The Thrifty Apartment
Selecting the right floor tile for your home can be challenging. From the design to the look and feel to its durability, these choices must be considered when choosing tile.
Ceramic & porcelain tiles are two common choices that people often confuse because both materials have similarities and, quite frankly, a strong resemblance to each other.
Let's get into the major differences between the two types of tiles.
DURABILITY Porcelain tile is known to be more durable than ceramic. It highly resistant to chips, cracks, and scratches, ensuring longevity. Both types of flooring can last for decades
APPEARANCE Porcelain looks rich, high-end, and a bit smoother in person than ceramic. Porcelain floor tiles are denser and less porous compared to ceramic tiles.
PRICING Ceramic tiles are cheaper than porcelain tiles. While the price of either tile can vary depending on design, size, and manufacturer, on average, ceramic tiles have a lower starting point than porcelain tiles. Prices for ceramic tiles start under $1, and porcelain tiles start around $3.
THE WAY IT'S MADE Ceramic tiles are created using coarser slabs of clay, while porcelain is made with high-quality clay. Ceramic tiles undergo firing at a lower temperature, while porcelain experiences more extreme temperatures.
AVAILABILITY Ceramic tiles are usually available in abundance in department stores with Very few stores carrying porcelain. Porcelain tile design options are often limited compared to ceramic tiles.