If a ceramic tile chips, you’ll see the natural ceramic or porcelain color underneath. Finally, porcelain tiles weigh more than ceramic due to their higher density. In the end the cutting noise and time aren’t really a consideration we place a heavy emphasis on when choosing between ceramic vs porcelain tile.
The differences between porcelain vs ceramic tile The main difference between ceramic vs porcelain is how they are made. Ceramic tile can still be a fine option for those spaces, but porcelain will offer the best moisture protection when it comes to things like shower walls, bathroom floors, and kitchen floors, which may be prone to food and other spills. Mudrooms are another high moisture area to consider installing porcelain vs ceramic tiles.
The clay-based construction makes porcelain tile a subtype of ceramic tiles; however, porcelain tile has a hardier construction and greater durability than non-porcelain ceramic tile varieties. Known as the most durable type of tile on the market, porcelain is harder, denser, tougher, and less porous than ceramic tile. Thanks to its relatively soft surface, homeowners can cut ceramic tile with a simple tile cutter -a piece of cake when you consider the far more involved process of cutting porcelain tile.
When you use a porcelain tile cutter, it can be easy to chip the brittle porcelain layers, effectively ruining your tile. If you want to cut porcelain or large format tiles, the RUBI TX-MAX is a heavy-duty and versatile manual tile cutter that can handle most projects. The most important porcelain tile cutter tip is to approach every job with the right equipment, from your cutting tools to your safety gear.
Ceramic Tile Porcelain Tile Composition Coarse clay Fine kaolin clay Water Absorption More than 0.5 percent 0.5 percent or less Cost $.50 to $35 per square foot $3 to $35 per square foot Typical Use Indoor floors and walls Indoor and outdoor floors and walls Hardness Softer than porcelain Harder, more brittle than ceramic Resistance to Water Good Excellent Ceramic tile and porcelain both are often manufactured with a glazed surface coating, and at a glance, they may be indistinguishable. Ceramic Tile Most ceramic tile that is not categorized as porcelain is a solid color, and simulations of wood grains or natural stone are not common with basic ceramic tile. Ceramic Tile While ceramic tile is less dense than porcelain tile and thus less durable, it is also a far easier material for do-it-yourselfer homeowners to cut manually, by wet tile saw, or with a snap tile cutter.
ceramic vs porcelain tile cutter Related Question:
Will a ceramic tile cutter cut porcelain?
Cutting Porcelain Tile with a Tile Cutter This is a tool frequently used to cut ceramic tile, but it can also be used with porcelain tiles. Because porcelain is harder and more brittle, a tile cutter can be somewhat more difficult to use on porcelain tile. This is another tool that does only straight cuts.
Do you need a special cutter for porcelain tiles?
If you want to achieve right angles, curved edges or cutting thicker tiles such as porcelain and natural stone you will need an electric cutter. To measure where the tile needs to be cut, place a tile on top of the last full tile and mark with a tile marker where they overlap, this is where you need to cut.
Can you cut porcelain and ceramic tile with the same blade?
Shortly, the answer is yes. It can be cut with a traditional manual tile cutter or a wet tile saw. With the tile cutter, a specific scoring wheel gets a shallow cut in this material. This way, you can make the most of the brittle nature of ceramic, snapping the tile along the cored cut to finish.
Is porcelain harder to cut than ceramic?
For you DIYers who like to get handy, ceramic tiles are far easier to work with. Especially in areas that require a lot of cuts to install your tiles neatly. Porcelain is much harder to cut and can require professional tools and skills to create the same effect.