June 16, 2025
The Great Tile Debate: Porcelain vs. Ceramic
We dive deep into the differences between porcelain and ceramic tiles to help you choose the right material for your home renovation projects. From composition and moisture resistance to durability and price points, we cover everything you need to know before making this critical design decision.
• Porcelain tiles use finer materials and are fired at higher temperatures (1,200-1,400°C) making them denser with less than 0.5% water absorption
• Ceramic tiles are fired at lower temperatures (700-1,000°C) with 3-7% water absorption, making them less suitable for wet areas unless properly glazed
• Porcelain offers superior durability, especially for high-traffic areas and can withstand freeze-thaw conditions outdoors
• Modern porcelain manufacturing techniques create realistic imitations of natural materials like stone and wood
• Ceramic tiles are more budget-friendly (starting at $0.50/sq ft vs. porcelain at $2/sq ft) and easier for DIY installation
• Kitchens and bathrooms generally benefit from porcelain's moisture resistance and durability
• Living rooms and bedrooms can use ceramic tiles effectively where moisture isn't a concern
• Commercial spaces with high traffic strongly benefit from porcelain's wear resistance
Call us at 614-543-8334 or visit www.belktile.com with any questions about your tile project. Find us on Facebook and Twitter at BelkTile and on Instagram at BelkTiles.
Chapters
00:00 - Intro: Common Tile Questions
01:04 - Porcelain vs. Ceramic: Core Differences
02:48 - Style, Budget, and DIY Considerations
04:58 - Room-by-Room Tile Recommendations
06:34 - Commercial Applications and Conclusion
07:34 - Episode Closing and Contact Info
Transcript
WEBVTT
00:00:01.824 --> 00:00:04.572
What kind of tile can you put on the wall or shower?
00:00:04.572 --> 00:00:06.046
Do you have to seal tile?
00:00:06.046 --> 00:00:08.788
How much extra tile should I buy for my project?
00:00:08.788 --> 00:00:11.388
What thinset is the best for my tile application?
00:00:11.388 --> 00:00:13.849
How hard is it to maintain natural stone?
00:00:13.849 --> 00:00:18.484
You have questions.
00:00:18.484 --> 00:00:20.070
We have answers.
00:00:20.070 --> 00:00:22.368
Welcome to the Belt Tile Podcast.
00:00:22.368 --> 00:00:32.651
How to style the bathroom, the backyard, the kitchen, how to improve your home style with tiles to make your home absolutely beautiful?
00:00:32.651 --> 00:00:35.362
Welcome to the Belk Tile Podcast.
00:00:35.362 --> 00:00:37.784
Here's your host, Mike Belk.
00:00:43.673 --> 00:00:45.816
Well, good morning Mike, or should I say afternoon.
00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:48.829
Haha, yes, we are getting a late start on this one, aren't we?
00:00:49.240 --> 00:00:49.682
That's okay.
00:00:49.682 --> 00:00:51.749
I understand you had a meeting run late this morning.
00:00:52.200 --> 00:00:56.871
Yes, had a factory rep stop by unannounced but really wanted to see the new products they were showing.
00:00:57.292 --> 00:00:57.853
Anything good.
00:00:58.280 --> 00:01:00.122
Of course, but we can get into that another time.
00:01:00.122 --> 00:01:03.848
But brings me to today's topic ceramic versus porcelain tiles.
00:01:04.409 --> 00:01:05.272
Oh, that's a good one.
00:01:05.272 --> 00:01:06.733
I get that question all the time.
00:01:11.219 --> 00:01:14.010
All right, porcelain versus ceramic this is one of those debates I've heard about for years in the tile world.
00:01:14.010 --> 00:01:18.227
At their core, both are made of clay, but it's the type of clay and the way it's processed that really sets them apart.
00:01:18.227 --> 00:01:25.941
Porcelain, for instance, uses finer, more refined materials like feldspar and quartz, and it's fired at much higher temperatures.
00:01:26.683 --> 00:01:28.688
Okay, so the high temperatures make it stronger?
00:01:28.828 --> 00:01:35.472
Exactly those higher temps, like 1,200 to 1,400 degrees Celsius, make porcelain super dense and way less porous.
00:01:35.472 --> 00:01:38.968
We're talking under 0.5% water absorption levels here.
