Advantages of Using Ceramic Tiles Over Other Types of Flooring
So what is the difference between porcelain and ceramic? While porcelain is generally made from a combination of clays, feldspar, and sand, porcelain is made of a single mixture of these ingredients. Another key difference: high temperatures are typically used to blast porcelain rather than ceramic. These differences in the way that the surfacing compounds are created ultimately influence their physical properties. The surface of porcelain is more prone to scratches and stains while ceramic is less so. This is due to the extreme heat used during manufacturing, but it is also because of the lack of a porous structure.
Porcelain and ceramic tile are similar in many ways. They both use the same material – sand – to create the tile. They both can be installed over concrete and they both have similar slip resistance qualities. What makes the porcelain and ceramic different is that porcelain is much more porous and more durable. The tile, on the other hand, is more fragile and more susceptible to damage.
Since porcelain has a higher density and lower water absorption than clay (which is why it’s commonly used for roofing and flooring surfaces), it is far more durable. Porcelain is also much more stain resistant than ceramic tile. Ceramic tile is also much less porous than porcelain, which allows more water absorption. That said, it is still susceptible to staining by oil, grease and dust. Also, this material is not as durable as clay since it is stiff and lacks a smooth surface.
Porcelain Tiles – An Impressive Flooring OptionPorcelain Floor Tiles
When compared to ceramic, porcelain tiles are lighter weight. This makes them easier to move around when renovating an older home or remodeling an old building. Also, because porcelain tiles are made of thicker and more durable material than ceramic tiles, they do not need to be re-pointed as often. As a result, they cost less to replace. Porcelain is also a very good insulator against temperature changes.
The key difference between these two materials also comes into play during the rainy season. Porcelain tiles are far more durable in the event that they are affected by water because they are dense and don’t break down as easily. Ceramic tiles are porous and lose their luster and color when wet. Therefore, you would not want to use them in high levels of moisture where they would not stand a chance of surviving. If you are going to install porcelains or ceramic tiles in high levels of moisture, you might consider using other options that can handle the moisture without degrading.
The key difference between porcelain tiles and white clay or feldspar is that porcelain tiles are more resilient. While they are more difficult to work with because of their low density, they are still extremely resistant. Additionally, they are waterproof which makes them very practical in humid areas such as bathrooms and swimming pools. You can purchase porcelains that have similar characteristics to white clay at a much lower price. You will pay a little bit more for them, however the trade off for durability and less color distortion is well worth the extra cost.
