Porcelain vs. Ceramic

Choosing the right type of flooring for your home tops the list as one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a homeowner. When it comes to considering flooring what the floor looks like is often the first thought that comes to mind. Though we agree that appearance is important, it’s actually the type of flooring material you choose that matters most. The most common flooring tile choices are porcelain and ceramic. Both offer pros and cons but one, in particular, seems to win out as the overall best choice for tile flooring.

Best Tile for High Moisture Areas: Porcelain

Porcelain tile is hands down the best tile choice for rooms with high moisture content because it absorbs less than 0.5% of moisture. Ceramic tile and other flooring choices absorb more than 0.5% moisture. We’re not saying ceramic tile is out of the questions for high moisture areas of the home, but if you want a floor with a longer shelf life porcelain is the way to go. Rooms with high moisture content include bathrooms, kitchens, and mudrooms.

Best Tile for High Traffic Areas: Porcelain

Moisture absorption is an important factor in high traffic areas, too. Durability is also essential and once again, porcelain wins against ceramic. Porcelain is a denser tile than ceramic and has a longer resistance against wear and tear.

Best Tile for DIYers: Ceramic

Porcelain may last longer but you’ll likely need a professional flooring installation. The denser material makes it tougher to cut through porcelain. The Tile Council of North America, better known as TCNA, advises that porcelain is harder to adhere to floors than all other tile types. Ceramic is the safer bet if you plan to install the tile yourself.

Best Tile for Budget: Ceramic

There’s a reason porcelain is known as a high-end choice for flooring. Porcelain’s added benefits comes with a higher price tag than ceramic tiles. However, if you’re looking to save in long-term flooring costs rather than the upfront cost, porcelain wins out because of its durability and moisture resistance.

Best Tile for Replacing Patio or Sunporch Flooring

If you want patio or porch flooring that’s a bit fancier than concrete or wood, porcelain is, once again, the best option. Ceramic tile is downright out of the question for homeowners living in areas with freezing temperatures unless you enjoy slipping and falling every time you walk outside. Even in our region where winter temps rarely get below freezing, ceramic is a risky move outdoors. Not only is ceramic unsafe, it won’t last any time outdoors.

Winner, Winner: Porcelain

It may be pricier than most other flooring types but there’s a reason for that! Porcelain is the best choice when it comes to looks, longevity, and durability. Even the higher cost could actually save you money in the long run because you won’t need to replace your flooring as often as you would with other tile choices.

Your cabinet and countertop choices directly impact the type and style of flooring you’ll choose. Luckily, you have a cabinet company that does more than just build high-end cabinets. We walk with you throughout the entire design process to help you coordinate your cabinetry, countertop and flooring materials. Get started designing your dream kitchen or bathroom with McCarley Cabinets today by dialing 662-728-1533 for a free project estimate.