00:01:38.968 --> 00:01:47.665
Compare that to ceramic, which is more in the 3% to 7% range because it's fired at lower temperatures, around 700 to 1,000 degrees.
00:01:48.287 --> 00:01:50.772
And that's why porcelain's better in bathrooms or kitchens.
00:01:50.772 --> 00:01:52.222
Right the moisture resistance.
00:01:52.683 --> 00:01:52.885
Right.
00:01:52.885 --> 00:01:58.147
If you ever see ceramic tiles warp or stain in a damp area, it's usually because water seeped through.
00:01:58.147 --> 00:02:04.287
On the flip side, glazed ceramic tiles do pretty well in moisture-prone areas, since the glaze acts as a protective barrier.
00:02:04.287 --> 00:02:07.493
But unglazed ceramic, that's a no-go for wet spaces.
00:02:08.280 --> 00:02:09.223
Oh, that's good to know.
00:02:09.223 --> 00:02:13.393
So technically you could use ceramic in a bathroom as long as it's glazed.
00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:14.061
Exactly.
00:02:14.061 --> 00:02:21.544
But and here's a quick story Back in the early days at Belk Tile I had a client who used the wrong ceramic tile in a bathroom remodel.
00:02:21.544 --> 00:02:25.990
It looked great at first, but within months the grout was practically screaming help.
00:02:25.990 --> 00:02:30.855
The tile wasn't glazed, so water seeped in and we had to redo the entire thing.
00:02:30.855 --> 00:02:34.890
I learned real quick to double-check tile recommendations for wet areas.
00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:37.449
Yikes, that's like a tile nightmare.
00:02:37.449 --> 00:02:41.405
So is durability kind of tied to this whole moisture resistance thing too.
00:02:41.866 --> 00:02:42.548
Yeah, pretty much.
00:02:42.548 --> 00:02:46.603
Ceramic tiles are softer so they're more prone to chipping under heavy foot traffic.
00:02:46.603 --> 00:02:52.227
Porcelain, though it's tougher, handles wear and tear better and can even work outside in freeze-thaw conditions.
00:02:52.227 --> 00:02:55.302
That density really makes a difference in durability.
00:02:55.783 --> 00:02:56.064
All right.
00:02:56.064 --> 00:02:58.751
So durability is clear, but what about style?
00:02:58.751 --> 00:03:03.706
When you're choosing between porcelain and ceramic, how much does the look really factor into the decision?
00:03:04.268 --> 00:03:05.308
It can be a huge factor.
00:03:05.308 --> 00:03:10.575
Porcelain has this almost magical ability to mimic natural materials stone, wood, you name it.
00:03:10.575 --> 00:03:16.299
Manufacturers are using advanced printing techniques to make these tiles look so realistic it's hard to tell the difference.
00:03:16.661 --> 00:03:17.443
Oh, absolutely.
00:03:17.443 --> 00:03:21.290
I've seen porcelain tiles that could pass for reclaimed wood planks.
00:03:21.290 --> 00:03:22.473
It's kind of mind-blowing.
00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:30.566
Yeah, exactly, With ceramic you can get some cool designs too, but they usually have a more, I guess, traditional aesthetic.
00:03:30.586 --> 00:03:36.379
It's not quite as versatile in pulling off those natural looks Right and I imagine that plays into budget as well Like if someone's trying to keep costs down.
00:03:36.379 --> 00:03:37.823
Ceramic might be the way to go.
00:03:38.310 --> 00:03:40.854
For sure, ceramic tiles are generally more affordable.
00:03:40.854 --> 00:03:47.884
Price ranges can start as low as 50 cents per square foot, whereas porcelain tiles usually begin around $2 per square foot and go up from there.
00:03:48.469 --> 00:03:52.360
And installation too right Like it's easier to work with ceramic if you're DIYing.
00:03:52.770 --> 00:03:53.431
Oh, absolutely.
00:03:53.431 --> 00:03:57.762
Ceramic is softer and easier to cut, so a DIYer can handle it with standard tools.
00:03:57.762 --> 00:03:59.626
Porcelain that stuff's tougher to cut.
00:03:59.626 --> 00:04:04.717
You really need a wet saw and if you're not careful you'll burn through blades Not exactly beginner-friendly.
00:04:05.299 --> 00:04:05.879
Makes sense.
