat. Today in the tile world, porcelain tiles have their own distinct section due to them fulfilling various specific requirements.
Definition of Ceramic and Porcelain
It can be perplexing to figure out the difference between ceramic and porcelain items, as they share plenty of commonalities. The clay for both has been put through the heat of a kiln and covered with a ceramic coating. However, they have some important differences as well. This essay will explain the main characteristics of ceramic and porcelain and compare them to each other.
Definition of Ceramic
Ceramic is an overall term utilized to portray an assortment of materials made by heating mud or different mixes at incredibly high temperatures. Generally, it encompasses items like ceramics, tiles, and kitchenware. A range of diverse finishes and designs can be achieved by coating ceramic with paint or a glossy glaze.
Ceramics can be classified into three distinct divisions: porcelain, stoneware, and earthenware.
- Porcelain is denser than stoneware and earthenware, which makes it the strongest type of ceramic. In addition to its strength and durability, porcelain also has an extremely smooth surface that lends itself well to decorative treatments such as hand painting or airbrushing. Porcelain is also the least porous type of ceramic material, which makes it ideal for use in bathrooms or kitchens where watertightness is important.
- Earthenware is the softest type of ceramic material and can be very delicate in nature. It also has a tendency to absorb moisture easily. Earthenware pieces tend to be thicker than their porcelain counterparts due to their lack of strength and durability. As a result, they are often produced in simpler shapes with fewer decorative details since any intricate detail may be too delicate to survive regular use or exposure over time.
- Stoneware falls somewhere between porcelain and earthenware in terms of strength and durability making it a popular choice for everyday items like plates or mugs since it can withstand some wear-and-tear but isn’t overly fragile like earthenware pieces tend to be. Stoneware has been used throughout history for many types of items including storage jars, jugs, figurines and table services sets due its versatility in design options depending on the levels at which it’s fired during production processes.
Definition of Porcelain
Porcelain is an art form created using a special kind of clay called kaolin, which is collected from various places around the globe. The clay is finely-grained and used to make ceramic items. This material is employed for serving dishes, flooring tiles, and other areas where there is a need for robustness, hardness, and the prevention of stains.
Porcelain has very few pores, making it virtually impermeable, and it is able to withstand sudden changes in temperature. This particular ceramic material is able to endure temperatures as high as 1800° Fahrenheit and does not interact with chemicals in the same way other ceramics do. Porcelain is an excellent choice for a multitude of purposes because it can accommodate numerous different types of glazes and finishes.
When comparing porcelain to its relative ceramic, there are some key differences to consider:
- Porcelain has a finer grain than ceramic and its ingredients go through more processing before they can be used as a material choice.
- Due to its high degree of density, porcelain is more durable than ceramics but it also costs more because of the processing involved in producing the material.
Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile: Major Differences
The Tile Council of North America handles what material qualifies as porcelain or ceramic and have strict standards for water absorption that a tile must meet to meet the criteria. It can be difficult to differentiate between ceramic tile and porcelain tile, since they both typically have a glazed surface.
Appearance
Glazed ceramic tile and porcelain can be difficult to tell apart by sight, as both are often given a glossy finish.
Porcelain Tile
The advancements made in porcelain tile manufacturing technology allow them to be created to resemble other materials. Porcelain tiles that have an incredibly accurate resemblance to materials such as marble and wood grain can be found. Porcelain tile is an ideal option if you want a wood-like look for a room but no risk of water damage.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile that does not belong in the porcelain category typically has one solid color, although there are still ceramic tiles with designs resembling wood grain and natural stone.
- Best for Appearance: Porcelain Tile
Water and Heat Resistance
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain is a better pick than ceramic tile for outdoor places as it is more solid, heavier, and can tolerate water better. However, it is recommended to utilize porcelain tile only in temperate climates. Porcelain tile is particularly resistant to high temperatures, making it a great option for use as a counter top.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is slightly more vulnerable to moisture coming in, though the distinction is negligible if it is finished with glazing. As long as the glaze on the ceramic tile is intact and undamaged, the tile will be waterproof.
The parts of the tile without a glaze will not be able to hold back water. The bottom of ceramic tile, when embedded in thinset mortar, typically does not come into contact with water. The grout filled in the sides of the tile should not allow any water to get inside.
Countertops made from ceramic tile have remarkable heat tolerance, making them a well suited option.
- Best for Water and Heat Resistance: Porcelain Tile
Care and Cleaning
Porcelain Tile
It is simple to clean porcelain tile with a mix of water and soap, using a damp mop. The grout between the tiles that has been filled with cement must be sealed on a regular basis to protect it from discoloration and mold.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile requires the same level of upkeep as regular tile—regular damp mopping and occasionally sealing the spaces between tiles.
- Best for Care and Cleaning: Tied
Durability and Maintenance
Porcelain Tile
Ceramic clays are not as tightly packed and are more porous than porcelain clays. Porcelain tile is tougher and more waterproof than ceramic tile because of this. Because it is a single piece throughout its construction, it is deemed more resilient and able to withstand greater levels of activity than ceramic tile. Shattering a porcelain tile will leave little evidence of destruction since the colouring stays consistent throughout its depth. Periodic sealing of the grout lines is all that is necessary to keep up with the maintenance of porcelain.
Ceramic Tile
Breaking a ceramic tile reveals a shade other than the top glaze and thus, any chips to the tile should be noticeable. The clays used for ceramic tile are less dense than porcelain clays, which means ceramic tiles are somewhat more prone to cracking and breaking. Sealants may be necessary to be applied to the entire unglazed ceramic tile area, not only the joints between tiles.
