When purchasing tiles, a common question that often arises is what distinguishes porcelain tiles from ordinary ones. Nowadays, porcelain floor coverings are considered among the most popular types of tiles. However, it's beneficial to first understand what porcelain tiles are, how they differ from other types of tiles, and to become familiar with their pros and cons as well as their applications. Therefore, we've decided to address how to identify porcelain tiles in this article and provide comprehensive information on the subject.
What are Porcelain Tiles?
Porcelain tiles are a type of ceramic made using clay and other natural materials. Generally, the difference between porcelain and ordinary ceramic lies in their quality, durability, and beauty.
The raw materials used for producing porcelain tiles include a special type of clay along with kaolin, feldspar, silica, and other additives. These tiles require higher firing temperatures and pressure than ordinary ceramic tiles, which contributes to their greater durability and strength. Porcelain tiles usually have a very hard and dense texture.
Porcelain tiles are produced in both glazed and unglazed varieties, both of which are superior in terms of durability and strength compared to their counterparts.
What are Ordinary Tiles?
Ordinary tiles are also ceramic products made from very fine crystalline and porous particles. The firing process for these products is performed at much lower temperatures than that for porcelain tiles; they also come in both glazed and unglazed varieties.
Differences Between Porcelain and Ordinary Tiles
To understand the differences between porcelain and ordinary tiles, one must consider various aspects, including production, installation, maintenance, cost, and more. In the following sections of this article, we will explore these differences in detail.
- Differences in Raw Materials and Production Process
As mentioned earlier, both porcelain and ordinary tiles share some similarities in their raw materials, for example, both are made using clay and other natural materials. However, porcelain tiles are produced under higher pressure and at higher temperatures than ordinary tiles, resulting in a denser texture. Consequently, porcelain tiles offer higher durability, a more challenging production process, and better resistance than ordinary tiles, making them superior in terms of raw materials and production.
- Differences in Durability
One of the key factors in distinguishing porcelain tiles is their resistance. Porcelain tiles have fewer pores and a denser, more compact texture compared to ordinary tiles. They also offer greater resistance to water penetration, temperature changes, impacts, and abrasion, making them a durable and long-lasting product.
- Differences in Installation
Installing porcelain tiles can be challenging due to their dense texture. Therefore, professional and experienced installers are required to ensure the tiles align properly with the floor or wall. Typically, porcelain tiles are cut using diamond blades to minimize errors and breakage. Porcelain tiles are also heavier than ordinary tiles, making their transportation and installation more difficult.
- Differences in Maintenance and Repair
Maintaining porcelain floor tiles is generally less expensive than ordinary tiles due to their durability and quality. However, should these products require replacement, not only the cost of the tiles but also the expense of professional installers must be considered. On the other hand, ordinary tiles can be installed or replaced by a standard installer, highlighting the sensitivity of porcelain tiles compared to ordinary ones. However, it's worth noting that porcelain tiles are installed once and can be enjoyed for many years due to their strength, resistance, and beauty.
- Differences in Price
Price is one of the most important factors in construction or renovation. There is a noticeable price difference between porcelain tiles and ordinary tiles, especially in certain types like porcelain slab tiles. Despite the higher price of porcelain tiles, the difference is justified by their durability and quality, making them a cost-effective option compared to ordinary tiles.
- Aesthetic Differences
While all the differences mentioned are important, perhaps the most striking difference between porcelain and ordinary tiles is their appearance. Based on surveys, most consumers believe that porcelain tiles are more beautiful than ordinary tiles, which may be one of the reasons for their popularity. Since ordinary tiles are porous, they are more prone to staining, making porcelain tiles more suitable for high-traffic areas or spaces susceptible to stains.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Porcelain Tiles
Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of porcelain tiles can also help in their identification. While porcelain tiles offer numerous benefits, they also have some drawbacks, which we will discuss further in this article.
Advantages of Porcelain Tiles Over Ordinary Tiles
The main advantages of porcelain tiles include:
- - High resistance to abrasion
- - High density and thickness
- - Relatively easy maintenance
- - Resistance to stains and ease of cleaning
- - Stunning aesthetic appeal
- - Suitable for high-traffic areas like commercial centers and humid climates
- - Variety in texture, color, design, and size
- - Resistance to heat and frost
- - High breakage resistance
- - UV resistance
- - Impact resistance
Disadvantages of Porcelain Tiles Compared to Ordinary Tiles
Despite their many benefits, porcelain tiles have some disadvantages, including:
- - They must be installed by experienced professionals due to their dense texture, making cutting and installation more challenging than other tile types.
- - Their high density makes them heavier, requiring more careful transportation.
- - Porcelain tiles are more expensive than ordinary tiles, and installation costs are higher, but considering their easy maintenance and durability, the expense is justifiable.
- - The cost of replacing or repairing porcelain tiles is higher compared to ordinary tiles, but given their high quality, the need for repairs is less likely.
Porcelain Tiles: Full Body
Full-body porcelain tiles are made using high-quality porcelain clay and feature a consistent color throughout. These tiles are highly resistant to wear and tear and are usually more expensive than other types of porcelain tiles. Full-body porcelain tiles are known for their impressive beauty, low water absorption, and suitability for moist areas like bathrooms and washrooms.
This article has thoroughly addressed how to distinguish porcelain tiles and detailed the differences between porcelain and ordinary tiles. However, if you're still unsure whether to choose porcelain or ordinary tiles, it's essential to note that ultimately, your preference and budget will be the deciding factors. While opting for cheaper tiles may seem cost-effective due to easier installation, it's important not to expect the same quality and durability offered by porcelain tiles.
Therefore, before making a purchase decision, consider factors such as the application area of the tiles, climate conditions, foot traffic, etc., and then make your choice based on your budget and the aesthetic appeal of porcelain tiles.