00:04:05.879 --> 00:04:13.032
So a couple years ago I had this client in Connecticut beautiful old farmhouse and they wanted to redo the kitchen flooring.
00:04:13.032 --> 00:04:16.160
We spent weeks debating porcelain versus ceramic.
00:04:16.761 --> 00:04:17.002
Weeks.
00:04:17.002 --> 00:04:17.750
What was the holdup?
00:04:17.930 --> 00:04:20.197
Well, it came down to budget and style.
00:04:20.197 --> 00:04:24.454
They loved the idea of porcelain for its durability, but the cost was a little steep.
00:04:24.454 --> 00:04:28.329
In the end, we found this ceramic tile with a really great glaze.
00:04:28.329 --> 00:04:32.199
That gave it a kind of rustic look and it kept us within budget.
00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:33.762
That's a solid compromise.
00:04:33.762 --> 00:04:35.394
It's all about balancing priorities.
00:04:35.394 --> 00:04:40.716
If style and budget align with ceramic, it's still a great option, as long as you're putting it in the right space.
00:04:41.569 --> 00:04:48.341
Exactly, and that's why you need to weigh all the factors where it's going, how much traffic it'll get and whether you're trying to DIY or hire a pro.
00:04:48.341 --> 00:04:51.954
All right, so we've talked about budget, style and practicality.
00:04:51.954 --> 00:04:53.757
Now let's break it down room by room.
00:04:53.757 --> 00:04:57.504
Where does each tile shine and where, you know, might it not quite work?
00:04:58.245 --> 00:05:01.339
All right, starting with kitchens, porcelain is the champ here.
00:05:01.339 --> 00:05:04.540
It's durable and handles spills, greasy messes, you name it.
00:05:04.540 --> 00:05:09.540
If you're cooking up a storm or have kids running through, it's the tile that'll stand the test of time.
00:05:10.101 --> 00:05:10.682
Makes sense.
00:05:10.682 --> 00:05:13.512
But ceramic works too right Like, as long as it's glazed.
00:05:13.992 --> 00:05:26.653
Yeah, you're right, glazed ceramic can absolutely work, just not as bulletproof as porcelain if you're dealing with heavy traffic or you know potential damage from dropped pots and pans.
00:05:26.692 --> 00:05:27.134
What about bathrooms?
00:05:27.134 --> 00:05:30.264
Here's where I kind of feel porcelain has the edge, just because of the whole moisture factor Spot on.
00:05:30.524 --> 00:05:35.699
Porcelain's low porosity makes it a no-brainer in bathrooms, especially, you know, around showers or tubs.
00:05:35.699 --> 00:05:43.612
Ceramic can work on walls, though Less direct exposure to water.
00:05:43.632 --> 00:05:46.862
Just avoid it on floors and high-moisture areas unless you've got a really good glaze and sealant, good to know and living areas.
00:05:46.862 --> 00:05:50.797
Are we basically just choosing based on design, preferences and budget there?
00:05:51.358 --> 00:05:52.060
Pretty much, yeah.
00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:53.831
Living rooms, bedrooms, dining areas.
00:05:53.831 --> 00:06:00.603
They don't have the same stress from, you know, moisture or heavyware Ceramic tiles can thrive in those spots and they're easier on the wallet.
00:06:01.350 --> 00:06:01.610
Got it.
00:06:01.610 --> 00:06:04.740
And for people with outdoor spaces, I'm guessing porcelain wins again.
00:06:05.250 --> 00:06:07.983
Absolutely, especially in climates that have freeze-thaw cycles.
00:06:07.983 --> 00:06:10.992
Porcelain doesn't absorb water, so it won't crack in cold weather.
00:06:10.992 --> 00:06:15.141
Plus the textures, you can get non-slip finishes for patios, for example.
00:06:15.141 --> 00:06:16.783
They're just ideal for outdoor use.
00:06:21.990 --> 00:06:24.259
Okay, speaking of high traffic, like outdoor patios I heard you have a story about a commercial lobby upgrade.
00:06:24.279 --> 00:06:25.644
Oh yeah, that project was a game changer.
00:06:25.644 --> 00:06:29.637
We replaced the old ceramic tiles in this busy lobby with porcelain.
00:06:29.637 --> 00:06:33.273
The client was hesitant at first because you know the upfront costs were higher.
