Should You Use Ceramic or Porcelain Tile?
Countless time in my career, I have been asked “What ceramic tile can we use on bath walls, backsplash, patio, kitchen and on and on”
My response is in the form of a question. Where are you installing? Floor? Wall? Backsplash? Patio?
When it comes to what tile to use on the wall, floor or patio, people have not a clue as to what to use. Customer enjoy it when a person explains what tile to use for their design projects.
Helping someone make a decision that will put their mind at ease and knowing they have made a good selection of ceramic tile for their design project is a very rewarding experience for me .
The buzz word for the last few years has been porcelain tile. That is all well and good if by looking at a ceramic tile we could tell the difference between a porcelain or non-porcelain tile. If a tile is not made of porcelain it is a ceramic tile. That assumption is correct.
Ceramic tiles are made from red clay and some from white clay. Red body tiles are easy to identify, where as white body tile are almost impossible to tell if it is porcelain or not.
Here is where the word of the tile manufacturer comes into play. Reputable tile manufacturers mark the tile boxes “porcelain” if they are porcelain.
The better ones, such as Dal-tile(R), Marazzi(R), Crossville(R), Porcelanosa(R), Emser(R) to name a few, label their tile porcelain if they are and ceramic if the tile is non-porcelain.
Porcelain tiles have a much lower water absorption rate than a ceramic tile. This is because they very dense. These tile are baked at temperatures from 1800 degrees for a surface colorered tile to 2200 degrees for a color through or thru body tile. Thru body procelains have the same color from front to back, thus a chip will not show as much as a tile that has only a surface coloring.
Procelain tiles can be used outside in climates where the temperatures get below 32 degrees. They are called frost resistent.
The density of a porcelain tile makes it suitable for residental and light commercial use. It is great to use on a patio that is exposed to the elements. Water will not damage it.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are wear rated by the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI). This system of rating tiles is approved by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ATSM).
They are as follows:
PEI 1 Rating (Not hard enough to walk on) Use on walls only.
PEI 2 Rating (Light traffic) Use on wall and bathroom floors only. A word of caution. the larger the tile, 6×6 8×8 on the floor may crack with prolonged foot traffic.
PEI 3 Rating (Light to moderate traffic) Use on kitchen and bath countertops, walls and floors where foot traffic is not heavy. (Residental)
PEI 4 Rating (Moderate to heavy traffic) Use in residental, medium commercial and light institutional.
PEI 5 Rating (Heavy to very heavy traffic) Use in all residential plus heavy commercial (malls, airports) and institutional application. (prisions).
Porcelain tiles, with a PEI 5 rating means they are very resistant to chipping or cracking.
Value is added to the value of a home when Ceramic tile are added. Installinf ceramic or porcelain tile in a home adds value to the home making it easier to sell.
One of the best benefits for a homeowner is the low cost of maintaining tile floors. Ease of care with tile assures a homeowner of a relaxed lifestyle.
