Ceramic vs Porcelain Tiles: Which Is Right for Your UK Home?

You probably have already been asked the question at one time or another - should I go with ceramic or porcelain tiles? This choice is often one of the most popular decisions people in the United Kingdom make when making renovations to their house or new builds when adding bathroom or kitchen floors.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles look nearly identical when viewing them in-store, however, upon installation each tile type performs very differently from one another. There are many factors that determine how either type of tile will perform that are critical to understand; such as water resistance, cost, durability and ease of installation. This is crucial to know because of the large number of homes located in the UK that have a lot of moisture and the ever-growing trend of people adding underfloor heating to their homes.

This guide will provide all the critical information homeowner's need in order to make an informed decision regarding ceramic vs porcelain tiles. It includes a complete comparison chart, typical room-by-room recommendations, price breakdowns, and the top five mistakes that homeowner’s tend to make when choosing ceramic vs porcelain tiles. You will know without a doubt what type of tile is best for your home after reading this guide!

Understanding the Key Difference Between Ceramic Tiles and Porcelain Tiles

When you go to buy some tiles, you may think they are going to be the same. That is because when viewed from afar, both tiles have similar dimensions and shapes. The reality is they are very different types of tiles because they come from different types of clay. Even when you visit a tile shop in the UK you will see both types together; the tile in a shop may have been made with the same raw materials and be the same shade as the other tile. So what makes them different?

Both types of tile use the same raw materials – clay. Where they differ is in the type of clay used and the temperature at which the clay is fired in the kiln.

Ceramic tiles consist of a combination of natural clay, sand and water. The clay used to create ceramic tile is fired at a temperature of between 1000 degrees Celsius and 1150 degrees Celsius. The firing temperature of ceramic tile creates a porous tile, which are generally easier to cut and to work with during installation.

Porcelain tiles consist of a finer grain clay that has had feldspar and silica mixed in at the time it was created prior to firing. The firing temperature to create porcelain tile is typically between 1200 degrees Celsius and 1400 degrees Celsius. The higher firing temperature causes the materials to fuse together creating a tile with a very dense structure, thus a very low moisture absorption level.

According to the British Standards Institute (BSI) or the International Standards Organisation (ISO), porcelain tiles have a maximum water absorption rate 0.5%. Porcelain tiles have a water absorption rate of between 3% and 7%.

Porcelain Tiles vs Ceramic Tiles - Quick Comparison Table

Here is a clear side-by-side overview to help you understand how both tile types compare across the most important factors:

Use this table as a quick reference when visiting a tile showroom or browsing online. It will help you ask the right questions and avoid buying the wrong tile for the job.

Which Is More Durable - Porcelain or Ceramic?

In the UK, homeowners will often use durability as a guide when considering options for floors in their houses, specifically in high traffic areas such as the hallways, kitchens and utility areas of those houses. Overall, there is a significant difference in durability between porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles. This is due to the fact that porcelain tiles are made from a denser clay, which creates fewer air pockets, and are fired at much higher temperatures than ceramic tiles, creating a more uniform internal structure, giving porcelain tiles significantly more resistance to scratches, chips and cracks, even when used heavily.

Although ceramic tiles are not particularly fragile by any means, they are softer than porcelain. While ceramic tiles have good performance in areas with moderate foot traffic and will provide sufficient performance for the majority of their use in domestic applications, their softer nature is not advantageous when used in areas which are subject to continuous traffic such as hallways or areas where furniture is moved frequently.

If you plan to lay a porcelain floor in a busy family kitchen, an open plan living room, or a hallway that is subjected to extreme abuse on a daily basis, then porcelain tiles will be a better long term investment than ceramic tiles. If you plan on using ceramic tiles in a guest bathroom or as a splashback in the kitchen, then they will provide the same level of performance for many years.

One thing you should keep in mind when installing porcelain tiles is that the hardness of porcelain can actually make the installation process more difficult. This is because porcelain tile requires a diamond tipped cutting blade and specialised tools for cutting. As a result, your installation costs will typically be higher when installing porcelain tile unless you already own these same specialised tools.

Water Resistance - Which Tile Handles Moisture Better?

