QUESTION

Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile: Could you please send me by email the details on ceramic and porcelain tiles and the features of product difference?

ANSWER

ANSWER - Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile.

Ceramic tile is a clay body tile that is a composition of water and clay or a mixture of clay and other ceramic materials mined from our earth that naturally come in different, but limited colors. The ceramic tile is fired (heated) in a kiln (oven) to make it hard.

Porcelain body – is a composition of ultra purified, highly ground kaolin clays with silica and feldspar additives that provide an impervious clay body. It can be made in many colors, but is typically a naturally white color clay.

Ceramic tile is usually categorized by its absorption rate which is relative to the tile's density. Porcelain tile is considered impervious (1/2% or less absorption).

Many ceramic tiles for floors are vitreous (3% or less absorption, but greater than 1/2% absorption) or semi-vitreous (7% or less absorption, but greater than 3% absorption)or non-vitreous (greater than 7% absorption).

There are aesthetic looks and various performances in some types of tile that you can't achieve with other types of tile. So it isn't that one type of tile is better than another, but rather they are different and one may be more suitable for one application versus another.

It is best to check with the manufacturer or distributor of the tile to make sure it is suitable for your application, and then select the tile that best meets your design needs Good Luck!