Which is better – tiles or porcelain tiles for floors and walls??

There are two common choices when it comes to selecting the material for your walls and floors: porcelain tiles and tiles. Due to their reputation for strength, style, and adaptability, both materials are excellent choices for a range of home renovation projects. But how do you choose the best one for your particular requirements?

It’s important to know the distinctions between porcelain and tile. Regular tiles are usually less expensive and offer a greater variety of designs. They are frequently made of ceramic. Conversely, porcelain tiles, a subset of ceramic tile, are better suited for high-traffic areas and outdoor use because they are denser, less porous, and frequently more durable.

Budget, location, and preferred aesthetic are just a few of the many variables that influence the decision-making process. While porcelain tiles might be a better option for a busy hallway or an outdoor patio, tiles might be ideal for a quaint bathroom or a kitchen backsplash.

To assist you in making an informed decision, we will examine the salient features of porcelain and tile in this post, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each. Whether you’re building a new project or remodeling an existing one, knowing these materials will guarantee a stunning and durable end product.

How ceramics are made

Knowing the production technology and component composition of the materials in question is essential to distinguishing between tiles (the colloquial term for ceramic tiles) and porcelain tiles, as these factors determine the specific properties of ceramics.

Making tiles

They use: inexpensive for the production of ceramic tiles. possesses a high

• red (about 90% of the total production volume) or white (no more than 10%) clay (kaolin) – refractory or refractory varieties. In this case, preference is given to refractory types – they allow you to obtain more durable ceramics;
• quartz sand – needed to create homogeneity of the mass, as a result of which, during the firing process, the tile, firstly, retains its geometric dimensions, and secondly, gains strength;
• sodium aluminum silicate – imparts viscosity to the raw material before molding;
• potassium aluminum silicate – increases the strength of the material when exposed to high temperatures.

Plasticizers, vapor-forming agents, and fluxes (fluxes) from clays with high plasticity can be added to the clay if specific properties need to be set.

The following steps are taken in the process of making tiles:

1. raw materials are prepared by mixing all components in certain proportions;
2. The press is formed by a tile of a given size;
3. Fressed clay is dried.

Technologists have two options after this point:

1. The dried tiles are burned, enameled, and then burned once more. It ends up being more porous and, as a result, a less robust finishing material that is limited to wall cladding. Bicottor is the term for this technology (which means "double firing" in Italian).

2. Enamel is applied to the tile, and it is burned between 1200 and 1300 degrees Celsius. The end product is a more resilient material that is suitable for use on the floor, where loads are significantly higher. Enamel holds better at the same time, demonstrating greater resistance to abrasion. Monocottura ceramics are those that have successfully completed a single firing at a temperature that is nearly equal to 1200 o C.

Various ceramic tile types can be identified based on factors such as clay type, pressing force, temperature, and firing frequency.

• majolica. Very durable, large-pore tile. Red clay is used to make it. To strengthen the clay fraction in the manufacture of various decorative elements, earthenware waste is added. Double firing;

For details: According to Wikipedia, earthenware waste can be used to make majolica, or fired clay. One may wonder how ceramics are made in the first place if the raw material isn’t malleable.

1. strength – can be used not only for walls, but also for floors;
2. long service life;
3. abrasion resistance;
4. noble appearance.

• faience. Classic look for wall decoration in a bathroom, toilet or shower. Produced only from kaolin (white clay), without additives of other types of clays. It is fired at a temperature of only 1000 o C, or even lower, due to which many pores remain on the surface. The porous surface structure absorbs moisture well. Therefore, using earthenware tiles outdoors may cause them to rupture if the water they absorb freezes. Rarely, but still tiles are laid on the floor. In this case, you cannot walk on it in shoes (barefoot is best) – it quickly wears out and becomes dull;

• porcelain is a new type of ceramic tile for the construction market. It is distinguished by a smooth, glass-like surface, high strength and resistance to chemically aggressive materials.
  Produced from high quality kaolin (47-66%), feldspar and quartz sand (approximately 25% each). Fired at a very high temperature from 1400 to 1460 o C.

