Ceramic tile or porcelain tile - which is better?

Finishing the floor in any building is one of the most time-consuming processes. That is why choosing a decor for the floor in the house, each owner of an apartment or cottage immediately wants to make it extremely reliable, durable, wear-resistant and at the same time attractive. Few people will want to repeat the process of finishing or restoration again after a year. That is why among the wide variety of building materials on the modern market, the most common question is, ceramic tile or porcelain tile - which is better? We will deal with this in this article.

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Production

To understand for yourself which is better - porcelain tiles or ceramic tiles for the floor, you just need to find out the differences in the manufacturing process. They are as follows:

1. Ordinary tiles are made on the basis of mineral-clay raw materials, which are molded under a press, then fired, enameled in the desired shade and glazed.
2. Porcelain tile is made on the basis of the same raw material mass. The differences in manufacturing are that color pigments are added to the base itself, and the press pressure and firing temperature are much higher than in the production of ordinary ceramic tiles.

Important! Ceramic tiles, depending on the applied firing temperature and press pressure, are classified into wall and floor. Wall, as a rule, can withstand lower values ​​of pressure and firing, so it is not as strong as the floor.

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Characteristics

The final quality of any of these materials depends on the quality of the raw materials in the composition, as well as the features of the technology applied. In general, under similar conditions and the integrity of the manufacturer, one can note such a difference in the characteristics of ordinary tiles and porcelain tiles.

Properties of ceramic tiles:

1. Hygiene
2. Moisture resistance.
3. Durability subject to operating conditions.
4. The widest selection of shades and patterns.
5. Fire resistance.
6. Moisture resistance - may have different meanings.
7. Frost resistance - some species.

Important! Choosing ceramic tiles, you need to know about its possible shortcomings. They are as follows:

• over time, the colors fade and the color fades, and on each element this can occur unevenly;
• cracks and scratches may appear from the falling of heavy hard objects to the floor, from walking in street shoes with sand and grainy dirt;
• over time, maintenance of such a coating becomes more difficult, as dirt is absorbed into the micropores of the surface.

Properties of porcelain tile:

1. Great hardness.
2. The highest possible density without pores.
3. Zero water absorption, when even with the highest quality tile, this indicator has a minimum value of 10%.
4. Color fastness, since color pigments are not applied superficially, but enter the structure of porcelain stoneware.
5. Wear resistance.
6. Frost resistance.

Important! The disadvantages of this material are the following factors:

• high price, which at times exceeds the cost of a regular tile;
• limited designs;
• higher degree of glide than classic tiles.

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Ceramic tiles or porcelain tiles - where exactly are we laying?

Based on the above characteristics of each of 2 similar types of floor decor, it is not difficult to conclude that ceramic tile or porcelain tile is better.The choice should be made based on where exactly you are going to lay such a tile.

So, what will be the results in comparison, which is better - granite or ceramic floor tiles:

1. In rooms with very high traffic, as well as in those where they walk in shoes - halls, corridors, hallways, it is definitely better to lay porcelain tiles. It will not be scratched from shoes, will not absorb water and dirt from it.
2. When decorating the kitchen, porcelain stoneware will also be the best choice, because even if something falls on it or spills vinegar, aggressive chemicals from a series of cleaning substances, this will not damage the floor decor.
3. For outdoor areas in the open air - porch, porch, it is also reasonable to lay porcelain tiles.
4. But for a bath or any other room, it is better to choose a regular tile. Porcelain tile here will be inappropriate for the price, besides due to the higher slip, it may also be unsafe.

Important! Choosing any type of tile, do not forget that it is a cold finishing material. That is, bare feet on this floor is unpleasant to walk, and if, for example, you are designing a nursery or bedroom - you must definitely consider the arrangement of the system underfloor heating. Moreover, more intense will be required when laying porcelain stoneware, since it is thicker and denser.

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Stock footage

We hope that we have clarified for you which is better - ceramic floor tiles or porcelain tiles, and now it is much easier for you to make such an important choice.