Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile: A Five-Scenario Showdown
Explore where and why one of these popular tile choices makes more sense than the other
Sam Ferris
August 21, 2020
Houzz Contributor. I have more than seven years of experience in the design industry, including residential renovation, cabinet, and flooring design. I currently work for RVK Architecture, a professional design firm that delivers successful architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture solutions to public and private clients.
Houzz Contributor. I have more than seven years of experience in the design industry,... More
All tile is created equal, right? Not quite. Porcelain and ceramic may belong to the same family, but they’re two slightly different products. One may be more advantageous than the other depending on where you’re installing it. Here we pose five scenarios and explain whether porcelain or ceramic is the better choice.
But before we walk through each scenario, let’s note the key difference between porcelain and ceramic tile. Though they’re manufactured with different types of clay, the Tile Council of North America defines porcelain in terms of water absorption. Specifically, porcelain tiles absorb less than 0.5% of water. Ceramic and other non-porcelain tiles absorb more than 0.5% water.
But before we walk through each scenario, let’s note the key difference between porcelain and ceramic tile. Though they’re manufactured with different types of clay, the Tile Council of North America defines porcelain in terms of water absorption. Specifically, porcelain tiles absorb less than 0.5% of water. Ceramic and other non-porcelain tiles absorb more than 0.5% water.
Scenario 1: You’re installing tile in a room with high moisture content.
The best pick: Porcelain
Remember, the TCNA defines porcelain as tile that absorbs less than 0.5% of moisture. Why doesn’t porcelain absorb much moisture? According to the TCNA, porcelain is naturally dense, which means it’s harder to penetrate. In other words, it’s nearly waterproof. This property makes porcelain a no-brainer for bathroom installations, as well as other areas of your home that are exposed to moisture.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that ceramic is a bad choice for bathrooms. In fact, many homeowners install ceramic in their showers and on their bathroom floors. However, porcelain’s impermeability will ensure you have the best protection against moisture.
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The best pick: Porcelain
Remember, the TCNA defines porcelain as tile that absorbs less than 0.5% of moisture. Why doesn’t porcelain absorb much moisture? According to the TCNA, porcelain is naturally dense, which means it’s harder to penetrate. In other words, it’s nearly waterproof. This property makes porcelain a no-brainer for bathroom installations, as well as other areas of your home that are exposed to moisture.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that ceramic is a bad choice for bathrooms. In fact, many homeowners install ceramic in their showers and on their bathroom floors. However, porcelain’s impermeability will ensure you have the best protection against moisture.
Browse porcelain wall and floor tiles in the Houzz Shop
Kitchens can also be considered wet zones due to liquids encountered during food prep and clean up, as well as the presence of your sink and dishwasher. You may feel more comfortable with porcelain flooring to withstand spills and leaks.
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Mudrooms usually bear the brunt of the dirty shoes and feet that enter your home daily. Porcelain is built to withstand exposure to moisture from rain, sleet or snow. You may also prefer porcelain in your laundry room in the event your washer leaks.
Scenario 2: You’re on a budget.
The best pick: Ceramic
Not all porcelain tile is costly, but if you shop around long enough, you’ll start to notice a trend: It’s generally more expensive than ceramic is. If you’re on a tight budget, ceramic will fit the bill. It’s difficult to find a quality porcelain tile under $3 per square foot; high-end porcelain tile will easily surpass $5 per square foot. Ceramic, on the other hand, seldom costs more than $4 per square foot, and there are plenty of affordable styles under $2 per square foot.
Browse ceramic wall and floor tiles
The best pick: Ceramic
Not all porcelain tile is costly, but if you shop around long enough, you’ll start to notice a trend: It’s generally more expensive than ceramic is. If you’re on a tight budget, ceramic will fit the bill. It’s difficult to find a quality porcelain tile under $3 per square foot; high-end porcelain tile will easily surpass $5 per square foot. Ceramic, on the other hand, seldom costs more than $4 per square foot, and there are plenty of affordable styles under $2 per square foot.
