Ceramic tiles are a sought-after choice among consumers remodeling their home interiors or exteriors. This preference for ceramic tiles is logical, since they are a cheap tiling solution and offer incomparable options in pattern and colors. However, there is some confusion when opting for ceramic tiles as people often confuse them with porcelain tiles. 

Ceramic vs Porcelain  

A porcelain tile is essentially a ceramic tile but it has different features, being made of a more refined material. The clay used for making porcelain tiles is purified to a greater extent and packed more closely, making them denser than standard ceramic tiles. 

Due to this, porcelain tiles are a bit more rugged in their appearance, stain to a lesser degree and have a lower tendency to absorb moisture. This makes them more suited for flooring applications that are exposed to a harsher environment in the outdoors. Porcelain tiles are recommended for external floor applications, both in extreme cold and hot climatic conditions. 

Whereas, ceramic tiles are recommended for indoor applications. Ceramic tiles usually offer either a glazed or an unglazed surface. Tiles with glazed surfaces are as reflective as glass. This makes them ideal for wall-based tiling needs. Unglazed ceramic tiles like Mosaic and Quarry tiles are better suited for indoor flooring needs.

Tips For Ceramic Tile Installation

• The PEI factor of a tile defines its scratch-resistance ability. For bathrooms and kitchens, tiles with a minimum PEI of 2 should be used
• Ceramic floor tiling needs a durable base preparation. If you are using linoleum for the base, use 6-inch screws or ring nails for holding the linoleum
• Ceramic tiles can be directly installed upon concrete. Ensure that the concrete floor is free of any dust or debris and is uniformly leveled