00:06:33.273 --> 00:06:41.199
But once I explained how the durability would pay off in the long run less chipping, less maintenance they were all in.
00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:42.242
And it worked out.
00:06:42.684 --> 00:06:43.507
Worked like a charm.
00:06:43.507 --> 00:06:48.701
We used these tiles designed to look like marble gave it a high-end look without the high-end maintenance.
00:06:48.701 --> 00:06:50.153
Months later I checked in.
00:06:50.153 --> 00:06:53.081
It handled the foot traffic like a champ and they loved the design.
00:06:53.810 --> 00:06:58.197
You see, that's the perfect example of weighing priorities durability, cost and aesthetics.
00:06:58.718 --> 00:06:59.180
Exactly.
00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:04.658
Whether it's a commercial space or your home, it always comes down to matching the tile to the space's needs.
00:07:05.278 --> 00:07:05.540
All right.
00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:10.778
So to wrap this up, porcelain is your go-to for moisture durability and heavy traffic.
00:07:10.778 --> 00:07:16.257
Ceramic is, you know, your budget-friendly, design-flexible option in lower-stress environments.
00:07:16.257 --> 00:07:17.040
Did I nail it?
00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:23.577
Couldn't have said it better myself, and with that I think we gave folks a clear guide on how to choose the right tile for their space.
00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:25.204
Totally Well, mike.
00:07:25.204 --> 00:07:27.012
This was fun and super informative.
00:07:27.012 --> 00:07:28.639
I'm ready to tile everything.
00:07:29.403 --> 00:07:30.829
Same here and to everyone listening.
00:07:30.829 --> 00:07:31.831
Thanks for tuning in.
00:07:31.831 --> 00:07:33.235
Till next time, take care.
00:07:34.899 --> 00:07:37.504
You've been listening to the Belt Tile Podcast.
00:07:37.504 --> 00:07:45.701
When it comes to creating a beautiful home using tile, this is the podcast for products, design ideas and tips.
00:07:45.701 --> 00:07:53.117
We hope you got some useful practical information from this show and we'll be back soon, but in the meantime, reach out.
00:07:53.117 --> 00:07:57.435
The website is wwwbelktilecom.
00:07:57.435 --> 00:08:03.024
Our store phone number is 614-543-8334.
00:08:03.024 --> 00:08:08.620
Find us on facebook and twitter at belk tile and on instagram at belk tiles.
00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:16.103
Make sure to leave a rating and review and if you have questions or comments, reach out and we'll talk about it on the next show.
00:08:16.103 --> 00:08:17.896
Till next time.
00:00:01.824 --> 00:00:04.572
00:00:04.572 --> 00:00:06.046
00:00:06.046 --> 00:00:08.788
00:00:08.788 --> 00:00:11.388
00:00:11.388 --> 00:00:13.849
00:00:13.849 --> 00:00:18.484
00:00:18.484 --> 00:00:20.070
00:00:20.070 --> 00:00:22.368
00:00:22.368 --> 00:00:32.651
00:00:32.651 --> 00:00:35.362
00:00:35.362 --> 00:00:37.784
00:00:43.673 --> 00:00:45.816
00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:48.829
00:00:49.240 --> 00:00:49.682
00:00:49.682 --> 00:00:51.749
00:00:52.200 --> 00:00:56.871
00:00:57.292 --> 00:00:57.853
00:00:58.280 --> 00:01:00.122
00:01:00.122 --> 00:01:03.848
00:01:04.409 --> 00:01:05.272
00:01:05.272 --> 00:01:06.733
00:01:11.219 --> 00:01:14.010
00:01:14.010 --> 00:01:18.227
00:01:18.227 --> 00:01:25.941
00:01:26.683 --> 00:01:28.688
00:01:28.828 --> 00:01:35.472
00:01:35.472 --> 00:01:38.968
00:01:38.968 --> 00:01:47.665
