Porcelain Tiles Vs. Ceramic Tiles: Understanding the Difference

Porcelain and ceramics are both part of the big class of tiles known as ceramics and both terms are commonly used interchangeably. Porcelains is also often referred to by its Italian name; porcellana, which means cowrie shell. China is mentioned to be well known for the beauty of porcelain which has a characteristic white, translucent, fine and dense makeup.Porcelain and ceramics have different makeups but they have similar functions with the porcelain being more impervious to water than the ceramics. Porcelains are higher in price compared to the ceramics owing to several differences between the two put forward by sellers of these products. Certifications from manufacturers have been helpful to buyers to make a choice of tiles with good quality aside its importance in the protection of manufacturer’s interest. The major differences between ceramics and porcelains are outlined as follows:

• Porcelains are more impervious to water:

The American society for testing and materials (ASTM) defined a water absorption rate of 0 for porcelain. Fired tiles are first weighed, boiled and allowed to soak in waters for a day and if there is a weight gain due to its surface absorbing water, it is termed porcelain. Porcelains have a purer form than ceramics and usually contain more kaolin.

• Porcelain have a certified name:

 The authenticity of a tile to be porcelain is mostly a function of certification for manufacturers. The Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA) require a tile to meet those with ASTM C373  standard of water absorption by examination of five tile sample submitted by a manufacturer for its quality and standard. After being found to meet requirement, an agreement and certification is given which is renewed every three years.

• Porcelain can be used for exterior functions:

The impervious nature of ceramics makes it suitable for external usage whereas the ceramics are not usually durable for that purpose because of its absorptive rate and its tendency to crack in an environment which freezes.

• Porcelain is less dense:

The Porcelain tiles are harder and less porous than the ceramics which makes them denser than ceramic tiles.

• Porcelains are more durable:

Porcelains are designed for heavy usage and there is uniformity in coloration throughout the chip, especially when gotten fro reliabel brands like Carreaux Metro ceramic tiles. Although both porcelains and ceramics are subjected to fire, the porcelains pass through higher temperature for a longer period and also have higher feldspar content.