About the Author
From Alan – Ceramic tile is not to easy to install. I found an installation video for anyone who wants to learn how to install ceramic tile and save hundreds of dollars. This ceramic tile installation video offers practical help in the form of a downloadable instructional video. Tile installation is easier with professional advice from this experienced tile installer. Available at => http://hopurl.com/61998
Using the Chi Volumizer Red Ceramic Flat Iron
|
|
FROG~RED BLACK~Golden Pond Ceramic Sculpture~Realistic Garden Art $12.75 |
|
|
Juweela 1/35, 1/32 Bricks – Medium Brick-Red (Material: Ceramic) 100pcs $5.81 |
|
|
Juweela 1/35,1/32 Roof Tiles Flat Bricks Round – Old Brick-Red (Ceramic) 250pcs $10.26 |
|
|
XB244B Red Ceramics Copper Coated Beads Alloy Snake Chain Bracelet Bangle $7.50 |
|
|
Ed Hardy Quartz Pristine Red Stainless Steel and Ceramic Bracelet WATCH MSRP$180 $109.99 |
|
|
Vintage 1950s Nonworking Ceramic Red Horse Head Television Lamp • Estate Item $15.50 |
|
|
Fish Tank Dark Red Plastic Water Plant Ceramic Base Ornament 10 Pcs $13.62 |
|
|
5x red snowman glossy Hand-Painted Porcelain ceramic Beads 16*17 mm bca45 $0.01 |
|
|
New! Kyocera Ceramic Peeler Red Japan $16.00 |
|
|
Fish Tank Ceramic Base 17.7″ High Red Green Plastic Water Plants $16.36 |
|
|
5x red coat glossy Hand-Painted Porcelain ceramic Beads 20*21 mm bca15 $0.01 |
|
|
5x red coat glossy Hand-Painted Porcelain ceramic Beads 20*20 mm bca14 $0.01 |
|
|
New Kyocera RED 14cm/5.5″ Fine-Ceramic Santoku Knife,From Japan $45.00 |
|
|
Red Green Plastic Ceramic Base Plant Fish Tank Ornament $9.51 |
|
|
Juweela 1/35, 1/32 Bricks – Light Brick-Red (Material: Ceramic) 100pcs $5.81 |
|
|
Juweela 1/35, 1/32 Roof Tiles Flat Bricks Round – Dark Brick-Red (Ceramic) x100 $7.77 |
|
|
Juweela 1/35, 1/32 Roof Tiles Flat Bricks Sharp – Old Brick-Red (Ceramic) 250pcs $10.26 |
|
|
Juweela 1/35,1/32 Roof Tiles Flat Bricks Round – Medium Brick-Red (Ceramic) x250 $10.26 |
|
|
VTG.(RARE) SALT & PEPPER SHAKERS “BLACK/RED/GOLD CERAMIC DONKEY W/MONEY BAGS ” $16.99 |
|
|
20pcs Red Flower Ceramic Charms Beads Fit Bracelet Findings 150669 On Sale $0.01 |
|
|
-12 – RED PEPPER CERAMIC BOWLS $60.00 |
|
|
Vintage White Ceramic Mouse with Red Heart Bell $0.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE Reproduction Black Lady Ceramic Bell – red $5.00 |
|
|
ANGEL WINGS DEVIL HORNS GIRL PINK CERAMIC Vintage Birthday PROM GIFT RED Head $2.95 |
|
|
Red Brown Ocher Glazed Planters Trio Set of 3 Ceramic Pots Home Garden Patio $58.99 |
|
|
NEW Red Carbon Fiber Silver Wire Ceramic Band Rings Width 8mm Size 9 L68 $0.99 |
|
|
8×6 Chinese Bird Art_RED CROWNED CRANE-3_Ceramic Tile $16.99 |
|
|
THE DANBURY MINT RED HAT SOCIETY 2008 ANNUAL ORNAMENT CERAMIC PURPLE CAR $12.00 |
|
|
RED DRAGON MIRROR CERAMIC QUARTZ POCKET MEN’S WATCHES $0.01 |
|
|
10 x Artificial Ceramic Base Red Fuchsia Plastic Plants for Fish Tank $7.92 |
|
|
Art Decor Ceramic Plate 11.5″ Mosaic Glass Red Brown $27.28 |
|
|
Vintage Ceramic Dog Dachshund Dish IDA Pottery Speckled Orange Red On White EXC $28.00 |
|
|
LADY HEAD FACE Porcelain/Ceramic-Look pin brooch RED Hat Flapper Glitzy Figural $19.00 |