The UK has a lot of rain and, as a result, the bathrooms and kitchens often have moisture, making it really important to consider how waterproof the flooring will be. Porcelain tiles are less than half a percent water resistant and almost 100 percent waterproof. This is why builders often use porcelain tiles in wet rooms, shower areas, and terraces outside. Also, since porcelain tiles don’t have pores like most other tiles, bacteria and mould don’t like to grow on these types of floors; therefore, using porcelain tiles helps keep a cleaner space.

On the other hand, ceramic tiles can hold up to 7 percent moisture. This does not mean that they are not appropriate for use in bathrooms, in fact, they are used to line walls in bathrooms throughout the UK. It is just that if you are using tile on walls/floors that have water on them regularly, or if you use tile in areas where water is splashed around a lot (shower floors/walls/ wet room walls), you may need to seal with something extra, or possibly even use a different tile altogether.

Lastly, if you want to use tile outside for patios, garden paths, or steps, then porcelain is the best material to use in the UK. If water gets into a porous tile and freezes during the winter, it expands and can break the tile into tiny pieces. Porcelain itself is so tightly secured that the water cannot enter; hence, you do not have to worry about this issue.

Which Tiles Are More Compatible With Underfloor Heating?

The rise in popularity of Underfloor Heating has surged in the last ten years among UK households with electric or water UFH systems. An important factor to consider when looking at how well your UFH heats a room, or the efficiency of heat transfer, is which tile you put on top of the UFH system.

Most people will agree that porcelain is the best type of tile to use for Underfloor Heating because it is more dense (non-porous) than ceramic tile, so it conducts and absorbs heat better than ceramic tile. With porcelain tiles, the heat from the UFH system is distributed evenly across the floor, and once the tiles are warm, they tend to stay warm longer than ceramic tiles; therefore, less energy is needed to maintain an average room temperature.

Ceramic tiles can also be used with Underfloor Heating, and they will work for most residential applications. However, it is worth noting that ceramic tiles have lower thermal conductivity than porcelain tiles and as a result may take slightly longer to achieve the desired temperature than porcelain tiles.

A few important points to keep in mind for UFH installations:

•       Always check the tile's thermal resistance (tog rating) - lower is better for heat transfer

•       Use a flexible tile adhesive rated for use with underfloor heating systems

•       Allow extra curing time before switching on the heating system

•       Large-format tiles generally perform better with UFH due to fewer grout joints

•       Consult your underfloor heating installer about the maximum tog rating for your system

Both tile types can work with UFH, but if you are investing in underfloor heating, it makes sense to maximise the return with porcelain - especially on larger floor areas like open-plan kitchens and living rooms.

Cost Comparison - How Much Do Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles Cost in the UK?

Often a major factor regarding the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile cost.When considering price alone, ceramic tiles represent a much lower cost than porcelain tiles. On average, ceramic tiles prices range from about £10-£30 (per m²) for standard residential applications while you can purchase budget-level ceramic wall tiles for less than £15 (per m²). This makes them an attractive tile choice for larger installation projects or rooms where porcelain tile performs better than ceramic tile; thus, they are often chosen for larger jobs (where porcelain is not needed).

The price of porcelain tiles is typically higher due to both the more rigorous manufacturing process and the physical properties of the finished tile upon completion; therefore, prices for porcelain tiles average £20-£60 (per m²). Prices for premium large-size and designer porcelain tiles can exceed those levels as well.

In addition to the cost of material, an additional cost of installation should also be considered when evaluating whether to install ceramic vs. porcelain tile. Porcelain is a denser tile material and it takes longer to properly cut and install than does ceramic; this can increase your total labour cost if you hire a tiler to install your tiles for you. Conversely, given the ease of cutting and handling, you will typically spend less on tile fitting (if hired).

When evaluating costs only, value in project longevity must also be taken into account. For example, I may have installed a cheap tile floor in an area that experiences relatively high foot-traffic; however, after approximately 10 years, I will likely need to replace my tile. If I had instead chosen to have a high-quality porcelain tile floor installed instead, I would expect my floor to be five times more durable than the above-mentioned inexpensive floor and to last for at least 50 years.

Common Mistakes UK Homeowners Make When Choosing Between Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles

Even with all the information available, many UK homeowners still end up with the wrong tile for the job. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid:

• Using ceramic tiles outdoors. The fact that ceramic tiles are porous means they'll take in water when it rains, and when that water freezes in the winter it can crack the tile. You should always use porcelain tile for exterior applications.

