Ceramic Tile Vs Porcelain Tile Flooring

Tile often will mimic the look of stone but a recent innovation is tile that looks surprisingly like wood.

Ceramic tile vs porcelain tile flooring.

Porcelain tile has the same comfort convenience profile as standard ceramic tile namely that its durability comes at the price of a cold hardness that is less pleasing than many other flooring materials. This refers to either ceramic or porcelain tile a clay product fired in ovens until it is rock hard. Ceramic tile is not as durable as porcelain and homeowners must clear away spills quickly due to its relatively high absorption rate. Porcelain floor tile is harder and denser.

Ceramic tile tile defined as ceramic uses a coarser clay with a smaller ratio of fine kaolin clay and it generally lacks some of the additives used in porcelain clay. Daltile is america s leader in porcelain tile natural stone and the world s leading manufacturer of ceramic tile. Porcelain is a particular category of ceramic tile. Ceramic floor tiles however tend to have a softer surface.

Porcelain tiles are made from finer clays and are fired at higher temperatures to make them harder and more durable. Ceramic tile is made from natural earth clays mixed with other materials covered with a surface glaze and fired in ovens to harden them. It s best to avoid using ceramic tile in areas often exposed. The main difference between a porcelain and ceramic tile is the rate of water they absorb.

Ceramic tile is fired at lower temperatures generally no more than 1 650 degrees fahrenheit. Porcelain tiles absorb less than 0 5 of water whilst ceramic and other non porcelain tiles will absorb more. Porcelain ceramic made of feldspar is harder and more stain resistant than non porcelain ceramic tile made only of clay. The clay is denser and so less porous.

They are more comfortable to walk on than porcelain. Unlike tile laminate flooring is susceptible to moisture damage. It s useful in high traffic areas such as kitchens mudrooms hallways and living areas. Established over 70 years ago in dallas texas 70 of our collections are proudly made in the usa.

Many users soften porcelain tile floors through the use of area rugs. This is down to the stuff used to make porcelain tiles.