Everyone loves things that look good, particularly if you are talking about tiling options. Porcelain is one of the types of ceramic characterised by its water resistant, tougher, and harder composition. In addition, the material is quite durable and is less porous than a standard ceramic tile. Porcelain tiles are actually harder than ceramic tiles and people usually prefer them, despite their higher price. The clay that is used to construct porcelain tiles is usually denser. They can be either unglazed or glazed. Opting for porcelain tiles has more inherent benefits than just the aesthetics. It is durable and flexible to fit in any part of your house, including the living area, bathroom, and kitchen countertops.
Porcelain Is Harder and Denser Compared to Other Materials
Porcelain tile is made of fine clay, fired at above-high temperatures to achieve a harder and more porous surface. Such property makes this tiling option ideal for high foot traffic areas, because of the heavy use.
Additionally, porcelain is less brittle and less dense, which makes them easier to install. Therefore, porcelain tile is the appropriate material if you want something that lasts longer than its recommended lifespan.
The material also has a grading system based on hardness and quality.
- PEI 0 – recommended as a wall tiling option
- PEI 1 – used for bathroom with very light traffic
- PEI 2 – applicable for bedroom and bathroom with light traffic
- PEI 3 – used in most homes with light to moderate foot traffic
- PEI 4 – suitable for areas with moderate to heavy traffic, including commercial spaces
- PEI 5 – for heavy traffic areas both in commercial and domestic settings.
Porcelain tile commonly has 3, 4, or 5 ratings, while the common ceramic tile grades are between 3 and 4. The inherent versatility of porcelain makes it the ideal material for your wall and flooring needs.
Also, its manufacturing process allows it to mimic all sorts of building materials with remarkable effectiveness. As a result, it is often hard to tell whether your tile is ceramic or some other material unless you take a close look at it.
Porcelain Tiles are Moisture, Stain, and Scratch-resistant
Unlike natural stones like marble and granite, porcelain tile is much better at resisting water. These tiles are the best materials for your wet rooms because of the moisture level found in these places.
Porcelain tiling options are also some of the easiest to maintain because of porcelain’s natural stain resistance factor. Glazed tiles, for instance, have a finish that makes them almost impervious to stains. As a result, the liquid will sit on the surface without being absorbed by the material.
And compared to other tiling varieties, porcelain tile is better at resisting scratches because it is made of a fine surface that does not easily get cut marks. In addition, porcelain tile is made from sand and clay, making it naturally dense and hard.
The components in making the tiles create a structure that makes it hard both inside and outside. Additionally, porcelain tiles are glazed, which adds to their durability. Finally, glaze coating is added to the surface, making the tile water and scratch-resistant.
Opting for porcelain material for your tiling needs is a great choice for aesthetics. But more than that, porcelain also adds value to your home because it absorbs moisture less, is virtually scratch-free, and does not acquire stains.
Porcelain is also much more durable than other tiling materials because a glaze coating reinforces it. Moreover, porcelain is a quality building material that takes all the cut for being low-maintenance and high-quality. It provides all the conveniences that you normally wouldn’t find from other tiling materials.
