Porcelain vs Ceramic Tiles: Which Is Better for Your Home?
Both are fired clay tiles. Porcelain is denser and absorbs less water, so it suits floors, wet rooms and outdoors. Ceramic is lighter and easier to cut, so it suits walls and light-use floors.
Durability and water absorption
Porcelain absorbs 0.5% water or less, which makes it frost-resistant and a safe choice for patios, bathrooms and busy hallways. Ceramic is more porous and is best kept indoors.
Installation and cost
Ceramic is softer and easier to cut by hand. Porcelain is harder, so use a wet saw or a good porcelain-rated cutter. Porcelain tiles often cost a little more, but last longer under heavy foot traffic.
Which should you choose?
Choose porcelain for floors, kitchens, wet rooms, underfloor heating and outdoor paving. Choose ceramic for bathroom and kitchen walls where budget and ease of fitting matter most.
Common questions
- Is porcelain better than ceramic?
- For floors, wet areas and outdoors, yes. For walls, ceramic does the job and is easier to cut.
- Can I use porcelain tiles outside?
- Yes, but pick a frost-proof, anti-slip porcelain, such as 20mm outdoor paving.
- Do I need special adhesive for porcelain?
- Use a flexible, porcelain-rated adhesive, and a double-bond (back-buttering) method for large tiles.
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More guides
- Tile Adhesive Guide: Choosing the Right Adhesive for Porcelain & Ceramic
- Tile Grout Guide: Colour, Joint Width and Which Grout to Use Where
- 900x900 Tiles: What to Buy Instead, and Why
- Next Day Tile Delivery in the UK
- How Many Tiles Do I Need? Coverage, Waste and Box Calculator Guide
- Bathroom Floor Tiles: Slip Ratings, Sizes and What to Choose
- Tiles for Underfloor Heating: Which Tiles and Adhesive to Use
- Outdoor and Patio Tiles: What to Look for in the UK
- Tile Layout Patterns: Straight, Brick Bond and Herringbone
- How to Clean and Care for Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles
- Large Format Tiles: Sizes, Laying Tips and Where to Use Them