To make floor tiles stronger and harder, ferrous metals are added. Because a continuous layer of sintered ceramic is created on the surface by high-temperature firing, the material only absorbs 0.5% of water. These tiles are among the best materials for facade finishing because they can endure practically infinite freezing cycles. Porcelain floors on open loggias and balconies are ideal for their intended uses. The high price limits sales growth even with the superior technical features.

• cottoforte. Tiles made from a mixture of various clays with the addition of fireclay, obtained by pressing and double firing. It differs from majolica in its very high mechanical strength, which allows it to be used for flooring;

• clinker. These are glazed or unglazed ceramics produced by a single firing. Has a compacted base, thanks to extrusion or pressing under very high pressure. It is fired at very high temperatures, which provides high density, and, based on this, increased strength (has the maximum strength among all types of tiles) and frost resistance. These qualities make clinker an almost ideal option for exterior wall finishing and flooring in high-traffic areas.

Production of porcelain stoneware

The so-called "slip," a mushy mixture of quartz sand, feldspar, and white and illite clays, is the foundation of porcelain tiles. Using a specific process, the slip—a blend of all the raw material’s constituent parts plus water—is made into a powder for pressing, to which mineral dyes are added. During the subsequent phases of manufacturing:

1. tiles are formed from the powder;
2. the formed tiles are pressed and dried under very high pressure (up to 500 kg/cm2) to remove air bubbles and moisture;
3. drawings or glaze are applied to the surface (as necessary, depending on the purpose of the finished product);
4. the molded mass is fired at a temperature of about 1300 o C;
5. The porcelain stoneware surface is ground or polished (as necessary).

A perceptive reader will wonder right away, "Where’s the granite?" Italy produced the first porcelain stoneware. Its matte tint, rough surface, and incredibly dense, nearly monolithic structure—free of pores, cracks, or foreign inclusions—all evoked strong memories of natural granite. Thus, the name, ceramic granite, is appropriate. known as porcelain stoneware in short.

There are various varieties of porcelain tiles produced:

• technical or “salt-pepper” (another name common among manufacturers and tilers). Another name: “gres tile”, which is more familiar to consumers. This is the very first type of porcelain tile and the cheapest. Has very high strength and resistance to chemicals.

• matte. Like technical porcelain tiles, they are not subject to any treatment after leaving the kiln. However, it differs from gres tiles in size. The latter is thicker (from 12 to 30 mm) and smaller in area (the format on any side does not exceed 300 mm). The technical and operational characteristics of both types of ceramics are almost the same, except for strength. For matte tiles it is slightly lower, which is explained by different thicknesses;

• polished. The mirror surface of porcelain stoneware is obtained in the process of removing the top layer of the tile by grinding and subsequent polishing. But such tiles are very slippery when wet, and therefore are used mainly in public buildings for wall cladding. In apartments and private houses, this type of ceramics looks “expensive and rich” both on the walls and on the floor. But the floor must be dry. Polishing is very sensitive to abrasion. With intense walking, it becomes covered with tiny scratches and the shine disappears;

• lapped, what does it mean in Italian?. means "shabby". This type of surface is obtained as a result of partial, but not complete, grinding of the front side of porcelain stoneware. As a result, the surface turns out to be combined: in some places matte, in others shiny (polished), in others completely untouched by abrasives. Such surface heterogeneity gives specific decorative and functional properties. For example, ceramics are not so slippery, and therefore are widely used for flooring;

• satin. The satin texture is obtained using mineral salts, which are applied to the surface of the tile before firing. Such porcelain tiles have a soft shine and almost zero chance of slipping;

• glazed – coating with glaze applied before firing. This type of finishing has a variety of patterns, tones and textures, which allows designers to diversify the interior design of apartments, cottages, restaurants and cafes;

• raised (structured porcelain tiles) – there is always a drawing or pattern on the front side. Tiles can be glossy, matte or glazed. Most often it imitates natural materials: stone; skin; tree; bamboo etc.d.

Finishing materials are ideal for decorating interior spaces.

