Flooring type

Definition of Porcelain

Porcelain is a type of ceramic tile made from a combination of dense clay and other natural materials and combusted at very high temperatures. The two have some distinctive differences that determine their suitability for installation in different areas.

The following table compares porcelain to ceramic tile flooring.

Porcelain Tile Flooring Ceramic Tile Flooring
Can be installed on walls and floors Can only be installed on floors
Heavy, dense, and have more material strength Lightweight brittle, and prone to chipping and cracking
More expensive than ceramic tiles Cheaper than porcelain tiles
Impervious with a 0.5% water absorption rate Slightly porous hence it has a water absorption rate of 3–7%
Can be used indoors and outdoors Mostly used outdoors

As a non-porous material with uniform construction, porcelain is perfect for use in spaces where radiant heating solutions have been installed. The limited air pockets also make it extremely durable and very simple to clean and maintain. This can also be attributed to its natural water-resistant nature.

Sadly, the dense and heavy nature of porcelain makes it hard to work with, which may increase installation costs significantly.

Example of Porcelain in a Sentence

“To enjoy your porcelain floor tiles, you must have them installed by a professional flooring contractor.”

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