Difference Between Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain Tiles

• Porcelain tiles are generally formed from clays using the dust-pressed process. This results in smooth, fine-grained, frost-resistant and dense tiles. Porcelain tiles might be glazed, matte, highly polished or unglazed. Using porcelain tiles gives you the ability to re-create the look of many types of stone without the maintenance the real article would require. Depending on the location of the porcelain tile and your price range, give your home the look of marble, terracotta, slate or granite.

Through-Bodied Porcelain Tiles

• These types of unglazed porcelain tiles, sometimes called full-body tiles, display consistent composition, texture and color throughout the entire tile thickness. Through-bodied tiles are suitable for indoor and outdoor use, as well as for counter tops. The strength and freeze-resistance quality of these tiles make them suitable for heavily trafficked areas, whether at home or for commercial use. Through-body tiles are slip-resistant, making them a good choice for wet areas such as around the pool. Should the tile chip, the consistent color makes the damage less noticeable.

Glazed Porcelain Tiles

• Glazing is the application of a colored finish or layer of glass wear to machine-made tiles. The glazing might be very bright and shiny or have a more subdued matte finish. The glazing process provides the greatest variety in color and design use for porcelain tiles. Although glazed tiles are strong, they are not the best choice for commercial use or heavily trafficked areas, because a lot of wear and tear can damage the finish. Glazing protects the tile from moisture absorption and staining, making it a low-maintenance tile for floors, walls and counter tops. However, glazed tiles crack more easily than through-bodied tiles.

Natural Porcelain

• Natural porcelain tiles require no further processing once they leave the kiln. Also called honed porcelain, these tiles do not generally need sealing. For polished varieties of porcelain tile, sealing is usually recommended to close tiny surface pores caused by the polishing. Natural porcelain tiles are not recommended for heavily used areas.