What is better to choose for cladding floors, walls and other surfaces. Let’s find out the main characteristics of porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles to make it easier to make a choice
A wide range of construction and finishing materials allows you to choose the best for each individual object. When choosing tiles, the consumer has to decide what is better, porcelain stoneware or ceramic tiles. After all, these materials are very similar in material structure and technical indicators. To make the right choice, you need to study the strengths and weaknesses of ceramics, their technical properties, and operating features. Perhaps this is why some buyers initially mistakenly believe that ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware are the same thing, because it is almost impossible to determine the difference by appearance. In this article, we will consider the advantages, varieties, and scope of their application.
Ceramic tiles (tiles): production features, advantages and disadvantages
The tiles are produced by pressing the specified dimensions and then firing the mixture. The initial material includes clay, quartz sand and auxiliary substances. The surface of the dried tiles is covered with enamel, which should also be fired. Such tiles have low strength and can only be used on walls.
To create highly durable floor ceramic tiles, a powerful press is used, which reduces the porosity of the final product structure. The product is fired at high temperatures once, after the enamel has been applied. As a result, a more durable material is obtained, the enamel on the tile holds better, showing increased resistance to abrasion. Ceramic tiles made in this way can be used for laying on the floor.
The quality of the tiles produced depends on the number of firings and temperatures, the type of clay and the pressing force.
Advantages and disadvantages
The product has the following positive characteristics:
- long service life (at least 20 years);
- wide choice of colors, textures, images on the surface;
- environmental safety;
- moisture resistance – can be used in rooms with high humidity;
- the weight of the tile is 3-4 times lighter than that of porcelain stoneware;
- easy to process, drill and cut with conventional tools;
- affordable price.
The material also has its disadvantages:
- over time, the applied image may wear off and lose its original brightness;
- the tiles are relatively fragile, easily broken and chipped, for this reason, collections of large-format ceramic tiles are not produced;
- slippery surface – wet tiles are the cause of numerous household injuries.
Porcelain tiles: production features, advantages and disadvantages
The material is produced on the basis of similar components as ceramic tiles (clay, quartz sand, auxiliary compositions); using a specific technology, the mass is converted into a powder for pressing, into which mineral dyes are added.
- tiles are formed from the powder;
- The formed tiles are pressed and dried under very high pressure (up to 500 kg/cm2) to remove air bubbles and moisture;
- designs or glaze are applied to the surface (as needed, depending on the purpose of the finished product);
- the formed mass is fired at a temperature of about 1300oC;
- The surface of the porcelain stoneware is sanded or polished (as necessary).
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of the material are:
- color stability throughout the entire period of operation (from 30 to 100 years);
- low moisture absorption rate, suitable for wet areas, can be used outdoors or on an open balcony;
- high density and strength, porcelain stoneware is not subject to mechanical impacts, cracks and chips;
- frost resistance to low temperatures, withstands up to 300 freezing cycles;
- ecological purity – contains only natural ingredients;
- a large selection of textures, colors and sizes for floors and walls, large-format tiles are produced in a maximum size of up to 160×320 cm.
There are also some disadvantages:
- fragility of the material – during transportation and careless installation it is easy to break the tile;
- the material is difficult to cut, drill and make cuts at an angle of 45 degrees;
- high weight – the final product is very heavy;
- high cost, which is associated with complex production technology.
Ceramic tiles or porcelain tiles: the nuances of choice
So what is the difference between tiles and porcelain tiles?
The characteristics of the materials determine their main tasks. It is recommended to make a choice based on knowledge of the properties and scope of application of the finished product. Thus, porcelain stoneware can be laid outdoors (balcony, terrace, veranda, etc.), because it has excellent resistance to atmospheric phenomena, including sudden temperature changes, ultraviolet radiation, high humidity.
Ceramic tiles should be used indoors so that their surface does not deteriorate or suffer from environmental factors.
What is better for the floor
Many users ask experts: what is better, porcelain stoneware or floor tiles? The answer depends on the place of application of the material.
The glazed surface of the tile is very slippery, which can be dangerous for damp areas on the floor in the hall, balcony or bathroom. It will regularly become dirty, worn down and abraded. Sand, dirt – all this leads to damage to the smooth surface and a reduction in service life.
Expert advice:
For finishing the floor in rooms of various purposes, it is recommended to use only porcelain stoneware. It can withstand impacts from falling kitchen utensils and other household items, does not slip and does not lose color.
What is better for the bathroom
Depending on the place of application in the bathroom, porcelain stoneware or ceramic tiles are used. The choice is usually based on the following knowledge:
- bathroom walls are constantly exposed to moisture and steam, but ceramic tiles can withstand all of this. In addition, they are relatively light in weight, which allows you to cover large surfaces without the risk of them collapsing;
- For flooring, you should choose matte porcelain stoneware: it does not slip and does not deteriorate as a result of physical and mechanical impact. Manufacturers often create sets with identical colors and patterns so that users can select finishing materials for the bathroom in a single style and color combination.
What is better for the kitchen
As with bathroom tiling, you can choose suitable sets of tiles (for walls) and porcelain tiles (for floors) for the kitchen. Modern designs often involve tiling the countertop, kitchen backsplash and island. For this purpose, it is recommended to use ceramic tiles for the backsplash: their light weight, size and attractive appearance will allow you to create a unique interior.
Large-format polished porcelain stoneware is used for the countertop and island cladding.
Recommendations from experts
For walls and floors, we recommend choosing ceramic tiles or porcelain tiles from the same collection: the material has the same density, it will be easier for the master to work with it, drill and saw. Having weighed all the pros and cons, we recommend tiling the floor and walls with porcelain tiles, it has no restrictions for gluing places, has high wear resistance and a wide range of colors and sizes.