Advantages and disadvantages

Homeowners mostly consider two factors when selecting wall covering materials: the cost of the materials and their appearance (design). Gender is one area where things are more complicated. Here, much more technical material properties are required to be considered, such as the degree of abrasion, strength, coefficient of friction (the force that holds shoes to a wet floor), speed of contamination, ease of maintenance, etc.

To determine which type of flooring is better, porcelain or tiles, let’s first look at the advantages and disadvantages of each material.

Porcelain tiles

The benefits and drawbacks of porcelain tiles are the main topics of interest for prospective purchasers. Firstly, among the benefits, the following should be mentioned:

• long service life, ranging from 30 years to infinity. For example, technical ceramic granite has an unlimited service life, matte – up to 100 years, polished – up to 30 years, semi-polished (lappoted) – 30-40 years, satin and glazed – up to 40 years, structural – up to 50 years;
• strength – withstands a load of 2000 newtons (about 203 kg) per cm2, which allows the tile to withstand any falls of objects on the floor without chipping (if the laying technology is violated and there is a void under the tile, it will crack);

• hardness (on the Mohs scale 6-8 points);
• environmental cleanliness – it contains only natural ingredients that are not allergens;
• Easy care – just wipe with a damp cloth;
• cladding technology available for implementation on your own;
• versatility – can be used inside and outside buildings, on floors and walls;
• high frost resistance – withstands from 100 to 300 freezing cycles;
• resistance to ultraviolet radiation and many chemically active substances;
• wide choice of texture, pattern and color.

• high price (with the exception of gres tiles), which is associated with complex production technology;
• low coefficient of friction in some types of ceramic granite tiles, especially when wet, which increases the risk of injury to such floors;
• low level of heat and sound insulation;
• difficult processing – cut with a special tool;
• unpleasant tactile sensations – the finishing material is very cold when touched.

Regular tiles

With a few minor exceptions, ceramic tiles and porcelain granite have comparable advantages and disadvantages. Among the benefits are:

• durability – lower than that of porcelain stoneware and reaches 20-30 years for ordinary tiles, 30-50 or more years for facade tiles and more than 100 years for clinker;
• affordable price for mass buyers;
• sufficient strength to perform basic functions. However, dropping heavy objects onto the lined surface is strictly not recommended;
• wide choice of color, texture and pattern;
• environmental safety – all materials used in production are non-allergenic and non-toxic;
• moisture resistance – can be used in rooms with high humidity without the risk of destruction and the appearance of mold and mildew;
• simple installation technology – no special skills required;
• easy care.

• fragility – easily breaks and splits, which requires careful handling of the cladding during operation, since the fall of heavy objects can lead to the appearance of chips and cracks;
• cold surface – high thermal conductivity quickly removes heat from bare feet, as a result of which the tile is always cool;
• poor sound insulation;
• slipperiness – wet tiles have caused numerous household injuries.

The materials under consideration have nearly identical benefits and drawbacks, according to a pros and cons analysis. Thus, let us attempt to compare the performance characteristics of the two types of ceramics in order to determine their differences.

Comparison of characteristics

We will compare porcelain stoneware and tiled floor tiles using the following standards to see which is superior:

• the cost of tiles and finishing work is one of the determining criteria. After all, you always want to combine incompatible things: buy the best quality product cheaper;
• durability. The effect of the repair is not only in a beautiful interior, but also in the effectiveness of the funds invested in the decoration, which depends on the service life of the materials used;
• hardness and degree of strength. The indicators characterize the reaction of materials to static and dynamic loads (how heavy objects can be placed on the floor and how ceramics react to falling solid objects) and the degree of abrasion during high traffic;
• complexity of installation;
• slipperiness – the coefficient of friction of materials in a wet state is one of the most important criteria when choosing a floor covering;
• water absorption – the tile’s reaction to moisture determines the possibility of its use in wet rooms and outside buildings;
• frost resistance is the most important indicator of ceramics when finishing facades, porches and other elements of buildings located outside;
• resistance to chemically active substances is an important indicator when choosing flooring for industrial enterprises;
• ecological cleanliness. With the advent of a huge number of different types of finishing materials, this evaluation criterion becomes the main one, since the addition of even one allergen component can create significant problems for the product;
• ease of maintenance is an important indicator that is rarely paid attention to;
• can it be laid on a warm floor;
• variety of choice.

