Are porcelain and ceramic tiles different?

Yes, and although porcelain is a type of ceramic, the two behave differently in various installations. It's essential to remember that something is considered a ceramic tile if it includes clay, and they're all a little different. See the almost unlimited number of designs at our showroom for tile flooring in Georgetown, KY; we carry such brands as Dal-Tile, and Mohawk.

Porcelain’s different construction

Porcelain is made of a non-porous clay called Kaolin, together with sand and glass, and fired at higher temperatures than others, making it heavier, denser, and stronger. This is ideal as tile flooring for busy, heavily foot trafficked rooms like the kitchen. It also has low water absorption, so it can be used outside on decks, patios, and pool floors to withstand the most severe weather.

Just as stylish as it is functional, this large format tile comes in countless colors and designs. It can be made to look like anything, including fabric and leather, and is the preferred choice for wood-and-stone look tile. It can also be used on walls, and tub/shower surrounds.

What is a ceramic tile?

We're all familiar with the 4 X 4 square, which is highly designed and glazed. These are great for indoor, moderately busy floors and are often used on walls, countertops, fireplace surrounds, and shower/tub surrounds.

Mosaics are tiny (even sometimes 1 X 1) pebble-like pieces that are highly decorative and often glass-coated. These durable, mold-and-mildew-resistant pieces are often used mainly as accents, but they've risen in popularity recently for application on bathroom floors.

Terracotta bricks are used inside and outside because the beautiful reddish-brown color works so well in rustic decor, which is currently trending hot. These are ultra-durable but require sealing to make cleaning easier. Subway tiles, the formerly all-white rectangles often seen on backsplashes, now come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. They can be used on indoor low traffic floors like the bedroom.

Since 1980, Oser Paint & Flooring has been the go-to for all things flooring and home improvement. Come into our showroom in Georgetown, KY, servicing Georgetown, Lexington, Paris, and Cynthiana. Ask about our free tile flooring quotes.