|
|
a red japan bowl with flower on it ceramics very old buy it now $4.99 |
|
|
ceramics&porcelain vases of ducks made in china red on it botton $4.99 |
|
|
1 Red Ceramic School Lunch Tray Doll Food Accessory For American Girl Dolls $7.95 |
|
|
Letter Ceramic Collegiate Varsity Initial Pin Red “G” $9.95 |
|
|
Aquarium Dark Red Plastic Plant Ornament w Ceramic Base $3.90 |
|
|
TWO PART Easy Vape Vaporizer Replacement Whip with Ceramic Screen Vapor Red! $24.95 |
|
|
TEA POT RED M & M PLAIN MARS GALERIE ADORABLE CERAMIC $5.99 |
|
|
Red Yellow Ceramic Pepper Fridge Surface Magnetic Sticker $3.51 |
|
|
Bread Roll Bun Biscut Ceramic Relief Red Tile Portuguese Bakery Hand Made Art $29.00 |
|
|
Bones CERAMIC Reds Precision Skateboard Bearings NEW $50.00 |
|
|
Peanuts Snoopy Ceramic Cup Mug Red $21.99 |
|
|
Red Hat Lady with Purple Dress and Polka-dot Hat Ceramic Head Vase $9.95 |
|
|
ANTIQUE CERAMIC PLATE ” DOVEDALE ” PATTERN BOOTHS BLUE RED GOLD $24.00 |
|
|
RED DRAGON MIRROR CERAMIC QUARTZ POCKET MEN’S WATCHES $0.99 |
|
|
RED SALT & PEPPER SHAKERS SET CERAMIC CHERRY APPLE BRIGHT RED $4.99 |
|
|
Gorgeous “Jalapeno” Handpainted Ceramic Jug/Pottery in Red, 8×8 $0.99 |
|
|
FHI Heat Go Ceramic Tourmaline Styling Iron 1″ Red $0.99 |
|
|
BEAUTIFUL STRAND OF GREEN / RED COLOR CERAMIC GLASS INDIAN BEAD NECKLACE $29.95 |
|
|
KQC Red Devil Ceramic Flat Iron Hair Straightener – FREE SHIPPING at BUY IT NOW $79.95 |
|
|
Starbucks Christmas Coffee Mug 2011 White Red Green Mittens Bird Ceramic 10Oz Pr $16.50 |
|
|
Ceramic Base Silicone Manmade Coral Ornament Red Yellow for Fish Tank $13.97 |
|
|
New Sram Red rear derailleur Black Box w/ ceramic bearings $199.99 |
|
|
Vintage Holt Howard Red Rooster Egg Cup Ceramic Coq Rouge $9.99 |
|
|
SRAM RED BB30 Bottom Bracket Ceramic Bearing 30mm Spindle NEW $85.97 |
|
|
Ceramic Base Green Plastic Stem Red Lotus Flower Plants Decor $11.72 |
|
|
VTG Lowe Alpine Waterproof TRIPPLE POINT Ceramic Red Jacket Womens M Med Medium $100.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE RETRO OVAL CERAMIC/PORCELAIN TRINKET BOX WITH LARGE RED ROSE – 7 ” LONG $9.95 |
|
|
Boker Soft Touch Ceramic Peeler New Original Packaging $14.99 |
|
|
Adorable Textured KITTEN Kitty Cat w/Red Bow Green Eyes Vintage Ceramic $9.50 |
|
|
CERAMIC INSPIRATION MAGNET, “THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL IS..LOVE”, WHITE/RED, NEW $2.49 |
|
|
White Duck Pitcher Decorative Ceramic Glazed Goose Red Bow Tie Cream Pitcher $14.95 |
|
|
3″ Convenient Holding Handle Design Ceramic Knife Red #YDSHJF41R $11.72 |
|
|
Ceramic Knife Set Fruit Knife + Peeling Knife Red #YDSHJ0022R $12.85 |
|
|
Vintage WALL Mount PLANTER Ceramic RED THERMAL UNDERWEAR LONG JOHNS Pajamas 8″ $9.99 |
|
|
Ceramic Rooster Chicken Figure Red/Black/Grey/Yellow 9″ by 6 1/2″ $4.99 |
|
|
Farouk CHI Guitar RED Ceramic Hairstyling Iron, GF1227, NIB $109.87 |
|
|
TBB 1 Porcelain/Ceramic 31x26mm Black/Honey/Red Curved Heart-Shaped Bead $0.99 |
|
|
Set of 3 Ceramic Ashtrays – Smooth Finish – Deep – Red, Blue and Green $7.98 |
|
|
4x Ceramic Cube Beads 10mm Red Gemstone Bead $0.99 |
|
|
DISNEY Store MICKEY Mouse Red Ceramic Mug Cup MK-001 $0.99 |
