Porcelain tile has been a favorite flooring material in kitchens and baths for many years.
It is a ceramic tile that can be glazed or unglazed.
There is no clear difference between a ceramic tile and a porcelain tile except one is much more impervious to moisture than the other.
It is created by mixing clay and other materials together and firing it at very high heat.
This firing process hardens the tile and depending on the length of time and the temperature will result in how hard the tile will become and how impervious it will be to water.
Ceramic tiles are generally not as hard as porcelain tiles because they are fired for a much shorter time.
What is It Used For? It can be used as flooring material or can be used on walls.
The glazed version is favored for bathroom walls.
It has a low water absorption rate so it is ideal for areas that may potentially become wet.
These types of tiles are graded based on their hardness and the ability to resist water absorption.
There is a scale that is set that rates the Porcelain tile from zero to five with the hardest being five.
The harder tiles are used in flooring and wall applications while the lower rated material is used as an electrical insulator is appliances and other electronic devices.
It is extremely chip resistant and is perfectly permissible to be used on counter top surfaces, in many instances Porcelain tile is not only more resistant than natural stone but it also can be easier to care for.
It does not require any special sealants or treatments and can be less absorbent than natural stone.
Best Types The best types are generally the type that has reached the highest rating.
Of course lower grade tiles are fine for certain applications.
Usually the lower rated tiles are used on walls while the higher rated tiles are used on flooring applications.
There are several considerations when choosing: - Outdoor applications will require frost proof tiles; these are the hardest rated tiles.
- Look for an indication that it is a full bodied tile.
This means that the color of the tile goes all the way through the tile and this will be the hardest tile.
In flooring applications this is really a necessity.
Some are manufactured with only a glaze of color; the glaze can wear over time (albeit a long time).
- Porcelain tile will not have the same design options that a ceramic tile has.
The processing limit's the designs that can be imprinted on the tile, so usually it is going to be only of one color.
Whatever the application is there is one that will be the ideal product to use.
Costs Porcelain tile is expensive, not prohibitive in cost by any means but more expensive than ceramic tiles, but well worth the additional costs.
Cost will largely be dictated by the tiles rating and the color or design of the tile.
Size will also play a roll in costs.
Most home improvement stores will have an array of Porcelain tile to choose from.
Porcelain tile is a great material to work with; it is long lasting and stain resistant.
It is an easy care surface that can be quickly cleaned using plain water.