7/27/2019 O Glini, Keramici i Porcelanu

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(And certainly porcelain tile and ceramic tile can be considered close cousins when discussing other, wildly different types of 

tile such as quarry tile, glass tile, or natural stone.)

Let's dig a little deeper before you make that huge investment (and irreversible installation) of tile in your kitchen, bathroom,

or entryway.

Difference #1: Water Absorption Rate

Porcelain tile has a water absorption rate of 0.5% as defined by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) C373.

Fired tile is weighed. Then it is boiled for 5 hours and then let to sit in water for 24 hours afterward. Then it is weighed again.

If the tile weighs less than half of one-percent more as a result of water absorbing into its surface, it is considered porcelain.

Porcelain tile is often extruded; has less impurities than ceramic; is often  rectified; and often contains more kaolin than

ceramic. It's formed of quartz, clay, and feldspar that is fired at temperatures ranging from 1200-1400 degrees C.

But since that also defines many ceramics, again the difference is that porcelain has that 0.5% or less water absorption rate.

Difference #2: Certification

Due to confusion from overzealous (or dishonest) tile companies and their marketing departments, The Porcelain Tile

Certification Agency (PTCA) was created to certify tile as being porcelain or not.

So, according to PTCA, it's not simply enough for a tile to be "impervious" (a favorite tile term, meaning that it is good

against water); it has to meet those ASTM C373 standards of water absorption by sending in five tile samples for testing,

 paying a fee, submitting a participation agreement, and renewing certification every three years. After certification, a

company may use the "Certified Porcelain Tile" branding.

At last count, only 19 North American tile companies had received Porcelain Tile Certification.

Interior or Exterior: No Ceramic Outside

Laying porcelain or ceramic tile outside is not recommended. Ceramic is not even close to being durable enough for exterior 

use because it absorbs too much water. If you live in areas which freeze, your tile would likely crack on the first freezing

night. Stone is your best option.

Density: Porcelain Denser Than Ceramic

Porcelain clays are denser and thus less porous than ceramic clays. This makes porcelain tile harder and more impervious to

moisture than ceramic tile.

Durability: Porcelain Wins

 Not only is porcelain tile more dense than ceramic tile, but due to its through-body composition it is considered more durable

and better suited for heavy usage than ceramic tile. Chip the ceramic tile and you find a different color underneath the top

glaze. Chip the porcelain and the color keeps on going--the chip is nearly invisible.

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While both porcelain and ceramic are fired, porcelain is fired at higher temperatures for a longer time than ceramic. Also,

 porcelain has higher feldspar content, which makes it more durable.

Ease of Cutting: Ceramic a Softer Cut Than Porcelain

The aforementioned density has a good side and a bad side. While ceramic is less dense than porcelain, it's also a far easier 

material for DIY homeowners to cut--by hand, by wet tile saw, or snap tile cutter.

Porcelain is more brittle and may require the experienced hand of a tile-setter to cut properly.

Cost: Ceramic Is Cheaper

All other factors as equal as possible, ceramic tile is cheaper than porcelain tile. Unless there is some anomaly in pricing,

ceramic tile will always be cheaper than porcelain tile. But again, you need to consider other factors in your choice of tile, not

solely pricing.

PEI Rating: Porcelain Higher Than Ceramic

PEI ratings for porcelain tile tend to be around 5 (heavy residential and commercial traffic). PEI ratings for ceramic tile can

range anywhere from PEI 0 (no foot traffic) up to PEI 5, but with most ratings in the lower end of the scale.