Facts about Porcelain vs Ceramic Tile

When a home owner wants to improve his living space and housing atmosphere, he can do it in the easiest and simplest way: by installing tiles. Lots of people often underestimate the important role and function of the tile, thinking that the tiles won’t do much help in improving the aesthetic side of the house décor and style. Well, they’re wrong to think like that because the tiles can do impressive job in increasing the look and appearance of the house. However, there’s a basic struggle and question that people often wonder about. They’re often thinking about porcelain vs ceramic tile issue and the main difference of the two of them.

Porcelain vs Ceramic Tile: Understanding the Difference

To discuss further about the porcelain vs ceramic tile issue, they need to understand more and further about the basic concept of the porcelain vs ceramic tile. So, what’s the main difference of the porcelain vs ceramic tile, anyway? Well, nothing much, actually. The tiles are mostly ceramic, but the porcelain tiles are the better version of the ceramic one. The quality of the tiles is higher and better because the materials have been purified and also refined very well. All tiles are compounded of water, clay, quartz, and sand substances. When these substances and mixed and the tiles are already formed, they need to be fired inside the high temperature oven so they will be solid. Some tiles are then glazed on the surface for better aesthetic purpose. The porcelain tiles usually have denser quality than the regular ceramic ones.

Lots of people often think that the porcelain tiles are better in quality and the higher cost is pretty normal. But they need to be careful because nowadays, the price of the tiles is fairly almost the same. There’s almost no significant difference of the tiles’ price because nowadays porcelain tiles are set up in lower and more affordable price range setting. Moreover, home owners should also be aware about the usage of the tiles and what kind of tiles will be installed inside their house. They won’t have to pay extra for something that they don’t actually need. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the use. All the debate about porcelain vs ceramic tile is basically not important anymore.

Important Factors in Porcelain vs Ceramic Tile

When people want to decide between which the best in porcelain vs ceramic tile controversy is that they should see the PEI factor since it will be the basic standard for the use. Based of PEI – Porcelain Enamel Institutions – level, there’re several PEI rating that should go along with the usage and application.
•    Class 1 is the softest and the most glazed tiles. These tiles are only suitable for wall covering, not floor, because they are very slippery and very reflecting.
•    Class 2 is the tiles mostly used in low traffic area. The tiles can be used in study room, living room, or other rooms where the traffic is quite low. When this type of tiles is used in high traffic areas, they will be damaged quite fast.
•    Class 3 is the tiles mostly used in high traffic areas, such as kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom. However, this type of tiles is usually installed in the inside part of the house; not the outside.
•    Class 4 is the tiles mostly used in commercial areas within the interior setting. It’s usually installed inside the store or shop.
•    Class 5 is the hardest type of tiles usually used in very high traffic setting. These tiles are used in commercial or heavy industrial setting. They can also be used for exterior usage too.

When a home owner wants to decide the best type of tiles for their needs, they can always see the PEI rating on the box or package. If they can’t find such information on the box, they shouldn’t buy it despite how low or great bargain they can get. It doesn’t matter whether the porcelain vs ceramic tile issue remains exists because it’s no longer the main concern. As it was mentioned before, there’s no significant difference of porcelain and ceramic tile since they’re not so much different in materials and also substance.

Handy Porcelain vs Ceramic Tile Tips

Instead of paying attention to the issue of which one is better between the porcelain vs ceramic tile, people should put better attention to the following tips of getting the best tiles for their needs.
•    They shouldn’t pay much attention to the word ‘porcelain’ on the package or the box. The term really means nothing and it won’t be much of use.
•    They should always pay attention to the porcelain vs ceramic tile ratings. If they can’t find the porcelain vs ceramic tile ratings, then skip the offer to buy the tiles; no matter how cheap they cost. It’s better to use tested tiles rather to spend money on untested tiles that people don’t know anything about. They won’t know the quality, the condition of the tiles surface, the long lasting period, and many more.
•    They shouldn’t buy better tiles – no matter about the controversy of porcelain vs ceramic tile – that they don’t actually need.