Porcelain and ceramic tiles look very similar on a showroom floor. They are both made from clay and fired in a kiln, they come in the same formats and many of the same finishes, and at a casual glance the difference between them is not obvious. But they are made differently, perform differently, and are suitable for different applications. Choosing the wrong one for your room is one of the more avoidable tiling mistakes.
This guide explains the practical differences, when each is the right choice, and when it genuinely does not matter which you pick.
The basics
What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles?
Both are made from clay mixed with minerals and fired at high temperature. The difference is in the clay type and the firing temperature:
Ceramic tiles are made from a coarser, less refined clay mixture and fired at around 900 to 1,100 degrees Celsius. The result is a tile that is relatively porous, lighter in weight, and softer than porcelain. The surface colour and pattern is usually a glaze applied on top of the clay body: this gives ceramic a wide range of finish options, but it also means the body beneath the glaze is a different colour. If a ceramic tile chips on the corner, you will see the lighter clay beneath the surface colour.
Porcelain tiles are made from a more refined, denser clay (kaolin) mixed with feldspar and silica, then fired at temperatures above 1,200 degrees Celsius. This produces a tile that is considerably harder, denser, and less porous than ceramic. The water absorption rate of a porcelain tile is below 0.5 percent, compared to 3 percent or more for ceramic. In through-body porcelain, the colour and pattern runs through the full thickness of the tile, so chips are much less visible.
The key number is water absorption. Porcelain absorbs less than 0.5 percent. Ceramic absorbs 3 percent or more. That difference determines where each tile is suitable.
Detailed comparison
Porcelain vs ceramic: a direct comparison
| Property | Porcelain | Ceramic |
|---|---|---|
| Water absorption | Below 0.5% (BIa class) | 3% or above (BIII class typically) |
| Hardness | Very hard (Mohs 7-8) | Softer (Mohs 5-6) |
| Weight | Heavier – requires correct adhesive | Lighter – easier to handle and cut |
| Frost resistance | Yes – suitable for outdoor use | No – not suitable outdoors |
| Floor use | Yes – with appropriate PEI and slip ratings | Limited – check PEI rating; avoid high-traffic floors |
| Colour through body | Yes in through-body porcelain – chips less visible | No – glaze on surface; chips show base clay colour |
| Cutting | Harder to cut – requires a good wet saw | Easier to cut |
| Price | Generally higher | Generally lower |
| Maintenance | Very low – no sealing needed | Low – no sealing needed for glazed ceramic |
By room
Which to choose for each room
Bathroom floors
Use porcelain. The density and low water absorption of porcelain make it the right choice for any bathroom floor. Ceramic is possible on low-traffic bathroom floors but it is a compromise: the glaze on a ceramic tile will eventually wear through in high-traffic areas, leaving a surface that looks scuffed and is harder to clean. Porcelain does not have this problem.
Bathroom walls
Either works well. Bathroom walls are a low-wear application where the practical advantages of porcelain are less significant. Ceramic wall tiles are a good choice if you want the widest range of glaze colours and finishes at a competitive price. Porcelain wall tiles are better if you want large format tiles, through-body colour, or a tile that is also suitable for a wet wall or shower enclosure without any concern about water penetration over time.
Kitchen floors
Use porcelain, rated PEI 4 or above. Kitchen floors take heavy daily wear and are frequently wet from spills and cleaning. A ceramic tile on a kitchen floor will show surface wear within a few years in the areas of highest traffic. Porcelain at PEI 4 will perform well for the life of the kitchen.
Kitchen walls and splashbacks
Either is suitable for kitchen wall tiles. Ceramic is a strong choice for kitchen splashbacks and wall tiles where the wide range of glazed finishes and the ease of cutting make it practical. The one exception is a splashback directly behind a gas hob where heat and grease are more intense: use a porcelain tile here, and always use an epoxy or stain-resistant grout in the joints.
