You might have read our other blog posts comparing porcelain tile to ceramic or natural stone. But you might not have all of the facts about today’s porcelain tile. Well, now you are going to have a full blog post dedicated just to porcelain tile to help answer all of your questions before you make a decision on new flooring. There really are many fantastic recent innovations and benefits to choosing porcelain tile. Here are just a few.

First, you need to know some background information. Porcelain is made from clay that is baked at very high temperatures and is usually glazed. The glaze keeps the clay from soaking up liquids and moisture. Because the glaze is baked on during the manufacturing process, it does not get absorbed into the tile and serves as a strong coating against spills. Porcelain can be much denser than ceramic. Some are even frost resistant and can be used for outdoor spaces.

Porcelain tile typically lasts longer than economy ceramics and is widely used in commercial applications because it can stand up to more foot traffic, wear and tear and it is one of the most stable, permanent flooring finishes available. The hardness of the tile allows it to be cut with very defined, rectified edges. Rectified edges means the tiles are engineered with precision; the corners and sides can be grouted very closely together. Thinner grout joints equates to easier maintenance and an overall neat and tidy visual appearance.

Some porcelain tile products can be a little bit more expensive than other tile flooring options. As previously mentioned, porcelain tile can be used indoors, or in some cases outdoors. It can add a dash of style to your kitchen, patio, bathroom or laundry room and you’ll really appreciate the long-term durability of porcelain in high traffic areas. It can hold its own again scratches or stains. Porcelain tile is a worthwhile investment since it will last you for years and will not have to be replaced.

There are many different shapes and sizes of porcelain tile available. A trend that has gained steam and shows little signs of slowing down is plank tiles that mimic the texture and natural grain of natural hardwood, or the unevenness of stone. This is achieved through recent innovations in tile production. It requires the use of high-definition imagery and authentic texturing. This is also how some flooring professionals get stumped when they are asked to distinguish the difference between a natural travertine and its porcelain “double.” Today, the color and texture spectrum of porcelain products is truly incredible. It is more authentic and affordable than ever!

It is always good to have a game plan before purchasing tile. Before you visit a showroom, make sure you have a clear idea of the color and style of porcelain tile you are looking for and the sizes of the areas that are to be tiled. Gather up any pictures or decorating inspiration you have and look for trends to see if you are gravitating to a certain color or design. Once you have fine-tuned the style you are looking for, head over to your local home flooring showroom and talk with a design consultant.

Top 9 Advantages of Porcelain Tile Flooring

If you’re interested in renovating with tile, porcelain tile is definitely worth considering. Able to endure heavy foot traffic in both residential and commercial locations, all while keeping their appearance, they are regarded as an ideal choice for flooring applications. Here are 9 reasons why porcelain tiles are a smart flooring choice:

 1 They are both harder and denser than many other ceramic tile products

 2 Porcelain tiles are frost-resistant, and often frost-proof

 3 They are highly resistant to stain, scratch, and moisture

 4 Porcelain is a durable and hard wearing material that is resistant to harsher cleaning agents, scratches, stains, fading, heavy loads, and fire

 5 Options with a PEI 4 or 5 rating can be installed in commercial spaces with heavy foot traffic

 6 Offered in a wide range of colors and textures, the design options available are virtually endless. Skilled professionals can accurately recreate many natural surfaces including wood grain and marble patterns

 7 Since it contains less clay and more feldspar (a mineral), and is pressed at a higher pressure than other ceramic options, it has a high breaking strength

 8 Due to its incredibly low water absorption rate, porcelain stains less and is easier to clean

 9 With no polishing, waxing, or sealing required, porcelain tile flooring is easy to maintain. Simply clean with a damp mop.