Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile: How to Choose the Best Type for You

When considering porcelain vs. ceramic tile, both tiles look similar and fall into the ceramics category: rigid tiles created from natural earthen clays and hardened by heat. Porcelain is more durable and water resistant but ceramic is easier to install and more affordable. Porcelain may sometimes be costlier than ceramic tile because of its finer clay and higher firing temperatures though often you can find both types of tile at similar prices. Learn more about ceramic vs. porcelain tile and when to use them in your home.

What Is Porcelain Tile?

Porcelain tile is a dense, smooth-faced, kaolin-rich tile with a lower water absorption rate than ceramic tile, making some porcelain suitable for outdoor use in mild climates. (Look for low-absorption porcelain tile awarded a PTCA Certification Mark from the Porcelain Tile Certification Agency.) The clay mixture in porcelain tile is more refined than ceramic clays. The tiles are fired at temperatures ranging from 2,200°F to 2,500°F. Porcelain is sometimes a higher-cost tile with a narrow selection of certified products.

What Is Ceramic Tile?

Ceramic tile is a clay-based, heat-hardened tile, often glazed on top for protection and water resistance but the unglazed back or sides will not resist moisture. The tile is made with a coarser clay mix than porcelain and includes a low ratio of fine kaolin. Ceramic tile is fired at lower temperatures than porcelain tile, generally about 1,800°F to 2,000°F. Ceramic tile is sometimes less expensive than porcelain because of how it is manufactured.

Appearance

Porcelain and ceramic tile typically look alike so they are difficult to tell apart except for the packaging. The bodies of both tiles may look the same but there are differences.

• Porcelain tile: Boxes of porcelain tiles will display the PTCA Certification Mark. The green and gray logo reads "Certified Porcelain Tile 0.5% Water Absorption," with a diamond-shaped tile forming the "O" of porcelain. Or check The Porcelain Tile Certification Agency's list of certified product lines. Porcelain tile has a smooth back, is slightly heavier than ceramic, and has uniform coloration throughout the body.
• Ceramic tile: Ceramic tile packaging does not have certification badges. Turn over a ceramic tile: It will feel slightly coarser and lighter than porcelain. If the piece is chipped, you may spot varied colorations inside the body of a ceramic tile.

Durability

Porcelain tiles are stronger and more durable than ceramic tiles. Chips in porcelain are also less visible. Unsanded grout with either type of tile should be periodically sealed to guard against stains and mildew. Here are more differences in durability:

• Porcelain tile: Dense clay is less porous which makes porcelain tile harder and more impervious to moisture than ceramic tile, however, it is also more brittle.
• Ceramic tile: Less dense clays mean ceramic tiles are more prone to cracking and breaking. Sealers should be applied to the entire unglazed ceramic tile, not just the grout lines.

Water Resistance

Both porcelain and ceramic tile resist water to varying degrees and it's a confusing subject which led to the development of the PTCA certification program in 2007.

• Porcelain tile: Porcelain tiles are not waterproof but they are considered to be impervious (water-resistant). Impervious means that the tile meets or exceeds testing standards: it absorbs no more than an additional 0.5% of its weight after being boiled for five hours and left to soak for 24 hours. However, the glazed tops of porcelain tiles are considered waterproof.
• Ceramic tile: Because ceramic tiles are not as dense as porcelain, they will absorb more than 0.5% water.

Cost  

Ceramic tiles are sometimes less expensive than porcelain tiles but often you will see them at similar price points. Many factors affect the pricing of porcelain and ceramic tile, including country of origin, design quality, materials used in the manufacturing process, tile class (indicating where it can be used), and whether it's impervious, vitreous, or non-vitreous (absorbency).

• Porcelain tile: Porcelain tile's higher cost comes from raw materials, special manufacturing equipment, stringent testing standards, and high energy demands from high firing temperatures.
  
• Ceramic tile: Ceramic tile can sometimes cost about 60% to 70% less than porcelain tile.

Heat Resistance

Both porcelain and ceramic tile resist heat well and are sometimes used on countertops because of this characteristic.

• Porcelain tile: Since porcelain is dense, it is less prone to cracking under excessive heat.
• Ceramic tile: Because ceramic tile is less dense than porcelain, it is more likely to crack or become damaged under extreme heat.

Installation

Both porcelain and ceramic tiles are installed using the same method. Tiles are adhered to an underlayment of cement board using a mortar-based thin-set adhesive. Once the tiles are set, the joints between tiles are filled with mortar-based grout, which you can seal against moisture once it dries with a grout sealer.

• Porcelain tile: A wet tile saw and other specialty tools are recommended for cutting and installing porcelain tile because of its brittle nature.
• Ceramic tile: This tile is easier to cut and install than porcelain tile.

Uses

Both types of tile are used indoors. However, porcelain's density gives it more of an outdoor advantage but only in limited climates.

• Porcelain: Porcelain absorbs less water than ceramic tile, making it more likely to be suitable for outdoor locations in regions with mild climates. It is not recommended for extremely wet environments or areas experiencing freeze/thaw cycles. In general, porcelain tile fares better for bathroom flooring and other high-traffic areas, such as mudrooms.
• Ceramic: Ceramic tile is generally not recommended for outdoor use in any climate. It is frequently used on bathroom walls, in laundry rooms, and for kitchen backsplashes. It is generally not recommended for high-traffic areas.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning porcelain and ceramic tile means damp-mopping with a mild water-soap solution. Sweep or vacuum the tile floor once or twice weekly to remove grit that can dull the glazing. Damp-mop the tile floor once every two weeks. Pay close attention to the tile in the bathroom, as it can develop mold and mildew in the grout seams.

How to Choose Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile

Choosing porcelain vs. ceramic tile can be a tough choice. The main difference is water absorption. Select porcelain tile if you want a hard, stain-resistant surface for a high-traffic area, a wet area, or an outdoor project (such as around a pool), and you don't mind a professional installation. Pick ceramic tile if you are on a budget, like a larger selection of designs and textures, and still want tile in an indoor wet area. Do not consider ceramic tile for any outdoor installations regardless of your climate.