Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tiles: Pros and Cons for Your Home’s Interior Flooring

The material used for your home’s interior flooring can significantly affect the overall appearance and style of your home. And if you do not want to lay down some carpeting on your flooring, then the next best option for you would be the installation of floor tiles.

Floor tiles are utilised by plenty of homeowners due to their associated benefits. They can easily resist staining, water damages, and wear for a very long time, which makes them suitable for floor bathrooms and most living areas. Their durability also allows them to be maintained easily by the application of sealant once every 4 to 5 years. Floor tiles are also cost-effective since they are one of the cheapest flooring options in the market right now. The materials used for floor tiles also make them eco-friendly.

And speaking of materials, the two best material options for floor tiles today are porcelain and ceramic. While they may share some similar characteristics, they still possess some distinct qualities that make one of them more suitable for specific situations.

Porcelain Tiles

• Pros: Porcelain tiles are known for their lovely appearance, durability, and great resistance against water, scratches, and stains. This type of tile material can easily imitate the appearance of other flooring materials, which include marble, wood, granite, bamboo, cork, or steel. As for their durability, porcelain tiles can maintain strong and less porous surfaces due to their fine clay particles that are fired at high temperatures. The resistance of porcelain tiles against damaging elements makes them easier to clean and maintain. These tiles can already be cleaned with water or a mild detergent.
• Cons: Given their great benefits, porcelain tiles are typically priced at a high cost. However, there are porcelain tiles that are already cheaper than other tile options. The durability of porcelain tiles is countered by its brittleness. They also tend to be slippery and difficult to install. The grout lines between these tiles are vulnerable to damages caused by humidity and moisture, which can cause discolouration in conjunction with mould and mildew.

Ceramic Tiles

• Pros: Ceramic tiles are known for a wide variety of styles and colours. The size options for these tiles are also tremendous, making it easier for homeowners to include them in many parts of their homes. Aside from their appearance, ceramic tiles can also resist water damages. Home areas that are always damp or wet like the bathroom or basement can maximise the water-resistance of ceramic tiles. Cleaning them is also easy since these tiles do not allow water spills, hair, dust, and other allergens to infiltrate or get stuck on their surface. They are also much cheaper compared to other tile options.
• Cons: Just like porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles are also heavy, which can be difficult for homes that have a lightweight subfloor. The hardness of these tiles allows them to resist damaging elements, but this quality also makes them more prone to cracking when heavy items are dropped. They can also be uncomfortable to stand or walk on for a long time due to their inability to regulate temperature, which is why some portion of them must be accompanied by a rug or pad. Grout lines between them can also be problematic as they require frequent scrubbing and sealing just to maintain their appearance.

Both tile options can be used for the home’s interior flooring since they boast different features that are beneficial for property owners. However, if you still need help in choosing between them, then just contact us at Century Tiling & Stone so that we can help you decide.

Optimized by: Netwizard SEO