Ceramic tiles are softer and more absorbent that porcelain.
Ceramic is a popular material for bathroom floors. Homeowners often choose ceramic layouts because the material is highly durable and of greater quality than vinyl, but does not have the expense or moisture problems of stone tile. However, there is more than one ceramic tile and homeowners will need to choose between normal ceramic materials and porcelain, which is a denser version of ceramic.
Ceramic
Ceramic material is a type of clay that is cut into tiles and heated in a factory oven in batches until they harden. Because ceramic materials are covered with a glaze before they are heated, they can be made into nearly any color, giving homeowners a wide range of options when choosing decorating patterns. Ceramic tiles are extremely heat resistant and can be used on the walls of the bathroom as well as the floors.
Porcelain
Porcelain is made out of clay just like ceramic tile, but the clay is carefully compressed before it is heated, and often contains a slightly different mixture of ingredients, a higher ratio of feldspar to clay. This makes the tiles much more dense than normal ceramic. Glazes can also be applied in the same way to porcelain, so homeowners have as many options of color. Some types of porcelain are dyed all the way through for fuller color that resists scratches.
Costs
Because porcelain tile is more complicated to make, it costs slightly more than ceramic tile. Ceramic tiles range between $4 and $8 per square foot, and porcelain versions are usually a couple dollars more, depending on manufacturer and location.
Moisture
Porcelain tiles usually have a water absorption rate of less than 0.05 percent, compared to ceramic tiles which have an absorption rate of around 3 percent or higher. This makes porcelain ideal for applications outdoors, where frost can destroy ceramics. Inside, porcelain tends to be better suited for bathrooms, where water will not freeze but still tends to soak into the floor.
Cutting
While porcelain tile is more dense and can resist more impact before shattering than ceramic, this characteristic also comes with problems. Porcelain tiles are very difficult to cut, and tend to crack more easily than the softer ceramic tile. For bathrooms that have many extra features or pipes that tile needs to be cut around, ceramic may be a better option.
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