02 Dec Differences between porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles by Mykonos Cerámica

12-2-2022
Ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles are generally used for the same applications: covering floors, walls, outdoors, street furniture...
But they have differences in terms of their characteristics, price and properties that are not visible to the naked eye.

This post by Mykonos Cerámica serves as a guide to know their disparities and to be able to better choose which one to select.

Both tiles are part of the general ceramic category, which includes all tiles made from natural earthen clays and hardened by heat.

In the modern tile industry, however, porcelain is in its own category as it meets certain specifications.

COMPONENTS AND MANUFACTURING

The manufacturing processes of porcelain tiles are longer and, therefore, more expensive than those of common ceramics.
Ceramic tiles are made mainly with stoneware-clay and contain less kaolin than porcelain tiles, whose mixture is made from purer clays and contains other minerals such as quartz and feldspar.
This makes them thinner and smoother tiles but also denser and heavier.

Also due to these procedures, porcelain tiles are more resistant to bumps and scratches.

Ceramic tiles are fired at temperatures of 900 and porcelain between 1200 and 1400 degrees Celsius.

The absorption rate of porcelain tile is 0.5% while that of ceramic tiles is higher, so they are somewhat more porous and more prone to leaks.
Even so, the ceramic tile, also called stoneware or white paste, has a high quality. This difference should only be taken into account if it is intended to be used for a kitchen counter, for example, in a pool area...


Porcelain tiles are somewhat heavier and harder, but where they make the difference is in their impermeability and how they withstand freezing cycles (outdoors and/or cold areas).


DESIGN

Silex, a white-paste tile by Mykonos Cerámica.

Porcelain tiles can accurately simulate other materials such as wood, marble, cement or stone. This makes them more realistic than those of white paste.

In addition, porcelain usually has more finishes, patterns...

Meanwhile, white-paste tiles are usually in solid colors or with decorations, which makes them perfect as cladding (walls).

PLACEMENT AND DURATION

Liceo, a porcelain tile by Mykonos Cerámica.

Stoneware is much faster and easier to lay. Any work or reform made with stoneware saves us both money and time.

Both porcelain tile and stoneware tile are highly durable building materials.

The technicians' estimates indicate that, on average, a porcelain tile floor can remain, with almost no visible variations, for 80 to 100 years, if its joints are kept in good condition.