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Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles?

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So what is the difference between Ceramic & Porcelain?

Porcelain tiles are fired at a higher temperature than Ceramic tiles this gives the ‘bisque’ of the tile extra strength. For example a normal ceramic tile will be heated between 800-950 degrees where as a porcelain tile of upwards of 1200 degrees.

 

The main difference between the two is the pressure put on the bisque of the tile when they are pressed. Porcelain can be pressed at double the pressure of a ceramic tile which is also why porcelain tiles are a lot less porous and can be used inside as well as outside as they will not absorb the same amount as a ceramic tile would. Alongside this due to porcelains low pourisity when fixing you need to make sure you are using a suitable adhesive to get a sufficient fix between the tile and the substrate that you are fixing too.

 

The visual difference between the two can be seen if you hold a porcelain tile on its side you will see that it will be the same colour all the way through, where as on a ceramic tile the bisque of the tile will be different to the glaze covering.

Key facts in short

• Porcelain is pressed at a higher rate than ceramic, which makes it less pourous and gives it additional strengh

•Porcelain is heated (fired) at at least 300 degrees hotter than a ceramic tile

• If installed correctly a Porcelain floor tile will last more than a lifetime where as a ceramic floor tile will be well work after 15-20 years of use.

• Different adhesives are needed to fix Porcelain tiles due to them not being as pourous as a ceramic tile.

 

 

 

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