Weighing the Pros and Cons of Porcelain Tile Known as the most durable type of tile on the market, porcelain is harder, denser, tougher, and less porous than ceramic tile. It also has a very low absorption rate, meaning it’s virtually impervious to water damage, even after prolonged exposure.

Which is better for bathroom porcelain or ceramic?

Ultimately, porcelain tile is the superior choice for bathroom floors. When compared to ceramic, the material is much better equipped for rooms that use plumbing. It’s also easier to maintain than ceramic tile.

What are the disadvantages of porcelain?





Disadvantages of porcelain tile flooring

– being durable, porcelain tiles are also hard to cut or to drill. They require special and stronger tools to be cut into any desired shaped. – they are harder to fix onto mortar, they need extra pressure to be forced into place.

Is it better to have porcelain or ceramic tile?

Durability: The density of porcelain tile makes it more durable than ceramic tile while being less subject to wear and tear. This makes it more suitable for commercial use as well as in the home. Water Resistance: Porcelain tile is almost impervious to water compared to ceramic tile.

Is porcelain tile a good choice for bathroom floor?

Porcelain tile is a popular choice for bathroom floors. Porcelain is a denser, less porous and harder option that offers greater stain and water resistance than ceramic tile. Plus, it’s suitable for radiant in-floor heat to keep feet toasty on cool mornings. Porcelain offers unmatched design versatility.

Does porcelain tile crack easily?





Hard, dense, and solid, porcelain is resistant to most heavy stresses and can even be used in commercial environments. Be aware, though, that the hardness of porcelain can make it slightly more brittle than standard tiles, which means they can be more susceptible to cracking.

Which type of tile is best for bathroom floor?

The Best Options for Bathroom Floor Tile in 2022

  • Vinyl Tiles. Vinyl is the most popular bathroom flooring material because of its low cost and high degree of practicality. …
  • Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles. …
  • Glass Tiles. …
  • Stone Tiles. …
  • Plastic Laminate Tiles. …
  • Linoleum Floor Tiles. …
  • Cork Tiles.

What are the pros and cons of porcelain tile?

Pros & Cons of Porcelain Tile

  • Install Yourself? Yes.
  • Best Uses: All-purpose; also commercial installations.
  • Pros: Toughness, variety of design.
  • Cons: Requires modified setting material to anchor it to substrate.
  • Price Range: $3–$6.


Is porcelain floor tile slippery?

Ceramic and porcelain tile floors can be notoriously slippery. The very feature that makes tile easy to clean—its smooth, non-porous nature—also means that it is slippery underfoot.

Do porcelain tiles absorb moisture?

Porcelain tiles have a far lower water absorption rate than glazed stoneware tiles, for example: a mere 0.5% in the case of porcelain tiles, compared with 6% for stoneware ones.” This may seem like just another characteristic on the list of specifications, but it is more than this.

Does porcelain tile need to be sealed?



The surface of most ceramic and porcelain tile does not need to be sealed, although some require a light application of a penetrating sealer to fill the micro pores on the surface of the tile. However, the grout joint between the tiles is usually very porous and generally made of a cement-based material.

Are porcelain tiles cold in winter?

Porcelain tiles retain heat well. Due to the makeup of the material the tiles are insulating so once the heat has risen through they will retain their heat very well and keep your room warmer for longer.

What are the disadvantages of ceramic tiles?

If there are any drawbacks to this durable, elegant flooring, it is that it can be hard and cold, and is somewhat tricky for DIYers to install. Ceramic tiles have a hard, solid surface, that does not attract or hold onto dirt, dust, pollen, or other allergens.

What are the advantages of porcelain tiles?

The Benefits of Porcelain Tile

  • Resists wear: Porcelain tile is highly resistant to wear and tends to last better over the years than standard ceramic tile does. …
  • Low Maintenance: …
  • They’re beautiful: …
  • Excellent for high traffic use: …
  • Offered in a wide range of styles: …
  • Highly durable: …
  • More moisture resistant: …
  • Simple to clean:

Is ceramic tile OK for bathroom floor?



Ceramic tile is one of the top choices for the bathroom floor. It’s impervious to moisture, stands up to stains and won’t absorb bacteria or odors. It’s a great choice for a bathroom that gets a lot of traffic. Ceramic tile comes in a wide range of colors and designs for a sleek, luxurious look.

How long does porcelain tile last?

50 years

Given its superior durability, porcelain is an incredible investment. If you’ve chosen porcelain tile for your project, you can relax knowing that with simple cleaning, your porcelain tiles could last as much as 50 years or more!

Are porcelain tiles too heavy for walls?

The truth is that standard walls are not designed to cope with heavy loads and are barely suitable to cope with the weight of porcelain tiles let alone heavy natural stone tiles, so it’s the wall construction which needs addressing not the tile material.

Can you install porcelain tile without grout?



Well, the short answer would be a simple no – you should not attempt to install tile without grout.

Is polished porcelain tile slippery in shower?

Most concerns about having polished tiles in the home revolve around how slippery these tiles will be under foot, but in fact they are no more or less slippery than matt tiles.

Is polished porcelain OK for bathroom floor?

Kitchens, floors, walls… pretty much anywhere you’d use a normal tile! And how about bathrooms? Well, by their very nature polished tiles are more slippery than a matt or textured tile, but as long as you take care with wet feet, there’s no reason not to lay them on a bathroom floor.

Is polished porcelain safe for bathroom floors?

Porcelain tiles are suitable as flooring because of their distinct absorption rate that is less than 0.5 percent. And since the tiles are compact, they are stronger and more resilient to staining. Many houses have porcelain tile installation in floors and outdoor areas.