Ultimate Guide to Choosing Tiles: Ceramic vs Porcelain for Your Home
Embarking on a home renovation project and puzzled over choosing between ceramic and porcelain tiles? You’re not alone. Many homeowners find themselves in a tile quandary. This guide is here to demystify the differences, helping you make a choice that complements your home and lifestyle.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles: More Similar Than You Think
Despite popular belief, distinguishing between ceramic and porcelain tiles is not straightforward. Both are made from fired clay and offer a variety of designs. The significant differences lie in their density and moisture absorption rates, influencing their suitability for different environments.
The Nitty-Gritty of Porcelain Tiles (H2): U.S. Certified Porcelain: What Does it Mean?
When it comes to porcelain tiles, look for the U.S. certification mark. This ensures that the tile meets specific density and moisture absorption standards, making it a robust choice for high-traffic areas or outdoor use.
Ceramic Tiles: Not Just a Second Option
Advancements in Ceramic Tile Technology
Modern ceramic tiles have come a long way, now offering enhanced strength and aesthetic appeal. With improved manufacturing techniques, they stand as a viable option for various home applications, often rivaling their porcelain counterparts.
Misconceptions Cleared: Color-Through in Tiles
It’s a common myth that porcelain tiles are color-through, meaning the color runs through the entire tile. However, both ceramic and porcelain are generally glazed on the surface, not color-through.
Practical Tips for Tile Selection
Feel the Difference: Weight as a Quality Indicator
A simple yet effective way to gauge tile quality is by comparing their weight. Denser tiles, typically porcelain, will be heavier than their ceramic counterparts of the same size.
Rectified Tiles for Sleeker Joints
If you desire smaller grout joints, consider rectified tiles. These tiles have square edges, allowing them to fit closely together. Remember to adhere to the manufacturer’s grout joint recommendations to avoid installation issues.
The choice between ceramic and porcelain tiles boils down to your specific needs and aesthetic preferences. Both offer durability and style for your home. Focus on what appeals to you visually and fits your lifestyle, rather than getting caught up in technicalities.
This video is designed to give you a basic understanding of the differences between porcelain and ceramic tiles. There are a lot of misconceptions regarding what these products are and how they will perform.
One of the biggest myths I find shoppers have is that porcelain tiles are the same color all the way through while ceramics are not. If you flip over the back of most tiles, you will notice that whether it is a porcelain or ceramic it is not the same as the glaze on the top of tile. Unless you are dealing with a through-body/color body porcelain, the majority of your man made products are glazed with a different color in the actually tile.
Another major myth is that porcelain is better than ceramic. Though a true certified porcelain is the superior strength product, the problem is a lot of products that are marked as porcelains do not actually meet the standards by which we certify such tiles. This is most typical with products that are made in China, but I do show you in this video the exact mark you want to look for to verify a product truly is a certified porcelain tile.
The great news in shopping for tile today is that all products have improved dramatically and you don’t have to buy the top of the line options to get a great looking product. The reality is that in most instances, you will spend more on the installation than on the product, and that will ultimately make the biggest impact on how the final results look.
Please be sure to drop any questions you may have in the comments section below and thanks for stopping by. If you liked this video, be sure to hit the like button for me and subscribe if you’d like to see more!
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4:41 Density
5:50 Do You Need Porcelain
13:02 Recap
