Porcelain and ceramic tile look alike on a showroom wall, and both are made from clay fired in a kiln. The difference is in the clay and the firing. Porcelain uses a finer, denser clay mix fired at a higher temperature. That makes it harder and much less absorbent than ordinary ceramic.
How to tell them apart
In the industry, a tile counts as porcelain when it absorbs 0.5% of its weight in water or less. Most packaging and spec sheets will say whether a tile meets that standard. Two quick clues in the showroom:
- Look at the edge. Many porcelain tiles are "through-body" or "color-body," so the color runs most of the way through. Ceramic tile usually has a red or white clay body under a glazed top layer.
- Feel the weight. Porcelain is noticeably heavier for the same size.
Where porcelain makes sense
Porcelain's low absorption and hardness make it the safer choice anywhere water or wear is a concern:
- Shower floors and walls
- Bathroom and laundry room floors
- Entries and mudrooms, where boots bring in water, salt and sand
- Kitchen floors
It also comes in the widest range of looks. Most marble-look, wood-look, concrete-look and large-format tile you'll see today is porcelain.
Where ceramic makes sense
Glazed ceramic is lighter and easier to cut, and it comes in a huge range of colors and glazes, including handmade-look and glossy finishes that are hard to match in porcelain. It's a good fit for:
- Kitchen backsplashes
- Bathroom walls outside the shower
- Accent walls and fireplace surrounds
Many ceramic tiles are rated for floors too, so check the rating on the box if you're considering one for a low-traffic floor.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Is it rated for floors? Wall-only tile can crack or wear quickly underfoot.
- What's the slip resistance? For bathroom floors and shower floors, look for a tile rated for wet areas.
- Is it rectified? Rectified tiles are cut to precise, square edges, so they can be set with narrower grout lines.
- How much extra should I order? Plan on extra for cuts and breakage, plus a few spare tiles kept for future repairs. Patterns like herringbone need more.
The short answer
If the tile will get wet or walked on, porcelain is usually the better choice. If it's going on a wall and you love a particular color or glaze, ceramic is often perfect. When you send your project details, mention the room and the look you want, and your installer can help you narrow it down.