What is cheaper

Price is often the most important consideration. Thus ceramic tiles are without a doubt the leader in this category. Ceramic tiles cost a lot more money. Comparing exact costs is not feasible, though, as there are numerous variables that influence the price, such as the product’s thickness and geometric dimensions, surface treatment type, etc.

What lasts longer

The materials have a fairly long service life—more than 30 years—if the operating conditions are met. But with time, the tiles lose their original look: chips, scratches that are only noticeable from a specific angle, fading color, and diminished mirror shine.

In conclusion, ceramic granite tiles have a significantly longer service life, which eventually justifies their higher cost.

Hardness and strength

Granite ceramic tiles have several advantages over other finishing materials and tiles, including the highest hardness (6–8 on the Mohs scale compared to 3–7 for tiles) and increased strength (able to support loads of over 200 kg/cm2), which makes the material incredibly resistant to shock and static loads. Thus, porcelain stoneware-lined surfaces are free of chips, scratches, and cracks. It’s true that you can inflict different kinds of tile damage if you work hard. But we refer to it as vandalism.

Because of this quality of the material, porcelain stoneware is the best choice for high-traffic floors, including those where equipment is present, and for installing large pieces of equipment without the need for anchor bolts or a foundation.

In conclusion, porcelain stoneware is the best material for surfaces that are subjected to high static and dynamic loads.

Difficulty of installation

Since both materials are ceramic, installation technology appears to be the same at first glance. But knowledgeable experts will quickly point out that this is a layman’s opinion. There are distinctions, and they matter.

• On the wall, the adhesive cannot withstand standard-sized porcelain tiles until it fully sets; additional temporary fixing elements are needed.
• Cutting granite ceramic tiles is very difficult due to their high density and strength. Requires special tools and skills (many nuances).
• To attach tiles to vertical surfaces, you need glue with a special formula – the types of glue used for ordinary tiles do not hold heavy cladding.

In conclusion, you are capable of installing ceramic granite tiles on your own. That being said, this is far more challenging to accomplish with porcelain stoneware.

Slippery

Ceramic surfaces of any kind, particularly glossy porcelain tiles, are slick. As a result, it is not recommended to use such a material to make stairs and other areas with high patency clear because it greatly increases the risk of a serious injury from falling.

In conclusion, it is important to consider that tiles, especially porcelain tiles, are potentially dangerous materials when installing flooring. Porcelain stoneware still has an advantage though, since some varieties have relief notches or non-slip coatings (satin tiles, for example, which are used to clad stairs).

Water absorption level

Water practically never seeps through granite ceramic tiles because of their monolithic structure. Its rate of water absorption is between 0.01 and 0.05% (in comparison, marble absorbs approximately 10% of water and tiles absorb 1-2%). Nevertheless, the specified criterion is irrelevant for interior work. In damp areas like the kitchen and bathroom, both materials can be used with equal success.

However, a high level of moisture resistance lets you transfer more freezing cycles without harming the finishing material when facing the facade, open balcony, or loggia.

In conclusion, there are more freezing cycles in porcelain stoneware because the water absorption rate tends to zero. As such, it’s practically the perfect choice for doing exterior cladding work. The differences in moisture absorption between these materials are not useful inside a building.

Frost resistance

When choosing a material for a building element’s external cladding, the frost resistance indicator is crucial. Porcelain tiles have a major advantage in this situation because they can survive up to 300 freezing cycles, whereas regular tiles start to break after 50 frost-thaw cycles.

Conclusion: Although it may seem counterintuitive, common tiles in the Far North will endure longer than those in the temperate zone, where there may be as many as ten to twenty instances of frost followed by above-freezing temperatures in a single winter season. Thus, there is no discernible difference between porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles in areas with consistent seasonal temperatures. Porcelain stoneware is perfect for external cladding in temperate regions of Russia. Ordinary tiles will adequately fulfill all the functions of external cladding; using ceramic granite tiles in warm climates will only result in financial waste.

