Ceramic Tile Compared To Porcelain Tile

Ceramic tile can be slightly more prone to water infiltration than is porcelain tile though these differences are fairly minimal if the ceramic tile is glazed.

Ceramic tile compared to porcelain tile.

Ceramic tile is fired at lower temperatures generally no more than 1 650 degrees fahrenheit. The clays used in porcelain tend to have fewer impurities than clays used in ceramic tiles and have more kaolin and feldspar. This ultimately results in a denser and more durable tile. Both tiles are made from a clay mixture that s fired in a kiln but porcelain tile is made from more refined clay and it s fired at higher temperatures.

If you chip a porcelain tile no change in color occurs. Ceramic tiles come in far more colors and sizes than porcelain ranging from inch mosaic to 16 inch or larger tiles. According to the astm standards porcelain must have a water absorption rate of 0 5 percent or lower. Porcelain comes in mosaics but usually starts at 2 inches in size skips up to 6 or 8 inches then 12 inches.

The major difference between porcelain tile and ceramic tile is how it s made. It may eventually reach square sizes of 36 or 48 inches. Porcelain tile is almost impervious to water compared to ceramic tile.