What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles? How should the porcelain versus ceramic tile debate influence your choice? Free pocelain and ceramic tile samples help...

1. Porcelain
versus
Ceramic Tiles
by Awnings-and-Blinds.com

2. Porcelain Tiles:
Porcelain tiles mostly consist of
refined white (or light tan) clay and
sand.
These tiles are pressure-treated and
subjected to high kiln temperatures.

3. Porcelain Tiles:
Therefore porcelain tiles are very
hard and need specialized
equipment for cutting.
However these tiles can take a lot of
wear and tear in high-traffic areas.

4. Porcelain Tiles:
Since they are so dense, porcelain
tiles are less likely to absorb
moisture. Because of this they are
very frost resistant. For the same
reason they are also highly
stainproof.

5. Porcelain Tiles:
People who prefer porcelain tiles
because they want a tile that
doesn't show chip marks easily, are
referring to full body porcelain tiles,
which carry the color all the way
through the body to the surface.

6. Porcelain Tiles:
However, most porcelain tiles
nowadays have a ceramic glaze
"design layer" over a porcelain
body, therefore the surface color
could differ to that of the body
underneath.

7. Ceramic Tiles:
Ceramic tiles consist of red, brown
or white clay. They are also kiln-
fired, but not at such high
temperatures as with porcelain tiles.

8. Ceramic Tiles:
Because ceramic tiles are porous
many ceramic tiles are glazed in
order to minimize water absorption.
Glazed ceramic tiles are very
durable.

9. Ceramic Tiles:
The type of glazing is important as
some tiles are too slippery for floors,
and should rather be used for walls.
Grade III or higher glazing makes
ceramic tiles highly resistant to
scratching and moisture.

10. Porcelain vs Ceramic Tiles
Read more and compare tile
samples here:
http://www.awnings-and-blinds.com/compare-samples/