Ceramic vs Porcelain: Which One is Best

News

Aug 13, 2021

When it comes to tiles, porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles appear more often, than not, together or against each other. Sometimes, they are even interchanged as if they were the same as one another. There is even this unspoken debate about which one is better than the other.

So, to put it to rest, we decided to list down the pros and cons of each other to compare them together and get to the bottom of it. Here’s what we have to say about the matter.

Ceramic: Pros

Easier to handle and is great for DIY projects as they are easier to cut and install
Cheaper compared to porcelain so it’s perfect for a large floor area
Comes in a variety of colors and patterns that will fit any design concept
Can survive a for a long time on light foot traffic areas

Ceramic: Cons

Absorbs 0.5% of water on the surface if not wiped off immediately (The Spruce, 2021)
Only good for indoor usage
Chips are more noticeable due to the underlying clay source color

Porcelain: Pros

Harder than ceramic tiles due to being heated to a higher temperature
Can survive even with a really heavy foot traffic
Can be used for both exterior and interior designs
Absorbs less than 0.5% water or moisture on the surface so it’s great for moisture prone areas like kitchens or bathrooms (The Spruce, 2021)
Chips are not noticeable right away due to through and through color

Porcelain: Cons

More expensive than ceramic tiles
Comes in solid colors mostly so there are only limited options
Needs professionals to install as it’s not easy to cut
More brittle than ceramic tiles

Though they might look almost the same, there are some differences between ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles. Choosing the right one is just a matter of need and want to have for the design.