As a tile professional and owner of an online tile store, the difference between ceramic tile and porcelain tile has become a common question that comes up on a daily basis. I often hear a consumer say, “I need porcelain tile because if it chips nobody will notice because the color goes all the way through.” Well, this is only true in through body porcelain tiles, and they are not the most common Energie Ker flooring. The most common form of tile is glazed porcelain tile. It is the most affordable but the color does not go all the way through.
When I hear a customer say something along these lines it is time to ask myself a question. Should I explain or educate? In this article I will attempt to do both.
First off porcelain is a much denser tile than ceramic and less likely to chip. Also it’s absorption rate is less, which makes it frost resistant and suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations.* But if a glazed porcelain tile chips, you will see the porcelain. In many cases buying a porcelain tile for a residential product is overdoing it and a ceramic tile will do just fine for your project.
Every tile, ceramic or porcelain, has a PEI rating. The PEI rating should be the determining factor in making your final decision, not whether the tile is ceramic or porcelain. The PEI rating will tell us how resistant a tile is to chipping or scratching. Below are the PEI ratings and the recommended use for each rating.