Environmental friendliness

Natural resources are used as raw materials to produce both kinds of ceramics. Furthermore, not a single component causes allergies or releases harmful materials into the apartment’s airspace.

In conclusion, family members cannot be harmed by the use of either type of finishing to cover the walls and floors in any room of an apartment or home.

Easy to care for

Using a moist cloth, dirt that accumulates on the surface of porcelain stoneware or tiles is easily removed.

In conclusion, maintaining both varieties of ceramics is quite simple.

Resistance to chemicals

Practically no consideration is given to the criterion of resistance to different chemicals at the household level. Selecting flooring for chemical laboratories or workshops of industrial enterprises that utilize chemical reagents is a crucial decision. With its high density and uniform structure, porcelain stoneware is the obvious choice in this case. He is the one who has a high level of inertness to alkalis and acids.

In conclusion, ceramic granite tiles are about the only option available for finishing walls and floors in spaces where chemically active substances are used extensively.

Possibility of laying on a warm floor

There are no installation restrictions for either finishing material on "warm floor" systems.

In conclusion, a "warm floor" can be covered with regular tiles and porcelain stoneware.

Variety of choices

After price, the finishing material’s design is nearly always ranked second in the rating system. Tile is undoubtedly in the lead here. It offers a vast array of tile kinds with various textures, patterns, structures, and colors. In this sense, the competitor’s options are restricted.

There are, however, some exceptions: structural porcelain tiles have a rich, elegant appearance that tiles do not. But such beauty has a corresponding value.

In conclusion, tiles are unquestionably better in terms of design, but only when it comes to the walls. Granite ceramic tile producers offer a wide enough selection of flooring tiles that not only rival other options but, in certain situations, outperform them.

What and in what case to choose

If we take the cost out of it, we would need to purchase lighter-weight tiles for the walls and porcelain stoneware, particularly with embossed glaze, matte or satin finishes (which don’t slip). This universal advice is applicable to the kitchen, bathroom, and hallway.

The living room’s tiles are really striking. This kind of flooring should be avoided in the bedroom and nursery because it is slick and cold.

Aspect	Tiles	Porcelain Tiles
Durability	Good for light to medium traffic areas	Extremely durable, suitable for high traffic areas
Water Resistance	Resistant to water but can absorb moisture over time	Highly water-resistant, very low water absorption
Cost	Generally more affordable	More expensive
Design Options	Wide variety of colors and patterns	Also offers a wide variety, often mimicking natural stones
Installation	Easier and less costly to install	Requires professional installation due to hardness
Maintenance	Easy to clean but may require periodic sealing	Easy to maintain with minimal upkeep

Your unique needs and tastes will determine which tile or porcelain tile is best for your floors and walls. Both materials have special advantages and possible disadvantages, which make them appropriate in various circumstances.

Tiles are a versatile option for a variety of home styles because they are typically more affordable and available in a wide range of designs and colors. Additionally, they are simpler to install and cut, which can help you save time and money on your remodeling project.

Conversely, porcelain tiles are renowned for their toughness and ability to withstand stains and moisture. This makes them a great choice for wet locations and high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms. They also guarantee a longer-lasting finish because they are less prone to chip or crack.

The choice ultimately boils down to what matters most to you in a wall or flooring material. Tiles might be the best option if cost and design flexibility are your top priorities. Porcelain tiles are probably a better choice if water resistance and durability are your top concerns.

You can improve the aesthetics and usability of your space for years to come by carefully weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each material.

Durability, style, and upkeep are important factors to take into account when choosing porcelain or tiles for walls and floors. Because porcelain tiles are less porous, denser, and more durable than other materials, they are perfect for bathrooms and other damp areas with heavy traffic. Regular tiles are an excellent choice for low-traffic areas and decorative wall designs because they come in a variety of styles, are easier to cut and install, and are generally more affordable. In the end, your decision will be based on your personal style preferences, your budget, and the particular requirements of your space.

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