Ceramic Tile Compared To Porcelain Tile

The clays used in porcelain tend to have fewer impurities than clays used in ceramic tiles and have more kaolin and feldspar.

Ceramic tile compared to porcelain tile.

Ceramic tiles are kiln fired at a lower temperature than porcelain tiles making them less dense softer and more porous. Porcelain comes in mosaics but usually starts at 2 inches in size skips up to 6 or 8 inches then 12 inches. Ceramic tiles are more porous and often have a higher water absorption rate. Ceramic tile can be slightly more prone to water infiltration than is porcelain tile though these differences are fairly minimal if the ceramic tile is glazed.

If you chip a porcelain tile no change in color occurs. Both tiles are made from a clay mixture that s fired in a kiln but porcelain tile is made from more refined clay and it s fired at higher temperatures. Ceramic tile is fired at lower temperatures generally no more than 1 650 degrees fahrenheit. It may eventually reach square sizes of 36 or 48 inches.

According to the astm standards porcelain must have a water absorption rate of 0 5 percent or lower. The major difference between porcelain tile and ceramic tile is how it s made. Ceramic tiles come in far more colors and sizes than porcelain ranging from inch mosaic to 16 inch or larger tiles.