When it comes down to it, the difference is really in the clay used to create the tiles. Porcelain is used with the highest quality clay, while ceramic is made with lower quality clay, with other natural resources added in for stability. But there are some other differences as well, that can affect your own use of this flooring material.
For instance, when it comes to ceramic & porcelain, porcelain has a lower water absorbance rating. That means it will be much more water resistant than ceramic. It is even boiled in water and rated as to how much water was absorbed after five hours. Ceramic, however, is still water resistant.
Both ceramic & porcelain tile are durable, with porcelain being a bit more so than ceramic. Porcelain is not only denser than ceramic, but it also has a through-body composition that makes it more durable in heavy traffic situations. A chip in ceramic tile will show a color that is different on the inside, while chipped porcelain is barely noticeable, because it is the same color through and through.
You’ll find that the density of porcelain means that it is also harder to cut, as it is more brittle. For this reason, it’s best to leave this job to a professional tile installer, especially if you are working within a budget. We think you’ll be glad that you did.