Porcelain Tiles are recognised worldwide for their elegance, smooth texture and classic look. Most popular for kitchens, bathrooms and entry foyers, porcelain tiles are hardy, low maintenance and versatile. Our collection of porcelain tiles are the perfect blend of durability, high-end technology and the latest design styles. Own the luxe look of nature-inspired tones, patterns and textures including marble, terrazzo and timber interpretations.
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Porcelain Tiles FAQs
Porcelain tiles are available in an endless range of design tile solutions, allowing you to experiment with an endless range of elegant choices. These tiles are famous for their incredible durability: porcelain tiles are resistant to heat, moisture, scratching and staining, making them one of the most popular options for any application.Â
Which is better: Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles?
This will depend on how you intend to use your tiles: Ceramic tiles are most often restricted to vertical applications only, making them an ideal choice as a wall tile in both residential and retail environments. Porcelain tiles on the other hand can often be used as either a floor or wall tile in residential applications with certain varieties also being suitable for a commercial or retail flooring solution. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles offer a durable and hard wearing solution however, they each offer their own range of benefits in different applications.Â
What is the Difference between Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles?
Two of the most popular tiling choices, ceramic and porcelain tiles share many similarities in their manufacture. Both options are made using the same raw materials and are then formed and baked in a kiln to harden and remove all moisture. This is where they differ: porcelain tiles are baked for a longer stretch of time and at a significantly higher temperature while ceramic tiles are baked for a shorter period at a lower temperature. The kiln baking process results in an ultra-hard and non-porous material in porcelain tile collections and a softer, more lightweight option in ceramic tile collections. As ceramic tiles are softer and lighter than their porcelain counterparts, they are usually restricted to wall applications only, however you will find more flexibility is allowed in the use of porcelain tiles as most options can be used as a floor or wall tile as well as an outdoor tile solution.
What are the Advantages of Porcelain Tiles?
Porcelain tiles offer an impressive range of benefits! These tiles are resistant to heat, moisture, staining and scratching, making them a popular option as a floor tile and wall tile option in all areas of the home. Thanks to these many benefits, porcelain tiles can be used as a bathroom tile, kitchen tile or laundry tile as well as an all over flooring solution throughout your home’s interior and exterior spaces with many tile collections offering a corresponding outdoor tile to match your indoor tiles to create a seamless look.Â
Do Porcelain Tiles Need Sealing?
No, porcelain tiles will not require sealing. These tiles are baked at such extreme temperatures that the end product is almost completely non-porous allowing for an incredibly low maintenance solution for any application.Â
Why are Porcelain Tiles so Popular?
Aside from the many benefits noted above, porcelain tiles are a popular choice as they are available in so many different options! Thanks to modern tile manufacturing techniques, porcelain tiles are available in a wide variety of different styles that are designed to emulate the look and feel of other materials such as timber, concrete or natural stones. Timber tiles for example will be made out of a porcelain material and feature hyper-realistic variations in texture and tone to create an authentic timber style finish. The same applies for natural stone-look tiles such as marble-look tiles which again will feature realistic variations in tone and pattern to create an elegant look.Â
Are Porcelain Tiles Slippery when Wet?
All tile types can be slippery when wet however, their surface texture and finish will play a role in just how slippery they are. During the manufacture of floor tiles, the tiles are run through a series of tests and are assigned a rating in terms of slip resistance. These ratings will dictate how the tiles are actually used in commercial, retail or residential projects. To find out more about tile ratings and slip resistance, view our guide here. It is important to note that restrictions regarding the slip resistance of floor tiles can be quite strict in commercial and retail projects, with each type of application requiring a specific rating. Residential applications are not as strict however, allowing you more freedom in your selections.
Do Porcelain Tiles Chip Easily?
Porcelain tiles offer an incredibly hard and durable surface finish that should not chip or crack with proper use and installation. If any tile is installed incorrectly or comes into contact with excessive force and impact, the tile can chip especially along the edges. Exposed tile edges should be properly protected (an example of this would be the installation of aluminium trips along a tiled shower niche) to avoid any accidental impact from damaging the tile.
How to Clean Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles provide an incredibly low maintenance solution. These tiles are almost completely non-porous and will usually require nothing more than a wipe down with warm soapy water to keep clean and tidy. High gloss tiles will benefit from a once-over with a dry mop after cleaning to remove any water marks and buff up their shiny finish. For a deeper clean of your porcelain tiles, specific tile cleaners are recommended – Visit our Resources page for detailed information.
How to use Porcelain Tiles in the Home
Porcelain tiles offer an endless range of uses throughout the home. These tiles can often be used as both a floor or wall tile (depending on the tile’s design and texture) with options available that are suitable for outdoor applications as well. Outdoor tile options will feature a roughly textured surface finish, making them a suitable choice for creating outdoor paths and zones in your landscape design scheme. Porcelain is also a popular option as a bathroom tile, kitchen tile or laundry tile, making for a long lasting and hard wearing option with an endless range of options to choose from. Thanks to their impressive ability to stand up well against extreme temperatures, many porcelain tile collections are also suitable for use as a fireplace surround option, allowing you to create a designer look using stunning wall tiles that incorporate texture, shape and colour in your living space.