Browse ceramic wall and floor tiles
Budget doesn’t mean passé when it comes to ceramic tile. Fortunately, you can still find ceramic tiles that showcase the latest industry trends, such as wood-look tile.
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Scenario 3: You’re installing tile in a space with high foot traffic.
The best pick: Porcelain
Both ceramic and porcelain excel in high-traffic areas in comparison with other flooring types (such as hardwood, laminate and carpet). But porcelain is a denser tile, and as a result it offers better long-term resistance to scuffs and scratches. Through-body porcelain, where the color on top of the tile goes all the way throughout the tile’s body, is especially scratch resistant. Living rooms and hallways are two of the perfect places to install porcelain. Households with children and pets will appreciate porcelain’s durability.
The best pick: Porcelain
Both ceramic and porcelain excel in high-traffic areas in comparison with other flooring types (such as hardwood, laminate and carpet). But porcelain is a denser tile, and as a result it offers better long-term resistance to scuffs and scratches. Through-body porcelain, where the color on top of the tile goes all the way throughout the tile’s body, is especially scratch resistant. Living rooms and hallways are two of the perfect places to install porcelain. Households with children and pets will appreciate porcelain’s durability.
As the heart of the home, kitchens experience a fair share of foot traffic too. If your cooking space is your home’s social hub and a common gathering place for your family and guests, porcelain is the best option.
Scenario 4: You’re a DIY aficionado.
The best pick: Ceramic
Density isn’t always a perk. Ceramic is easier to cut and install than porcelain is. According to the TCNA, non-porcelain tiles are easier to affix to the floor than porcelain tile. If you’re planning to install tile yourself, especially in a situation where many cuts are required, you could find yourself in hot water. The job could quickly turn sloppy, and you may dish out more money to have a pro correct your mistakes.
The best pick: Ceramic
Density isn’t always a perk. Ceramic is easier to cut and install than porcelain is. According to the TCNA, non-porcelain tiles are easier to affix to the floor than porcelain tile. If you’re planning to install tile yourself, especially in a situation where many cuts are required, you could find yourself in hot water. The job could quickly turn sloppy, and you may dish out more money to have a pro correct your mistakes.
Scenario 5: You’re remodeling your patio floors.
The best pick: Porcelain
When it comes to patio flooring, the great outdoors can be unforgiving. This is another scenario where porcelain’s impermeability wins. When ceramic tile freezes, it absorbs moisture. This causes ceramic to expand and break. You could be looking at a flooring replacement much sooner than expected.
If you live in an area that is prone to hard freezes, ceramic tile is out of the question for an outdoor space. If you live in a climate where freezes are occasional or uncommon, ceramic is risky at best. Carefully weigh your decision when deciding between porcelain or ceramic.
The best pick: Porcelain
When it comes to patio flooring, the great outdoors can be unforgiving. This is another scenario where porcelain’s impermeability wins. When ceramic tile freezes, it absorbs moisture. This causes ceramic to expand and break. You could be looking at a flooring replacement much sooner than expected.
If you live in an area that is prone to hard freezes, ceramic tile is out of the question for an outdoor space. If you live in a climate where freezes are occasional or uncommon, ceramic is risky at best. Carefully weigh your decision when deciding between porcelain or ceramic.
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About prices, about being cheaper to buy in Italy or elsewhere, e-commerce is coming for tiles too. Shipping is not that much. At the very end, it is matter of some dozens of square meters for a walls and floors for life. How many thousands of USD/Euro do we spend in our lives to change pc or in other technologies which are not for life? Tiles should be chosen basing on use destination and aesthetic. You must like them “for life”. Worth spending the right price. About porcelain and ceramic, there are 1st choice, commercial choice in both of them...what really matters, is aesthetic: certain colours, certain glazes need a specific process. You will never have an industrial deep red porcelain tile☺️. You can only have it by artisanal process. Ask experts why☺️
Then, technically, let’s say that the pavement of a subway with millions of people walking every day is not the same as of private house. Therefore, in terms of technical parameters, for private residential use, just get relaxed. A few kids jumping up and down or some furniture to be moved left and right or some dishes crashing on the floor will never impact as billions of people in a subway ☺️
Tile vs ceramic