Is porcelain or ceramic better for floors?

Known as the most durable type of tile on the market, porcelain is harder, denser, tougher, and less porous than ceramic tile. Since porcelain tile can withstand heavy traffic over long periods of time, it works well as a flooring and countertop material.

Is porcelain good for kitchen floors?

Porcelain floor tile has sand added to the clay mixture and is made with heat and pressure to produce a tile that’s harder, denser and less porous than regular ceramic tile. It’s a good choice for high-traffic areas, kitchens and bathrooms. Any wear or scratches won’t show on unglazed porcelain.

Do porcelain floor tiles need to be sealed?

The surface of most ceramic and porcelain tile does not need to be sealed, although some require a light application of a penetrating sealer to fill the micro pores on the surface of the tile. However, the grout joint between the tiles is usually very porous and generally made of a cement-based material.

Is porcelain flooring expensive?

Porcelain tile is typically more expensive than ceramic and other popular flooring materials. Because of its hardness and durability, it wears so well that the tile may last for decades, which makes it a great value. Another factor adding to the cost of porcelain flooring is the labor cost of installation.

Who are the manufacturers of porcelain floor tiles?

Marazzi is the first Italian-owned company to manufacture tiles in the U.S. They are known for high-quality, premium ceramic and porcelain tiles, but they also are notable for sustainable manufacturing practices. Interceramic is one of the largest manufacturers of traditional ceramic and porcelain tiles.

How much does porcelain floor tile cost per square foot?

Now, the costs for porcelain floor tiles tend to be comparable to that of good-quality standard ceramic tiles. For the tile alone, you can normally expect to pay $5 to $25 or more per square foot for porcelain floor tiles, although big-box home improvement centers often have remarkable bargains on porcelain floor tiles.

What kind of flooring can porcelain tile mimic?

Design flexibility:Modern porcelain tiles can very convincingly mimic all sorts of traditional flooring materials, such as marble, granite, wood, or even steel, bamboo, or cork. Visually, these can be almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

What are the advantages of using porcelain floor tiles?

Benefits of Porcelain Floor Tiles. On balance, porcelain tiles are an excellent flooring choice with a number of important advantages: Design flexibility: Modern porcelain tiles can very convincingly mimic all sorts of traditional flooring materials, such as marble, granite, wood, or even steel, bamboo, or cork.

What kind of cleaner to use on porcelain floor tile?

You should always use a non-acidic, antibacterial cleaner for man-made tiles like porcelain. The Tile Shop’s Grout and Tile Neutral Cleaner and Antibacterial Cleaner are safe options for everyday use. One of the best things about porcelain is how easy it is to clean.

How to choose the best porcelain floor tile?

Porcelain Floor Tile 1 Color. Whether your tastes tend toward the neutral or the bold, find the perfect color of porcelain tile at The Tile Shop. 2 Shape. Large-format squares and rectangles, planks, penny rounds, hexagons, mosaics, chevrons—the selection of shapes is larger than ever. 3 Faux Finish. 4 Pattern. 5 Texture. 6 Finish.

How long does porcelain floor tile last for?

With proper installation and care, a porcelain tile floor can last for many years. This is one advantage of tile. While cheap options might be appealing at the time, a quality tile floor will last much longer and be well worth it in the long run. How do you clean porcelain floor tile?

What kind of clay is porcelain floor tile made out of?

Porcelain floor tile is made from heated, refined clay. It is either cut to shape from large sheets or pressed into a mold and then baked to achieve its hard durability.