porcelain tile vs glazed ceramic (floor, color, installed, better)

[Jsollis]

I was wondering what is better to put down, either porcelain of glazed ceramic. I would like to know why one is better than the other.

[TrapperL]

There are pluses and minuses for both. Porcelain requires a much better adhesive to make it stick. You'll use a polymer modified thinset with porcelain. The tile itself does not like to absorb any water which means it takes more than just plain cheap thinset to make it stick and stay. Ceramic does not require the better thinset. Porcelain will wear a lot better and is less prone to chipping. If it chips, the core is usually the same color as the tile or close to it. Ceramic doesn't wear as well and if you chip it, the core will show and it's normally a burnt orange color. If the color of tile was the same, I'd have the porcelain over the ceramic any day. If you are considering put any tile floor down, make sure to look at the newer high definition tiles.Most of the "normal colored" tiles will just blend together once laid in a room. The hi def tiles will show up like each individual tile is different. Makes a huge difference the look and value of the tile installed. If having it installed, most contractors will assume you're going to want a 1/2" grout line. It makes good tile look like a commercial tile. Opt for much smaller grout lines. I prefer 1/8" on all of our installs. Make sure to make the distinction when contracting for the work.

Hi Def tile with 1/8" grout, porcelain

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Porcelain is more expensive and much harder. You'll need a good saw to cut it. Because it is harder, it doesn't break as easily. My tile setter charges slightly more to set porcelain because it is harder, takes longer to cut, and wears out his saw faster (the tile blades are expensive)

Ceramic tiles can come in lots of bright colors. The glaze can be chipped off and the tile is softer so it breaks more easily. It tends to be a lot less expensive, unless you are buying hand painted tiles. There are some places where the bright colors are just right for the spot.

If you are going to pay for porcelain, buy the ones where the color is the same all through the body of the tile. Chips will not show on those. It used to be that all porcelain was color through the body, but in the last few years it has been possible to buy porcelain that just has a coat of color on the top. Those are cheaper to manufacture.

If you are going to pay someone to set tile for you, buy the good quality porcelain tiles not the cheap ones that only have color on the top.