Difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles

What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles?

Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are produced the same way but the difference can be attributed to the pressing and firing process which renders the porcelain tile a superior product. The characteristics of porcelain tiles are denser, hard wearing and less porous with a very low absorption rate of less 0.05% compared to ceramic absorption rate of 5% or less.

Porcelain tiles are generally not glazed over and color runs right through them to be polished, honed or produced in a natural finish. Ceramic tiles on the other hand are almost always finished with a durable glaze which carries the color and pattern.

As Porcelain tiles do not have this protective glaze, most of these tiles require special maintenance. See ‘Caring for my Tiles’ for assistance

Porcelain tiles can be used in almost any application internal and external and are available in many finishes and sizes in the same series and color formats. A high percentage of new home buyers and renovators will choose a porcelain tile due to its strength and beauty.

Ceramic tiles are low maintenance, are available in an endless color range and are produced at a low cost. More suitable for use in domestic areas. If chipping occurs, it may be noticeable, due to the interior of the tile being colored differently.

Hybrid option – Glazed porcelain. Popular for time-conscious builders and home owners.

For Further information please see – terms and definitions of each category of tile available at National Tiles.

What is double loaded porcelain?

Double-loaded porcelain is manufactured with two layers of porcelain pressed together and fired. The top layer (approx 2-5mm thick) and base porcelain are pressed together under high pressure. The top layer is made up of porcelain clays that have been randomly infused with various dyes, which create a beautiful range of color combinations and patterns replicating that of natural stones. National Tiles has a range of double-loaded porcelain tiles which range in price and design.

Do glossy tiles have to be porcelain?

Both ceramic and porcelain are available with a high reflection. Glazed ceramics and porcelains are referred to as gloss whilst full bodied or double loaded porcelains are referred to as polished. The name for the type of reflection indicates the method by which it is achieved.

‘Gloss’ refers to the type of glaze used.
‘Polished’ refers to after manufacturing the tile, the product is mechanically polished to make it reflective.

What is glaze?

Glaze is made up of ground glass and color pigments which are used to create unique designs. It’s a surface covering that is vitrified by firing and strongly adhered to the ceramic or porcelain body tile.

Can glossy tiles be used on wet floor areas?

For commercial application it is necessary that all materials comply with relevant standards. Domestically there is more scope for you as the consumer to make up your own mind based on practical information and your needs and wants. Certainly a polished porcelain or gloss glazed ceramic and porcelain tile is more slippery than natural porcelain or a matt glazed ceramic or porcelain tile.

Below are some of the points to consider when deciding if a polished or gloss floor tile is suitable for your project.

Do you have any one in the home who requires care? Moving around showering etc can be more difficult and dangerous on a reflective floor.
How stable are you on your feet?
Do you get ready for work in the morning in socks or stockings?

Giving thought as to how you live and who will be living on the new floor both now and into the future will help you make the right decision regarding the appropriate finish for you.

What are economy grade tiles?

Economy grade tiles are generally priced in the cheapest price bracket as they are a mixture of first and second quality product graded at the time of manufacture by the factory. In most cases people buying economy graded tiles should expect some slight color and size variations along with some small surface imperfections. Laid using some basic knowledge the end result will still look great.

What are the most common shapes of tiles?

National Tiles stocks the most popular shapes of tiles which are square and rectangular but you can also find tiles that are hexagonal and octagonal.

The most common lay types?

The 4 most popular ways to lay your tiles are:

Brick bond (not recommended for tile sizes larger than 300×600 due to the natural cupping and bowing of the tiles during firing)
Stacked
Diamond Lay
Herringbone (not recommended for tile sizes larger than 300×600 due to the natural cupping and bowing of the tiles during firing)

If you are using a Diamond Lay pattern we suggest you order 15% more tiles and 10% for all other layouts due to the amount of wastage in cuts and breakages.

What is a rectified tile? Why do tilers charge more to lay these?

A rectified tile is a tile that has been cut after manufacturing to ensure that it is truly square. For example if you can imagine a gloss white wall ceramic tile manufactured at 305×610, all of the tiles in this production batch would be re-cut to 300×600 at the same time to ensure that they are all the same size and are truly square.

The reason why tilers charge more to lay a rectified tile is that typically they are laid at 1.5mm spacing this provides a beautiful finish but is more difficult to lay. The wider the grout lines the more room for movement when laying the tiles. If the tiles are rectified and the grout line at the minimum 1.5mm then the tiler must ensure that the substrate is as level and perfect as possible, the thinner grout lines also mean that there is less room for error. This is time consuming and the additional care and time is reflected in the installation rate.