When you’re ready to choose a tile for your home makeover or renovation, it’s important to keep in mind what tile to use. Although porcelain is a subtype of ceramic tile, they’re both made with different types of clay and absorb different amounts of water. Porcelain tile absorbs less than o.5 percent water, while ceramic, and other non-porcelain tiles, absorbs more than 0.5 percent water. This is important when considering things like moisture, temperature, and heavy use. So let’s take a closer look, so you can decide what tile is best for you!
Durability
Porcelain is the clear winner in this category. Because porcelain clays are denser than ceramic clays, porcelain tiles are hardier and more resistant to moisture. Ceramic tile absorbs too much water which makes it susceptible to moisture retention and freezing. Porcelain is fired at extremely high temperatures, making it 30% harder than a natural stone like granite or marble. This means that porcelain tiles are much better for bathrooms, outdoor areas, and areas with heavy foot-traffic.
Cost
If you’re on a tight budget, ceramic tile is definitely the way to go. Ceramic tile rarely costs more than $4 per square foot, and there are plenty of affordable and stylish tiles for under $2 per square foot. It’s much more difficult to find a quality porcelain tile for under $4 per square foot and the higher quality tile easily surpasses $5 per square foot.
DIY
I think this category really depends on your skill level, but for the beginners, ceramic is much easier to install than porcelain. Because ceramic is a softer tile, it’s much easier to cut. Ceramic can be cut by hand, by wet tile saw, or with a snap tile cutter, where porcelain is more brittle and may require a more experienced hand. Ceramic tile is also easier to affix to the floor. When installing porcelain tile, always check with the manufacturer on the best way to install.