|
|
Ceramic Strawberry Fridge Magnet Decoration Sticker Red $4.48 |
|
|
Handcrafted Porcelain Button 1″ Red Grape Clusters Green VInes CF1012 $6.00 |
|
|
LIMITED EDITION RED BLACK LACE PROFESSIONAL I.CHI CERAMIC FLAT IRON $124.99 |
|
|
LIMITED EDITION RED BLACK LACE PROFESSIONAL I.CHI CERAMIC FLAT IRON $125.99 |
|
|
Ungar Red Body Vintage Soldering Iron W/ 3 Unger Ceramic Element $9.99 |
|
|
black red + white triangle stripe design post dangle ceramic earrings jewelry $12.99 |
|
|
New! Ceramic Starbucks (Red) To Go Tumbler insulated $54.99 |
|
|
Aquarium Ceramic Base Red Green Plastic Arch Shaped Plants $11.49 |
|
|
3 PERSON SAUNA RED CEDAR FAR Infrared 7 Carbon Heaters+1 Ceramic Floor Heat New $1,948.87 |
|
|
2 PERSON SAUNA RED CEDAR FAR Infrared 7 Carbon Heaters+1 Ceramic Floor Heat New $1,748.87 |
|
|
4 PERSON SAUNA RED CEDAR FAR Infrared 8 Carbon Heaters+2 Ceramic Floor Heat New $2,148.87 |
|
|
Vogue 1pairs Rose red Soft Ceramic Frangipani Handmade white Jewelry Earring $0.01 |
|
|
RED AZTEC CALENDAR~~Mexican Ceramic Art Centerpiece $53.96 |
|
|
10Pc Red Murano Porcelain Ceramic Rondelle Charm European Bead Big Hole Loose $3.88 |
|
|
Vintage Cuckoo Clock Red Bird Wall Pocket Planter Victoria Ceramic n Pulls Japan $9.99 |
|
|
Texas Tech Red Raiders 14oz. Logo Design Ceramic Mug $13.95 |
|
|
got pottery? CLAY CERAMICS EARTHENWARE TEE T-SHIRT $13.98 |
|
|
got pottery? CLAY CERAMICS EARTHENWARE TEE T-SHIRT $13.98 |
|
|
got pottery? CLAY CERAMICS EARTHENWARE TEE T-SHIRT $13.98 |
|
|
got pottery? CLAY CERAMICS EARTHENWARE TEE T-SHIRT $13.98 |
|
|
got pottery? CLAY CERAMICS EARTHENWARE TEE T-SHIRT $16.98 |
|
|
got pottery? CLAY CERAMICS EARTHENWARE TEE T-SHIRT $16.98 |
|
|
FOUR Red CERAMIC KITCHEN CANISTERS- Latched Lid- Spoon- Flour Sugar Coffee Tea $19.99 |
|
|
Red Ceramic Apple Style Refrigerator Magnetic Sticker $4.38 |
|
|
KYARA 2 OZ MINI CERAMIC CANDLE-JAPANESE ALOESWOOD RARE AMBER-SENSUAL PERFUME $0.99 |
|
|
5pcs Red /Black Porcelain Ceramic Murano European beads Fit Charm Bracelet PDE7 $0.01 |
|
|
Firefighter Bobble Buddy Photo Frame, red, ceramic, 2.5″x2.5″ HOT STUFF $1.95 |
|
|
Lodge Logic L8SGP3 Pre-Seasoned Square Grill Pan $20.97 Lodge L8SGP3 Square Cast Iron Grill PanLodge L8SGP3 Square Cast Iron Grill Pan Features:; Rubbed bottom cast iron grill pan; Lets you keep foods from simmering in fatty drippings; Seasoned and ready to use; Square; 10-1/2″ x 1-3/8″; 8 lbs… |
|
|
Trudeau Melamine Mixing Bowls, Set of 3 $14.96 Have fun in the Kitchen!! Trudeau’s set of 3 melamine mixing bowls are functional and attractive. Bright warm tones will cheer you as you mix your brownie batter, scramble your eggs or any other mixing you might do. The bowls are made of a durable melamine and come with a non-slip bottom so your bowls stay put as you are working. 1.5 / 2.0 / 3.0 L. Dishwasher safe, not for use in microwave…. |
|
|
Fred M Cup Measuring Matroyshkas, Set of 6 Dry Measuring Cups $7.80 These Russian Doll Measuring Cups are exactly what you need to doll up your kitchen with some old country charm! Why use boring, washed-up utensils when you can have these adorable stacking measuring cups? Designed to nest inside each other like traditional matryoshkas, these white measuring cups are a must-have for any stylish kitchen. Our charming set comes with 3 matryoshkas — the tops measure… |