Hallways and living rooms
Use porcelain rated PEI 4 or 5 for hallways. The floor at a front door takes more wear, impact, and moisture ingress than almost any other domestic surface. Ceramic is not the right material here. For living room floors where wear is lighter and the room is dry, ceramic could work but porcelain remains the better long-term choice.
Outdoor areas
Use porcelain only, in the 20mm outdoor format. Ceramic is not suitable outdoors under any circumstances. Its water absorption rate means it will absorb moisture, freeze in winter, and crack. Outdoor tiles must be frost-proof with a water absorption below 0.5 percent and a minimum R11 slip rating. The Grespania Coverlam 20mm range at La Fabrico meets all of these requirements.
Look at the side edge of the tile. A ceramic tile will show a different colour at the cut edge compared to the surface: the pale clay body beneath the glaze is visible. A through-body porcelain tile will show the same colour and pattern running through the full depth. You can also check the tile specification sheet: porcelain will be listed with a water absorption below 0.5 percent.
When it does not matter
When the difference between porcelain and ceramic is irrelevant
For bathroom walls and kitchen walls that are not exposed to significant moisture, splash, or wear, the practical performance difference between a good quality ceramic tile and porcelain is small. Both will clean easily, both are water resistant, and neither needs sealing. If the ceramic tile has the finish you want at a price that works, it is a perfectly sound choice for these applications.
Where the difference genuinely matters, and where choosing ceramic over porcelain creates problems, is in any of these situations:
- Any floor tile, anywhere in the house
- Any tile in a shower enclosure or wet room
- Any tile used outdoors
- Any tile in a high-traffic area (hallway, kitchen floor)
- Any tile where frost is possible
In all of these applications, porcelain is the correct material and using ceramic instead is a compromise that you will notice over time.
Common questions
Porcelain vs ceramic questions answered
Is porcelain better than ceramic for bathrooms?
For bathroom floors, shower enclosures, and wet rooms, yes: porcelain is the better choice. Its low water absorption and greater hardness make it more durable in wet applications. For bathroom walls outside the shower enclosure, both materials perform well and the choice comes down to the finish and price point that works for your project.
Can you use ceramic tiles on a bathroom floor?
Technically yes, but it is not the recommended choice. Ceramic tiles on a bathroom floor will perform adequately in low-traffic situations but the surface glaze will wear over time in areas of heavy use. Porcelain is more suitable because it is harder and its colour runs through the full body of the tile, so it does not show wear in the same way.
How do I know if a tile is porcelain or ceramic?
Look at the edge of the tile. A ceramic tile shows a different colour at the cut edge: the pale clay body beneath the surface glaze. A through-body porcelain shows the same colour running through the full depth. You can also check the product specification: porcelain tiles are listed with a water absorption below 0.5 percent; ceramic tiles typically show 3 percent or above.
Are porcelain tiles more expensive than ceramic?
Generally yes, though the difference varies between ranges. The higher cost of porcelain reflects the more refined raw materials, higher firing temperature, longer production process, and superior performance in use. For applications where porcelain’s advantages matter (floors, wet areas, outdoors) the additional cost is justified. For dry wall applications where ceramic performs just as well, the lower cost of ceramic is a practical advantage.
Can ceramic tiles be used outside?
No. Ceramic tiles must not be used outdoors. The water absorption rate of ceramic means it will absorb moisture, which expands when it freezes in winter, causing the tile to crack or spall. Outdoor tiles must be frost-proof with a water absorption below 0.5 percent and a minimum R11 slip rating. Only porcelain in a specific outdoor-rated specification should be used outside.
See the full range in our Exeter showroom
La Fabrico stocks porcelain and ceramic tiles from Grespania Coverlam, Refin, Marazzi, and Saloni across our Exeter showroom. Our team can confirm the right material, rating, and format for your specific application. Free samples available. Guaranteed Best Prices.
lafabrico.com | 01392 848487 | Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8QX