- Best for Durability and Maintenance: Porcelain Tile
Installation
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tiles have a tendency to be somewhat fragile, thus a knowledgeable tile-setter should be consulted so that the material is cut properly. A wet tile saw is the advised instrument to use when cutting porcelain while a reasonably priced snap cutter is usually sufficient for ceramic tile.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is not as tough as porcelain tile, however it is simpler for amateur homeowners to cut by hand, with a wet tile saw, or with a snap tile cutter.
- Best for Installation: Ceramic Tile
Cost
Porcelain Tile
It costs more to make porcelain than ceramic tile, and consequently, they are more costly to buy. Porcelain tiles cost anywhere from $3 to $35 per square foot.
Ceramic Tile
With all other things being the same, ceramic tiles are more cost-effective than porcelain tiles. Typically, ceramic tile costs about two-thirds of the amount of porcelain tile. Ceramics are available for varying prices, starting at fifty cents a square foot going up to thirty-five dollars per square foot. Finding strategies to cut costs when purchasing tile on the internet is possible.
- Best for Cost: Ceramic Tile
Lifespan
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain is tougher and more resilient to wear than ceramic tile, but its robustness could also render it more vulnerable to breaking when a building is moving structurally.
Ceramic Tile
It is said that a ceramic tile flooring can last a lengthy period of time, somewhere between 75 and 100 years, if the grout is kept in good shape and safeguarded frequently. In theory, ceramics is not as strong and will not last as long as porcelain tile, but it is more capable of withstanding movement in the foundation and therefore likely to resist cracking better than porcelain tile.
- Best for Lifespan: Tied
Differences in Composition
The primary distinction between ceramic and porcelain lies in their chemical makeup. Porcelain is created through a combination of clay, feldspar, silica, and other elements, while ceramic is made using clay, sand, and other components. The different characteristics of these two materials make them suitable for opposite applications. Let’s take a look at the differences in composition between ceramic and porcelain:
- Porcelain is made from a mixture of clay, feldspar, silica, and other minerals.
- Ceramic is made from clay, sand, and other materials.
Difference in Clay Composition
Both porcelain and ceramic are man-made items made of ceramic materials, but what sets them apart is what type of clay is used in the production of them. Porcelain is typically produced from kaolin clay, which is a fine-grained substance, whereas ceramics are generally composed of earthenware, which is a comparatively coarse-grained material.
The varying composition of clay results in different qualities in porcelain and ceramic items.
- Porcelain is highly durable while still being lightweight and non-porous, making it resistant to staining, scratching, cracks, warping and heat. It’s also non-reactive with food and beverages, meaning it won’t pick up odor or discolor easily. Its elegant appearance makes porcelain perfect for formal dinnerware sets as well as decorative accents in home decor.
- Ceramics have a more rustic appearance due to their earthenware base (usually clay with sand or grog). Earthenware ceramics are light enough to make dishes with intricate shapes or designs, but they tend to be less durable than porcelain pieces. Ceramic items can easily break when dropped or exposed to a great deal of heat or water. However, thicker pieces can last for years if treated properly – which makes them ideal for serving bowls or garden vessels.
Difference in Glaze Composition
The main distinction between ceramic and porcelain items is the composition of the glaze that covers them. Both materials are made from clay, quartz and feldspar. Porcelain can be set apart from ceramic due to its compressed composition and finer specks that enable a smooth exterior and more precise designs after the firing process. It is not as absorbent as ceramic, so it is better at retaining moisture, making it a suitable choice for areas with a lot of foot traffic or commercial locations.
The essential contrast between porcelain and ceramic revolves around the various minerals utilized during their fabrication process. In general, porcelain products have kaolin clay in them, which makes them more robust than other ceramic items such as earthenware or stoneware. The minerals iron and manganese are blended into varying amounts throughout production to safeguard uniformity and to give it a polished look when it is subjected to heat. The composition of glazes fluctuates – porcelain is typically come with feldspar, whereas ceramics may deviate from that and contain different minerals, like for example, iron oxide, for achieving a certain color within very special items. Some businesses use waxes, resins and polymers as coatings on some kinds of ceramic to increase their performance.
Difference in Availability
The accessibility of ceramic and porcelain products will vary depending on what they are meant to be used for and can be bought at a selection of stores and e-commerce sites. Ceramic tile is an exceedingly widespread use of ceramic material and can be seen virtually everywhere. Porcelain tile, though, may prove to be harder to obtain since it is not employed as frequently in residential dwellings as ceramic tile.
Porcelain is not regularly used in the home in such areas as countertops, table settings and place settings, mainly because of the higher cost of their manufacturing compared to traditional clay products. Porcelain items usually command a higher price tag than other ceramic items because of the extra labor that goes into making them and extra care that needs to be taken to prevent them from deteriorating.
The Verdict
It is difficult to decide which is better, ceramic tile or porcelain tile. Both are analogous materials for construction, and all varieties are functional for usage as a flooring material, wall covering, or countertop.
It is important to ensure that the tile you pick has been constructed and rated for the use you intend it for (usually, tiles designed for flooring are thicker, and the design should indicate that it is suitable for this purpose). In the end, the decision between ceramic or porcelain tile is simply a matter of which look you prefer.
Porcelain tile is usually desired for its resilience and array of uses, yet what type of tile to select depends on the particular area where it will be employed.