|
|
Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Multifunction Sharpener $7.03 ATTRIBUTES Grit: Coarse/Medium Material: Carbide Ceramic & Diamond Special Features: Tapered Diamond Rod For Sharpening Serrated and Straight Edges Carbide Blades Quickly Set Your Edge Ceramic Stones Give You A Razor Sharp Edge Reversible and Replaceable Carbide Blades and Ceramic Stones Lanyard Hole Type: Hand Held… |
|
|
Umbra Wallflower Wall Décor, Set of 25, White $19.99 Product FeaturesSet of 25 easy-to-hang wall décor flowersEach flower mounts to the wall with a simple snap-in tack for endless configurations; magnetic conversion kit also availableMolded polypropylene; available in black or white (opaque), pink, sky blue, or kiwi green (translucent)Five sizes of flowers ranging from 2.5″ x 2.5″ x 1″ to 4.5″ x 4.5″ x 2.5″Design: Marion Lanktree Product Descript… |
|
|
Modern Single Handle Waterfall Bathroom Vanity Vessel Sink LED Faucet, Chrome $23.85 The amazing aspect of the LED faucet is temperature sensor and three groups of small LED lights around the spout. When the water flows through the glass tray, the temperature sensor could detect the water temperature and reflect the result to the circuit, thus the lights which could illustrate the different temperature range could be controlled easily. Therefore, you could only “see” the water tem… |
|
|
HSI 1 CERAMIC TOURMALINE IONIC FLAT IRON HAIR STRAIGHTENER FREE HEAT CASE & GLOVE. DUAL VOLTAGE 110/220 IDEAL FOR TRAVEL $49.99 The PROFESSIONAL HSI Flat Iron is great for transforming frizzy, dull hair into gorgeously straight, sleek locks. Aside from straightening, the PROFESSIONAL HSI Flat Iron curls and flips hair beautifully, its 1″ plates giving maximum control for all hair types. With flash quick heating and swivel cord, this iron provides great style without making a mess or taking too much time. Featuring new easi… |
|
|
Revlon Tourmaline Ionic Hair Dryer $29.99 Lighten up, the Revlon Tourmaline Ionic Hair Dryer is here to give your hair a holiday. This deluxe dryer is lightweight, lean, and durable. It features ionic tourmaline technology that will help protect your hair without drying it out. Two heat and two speed settings let you control the temperature and airflow to fit your style specifications. The diffuser attachment will keep your curls under co… |
|
|
CHI 1 Original Ceramic Style Flat Iron by Farouk $43.34 The original CHI 1″ Hairstyling Iron An ideal tool for all your creative styling and finishing needs |
|
|
Incase Nylon Campus Pack for up to 15 MacBook Pro – Port / Red Clay / Ceramic $53.99 The Incase Nylon Campus Backpack is the perfect carrying solution for all your essentials. The Nylon Campus Backpack features a plush faux-fur lined notebook compartment that will fit up to a 15″ MacBook Pro as well as an interior slip pocket for an iPad. It also features padded back panels and shoulder straps, top-loading handle and zippered storage and quick-access pockets…. |