00:01:48.287 --> 00:01:50.772
00:01:50.772 --> 00:01:52.222
00:01:52.683 --> 00:01:52.885
00:01:52.885 --> 00:01:58.147
00:01:58.147 --> 00:02:04.287
00:02:04.287 --> 00:02:07.493
00:02:08.280 --> 00:02:09.223
00:02:09.223 --> 00:02:13.393
00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:14.061
00:02:14.061 --> 00:02:21.544
00:02:21.544 --> 00:02:25.990
00:02:25.990 --> 00:02:30.855
00:02:30.855 --> 00:02:34.890
00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:37.449
00:02:37.449 --> 00:02:41.405
00:02:41.866 --> 00:02:42.548
00:02:42.548 --> 00:02:46.603
00:02:46.603 --> 00:02:52.227
00:02:52.227 --> 00:02:55.302
00:02:55.783 --> 00:02:56.064
00:02:56.064 --> 00:02:58.751
00:02:58.751 --> 00:03:03.706
00:03:04.268 --> 00:03:05.308
00:03:05.308 --> 00:03:10.575
00:03:10.575 --> 00:03:16.299
00:03:16.661 --> 00:03:17.443
00:03:17.443 --> 00:03:21.290
00:03:21.290 --> 00:03:22.473
00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:30.566
00:03:30.586 --> 00:03:36.379
00:03:36.379 --> 00:03:37.823
00:03:38.310 --> 00:03:40.854
00:03:40.854 --> 00:03:47.884
00:03:48.469 --> 00:03:52.360
00:03:52.770 --> 00:03:53.431
00:03:53.431 --> 00:03:57.762
00:03:57.762 --> 00:03:59.626
00:03:59.626 --> 00:04:04.717
00:04:05.299 --> 00:04:05.879
00:04:05.879 --> 00:04:13.032
00:04:13.032 --> 00:04:16.160
00:04:16.761 --> 00:04:17.002
00:04:17.002 --> 00:04:17.750
00:04:17.930 --> 00:04:20.197
00:04:20.197 --> 00:04:24.454
00:04:24.454 --> 00:04:28.329
00:04:28.329 --> 00:04:32.199
00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:33.762
00:04:33.762 --> 00:04:35.394
00:04:35.394 --> 00:04:40.716
00:04:41.569 --> 00:04:48.341
00:04:48.341 --> 00:04:51.954
00:04:51.954 --> 00:04:53.757
00:04:53.757 --> 00:04:57.504
00:04:58.245 --> 00:05:01.339
00:05:01.339 --> 00:05:04.540
00:05:04.540 --> 00:05:09.540
00:05:10.101 --> 00:05:10.682
00:05:10.682 --> 00:05:13.512
00:05:13.992 --> 00:05:26.653
00:05:26.692 --> 00:05:27.134
00:05:27.134 --> 00:05:30.264
00:05:30.524 --> 00:05:35.699
00:05:35.699 --> 00:05:43.612
00:05:43.632 --> 00:05:46.862
00:05:46.862 --> 00:05:50.797
00:05:51.358 --> 00:05:52.060
00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:53.831
00:05:53.831 --> 00:06:00.603
00:06:01.350 --> 00:06:01.610
00:06:01.610 --> 00:06:04.740
00:06:05.250 --> 00:06:07.983
00:06:07.983 --> 00:06:10.992
00:06:10.992 --> 00:06:15.141
00:06:15.141 --> 00:06:16.783
00:06:21.990 --> 00:06:24.259
00:06:24.279 --> 00:06:25.644
00:06:25.644 --> 00:06:29.637
00:06:29.637 --> 00:06:33.273
00:06:33.273 --> 00:06:41.199
00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:42.242
00:06:42.684 --> 00:06:43.507
00:06:43.507 --> 00:06:48.701
00:06:48.701 --> 00:06:50.153
00:06:50.153 --> 00:06:53.081
00:06:53.810 --> 00:06:58.197
00:06:58.718 --> 00:06:59.180
00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:04.658
00:07:05.278 --> 00:07:05.540
00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:10.778
00:07:10.778 --> 00:07:16.257
00:07:16.257 --> 00:07:17.040
00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:23.577
00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:25.204
00:07:25.204 --> 00:07:27.012
00:07:27.012 --> 00:07:28.639
00:07:29.403 --> 00:07:30.829
00:07:30.829 --> 00:07:31.831
00:07:31.831 --> 00:07:33.235
00:07:34.899 --> 00:07:37.504
00:07:37.504 --> 00:07:45.701
00:07:45.701 --> 00:07:53.117
00:07:53.117 --> 00:07:57.435
00:07:57.435 --> 00:08:03.024
00:08:03.024 --> 00:08:08.620
00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:16.103
00:08:16.103 --> 00:08:17.896