• Only choosing tiles based on their appearance. It's possible to find a tile that looks gorgeous in a showroom, but if that tile does not meet the required slip-resistance rating, has the appropriate load-bearing capacity, or is rated to be moisture resistant enough for its intended use, it could create problems down the road.

• Underestimating how difficult it will be to install porcelain tile yourself. Many homeowners begin with good intentions to do a DIY job of installing porcelain only to end up needing to purchase special cutting tools. Be sure to evaluate the installation process before buying your tiles.

• Failing to take into consideration an established PEI rating. The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating defines the hardness of a surface glaze on tile. The rating for flooring should be 3 or higher for light duty areas and 4 or 5 are suggested for high-traffic areas.

• Purchasing an inadequate amount of tile. You need to purchase at least 10% more flooring tiles than you originally measured in order to allow for any cut tile, broken tile, and for potential repairs (especially if the tile you purchase is no longer available once you run out).

• Failing to consider how heavy the tile is. Porcelain tile has a greater weight than ceramic tile, so if you tile over a suspended wood floor you need to confirm how much weight can be supported before doing the install.

Which Should You Choose for Your UK Home?

In conclusion, there is no definitive answer as to whether porcelain or ceramic tile is ‘better’ when tiling a space; rather, your decision is going to depend on where you are installing the tile and what characteristics you want from the tile after it is installed.

If you’re tiling the walls of a kitchen or bathroom, a small area that receives very little foot traffic, or any other space where you are on a budget and the tile will not be exposed to large amounts of water, then ceramic tile is your best choice. In terms of value for your money, ceramic tiles provide excellent value for the cost of installation. They are available in a very wide range of styles and designs and they are more than suitable for most indoor wall tile applications.

If you’re tiling floors in a kitchen, bathroom, hallway, wet area, using underfloor heating, or a patio or terrace outside then you should be using porcelain tile. Porcelain tile is much more durable than ceramic tile, highly resistant to water, and lasts significantly longer than ceramic tile will. Therefore, if you need a durable and high-performance product, then it makes sense to use porcelain tile instead of ceramic tile.

Many renovation projects in the UK use both ceramic and porcelain tiles together; in this way, the porcelain is used to provide a durable flooring material, while the ceramic is used to provide a wide range of attractive wall covering options to suit the design requirement of a space, while providing substantial cost savings. Professional architects and designers have successfully used this approach for many years and are continuing to do so on a daily basis throughout the UK.

Still Not Sure? Visit Elliren Tiles.

Choosing between ceramic and porcelain tiles is much easier when you can see and feel the products in person. At Elliren Tiles, our team of tiling specialists are on hand to help you find the right tile for every room in your home. Whether you are looking for large-format porcelain floor tiles, classic ceramic metro tiles for your kitchen splashback, or something completely bespoke, we have an extensive range to suit every style and budget.

Visit our showroom, browse our online collection, or get in touch with our team for personalised advice tailored to your project.

FAQs

What is the main difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles?

The main difference is in the clay type and firing temperature. Porcelain is made from a finer, more refined clay and fired at higher temperatures, making it denser, harder, and less porous than ceramic. Ceramic tiles are fired at lower temperatures, which makes them softer, easier to cut, and slightly more porous. In practical terms, porcelain is more durable and water-resistant, while ceramic is more budget-friendly and easier to install.

Can I use ceramic tiles outdoors in the UK?

No - ceramic tiles are not suitable for outdoor use in the UK. Because ceramic is porous, it absorbs water. In winter, this water freezes and expands inside the tile, causing it to crack and break over time. For patios, pathways, garden steps, and any other external surfaces, you should always use porcelain tiles, which have a water absorption rate of less than 0.5% and are fully frost-resistant.

Are porcelain tiles more expensive than ceramic tiles?

Yes, generally speaking, porcelain tiles cost more than ceramic tiles in the UK market. Ceramic tiles typically range from £10 to £30 per m², while porcelain tiles are usually priced between £20 and £60 per m², depending on the size, finish, and brand. Installation costs for porcelain are also often higher due to the specialist cutting tools required. However, porcelain's greater longevity and lower maintenance requirements can make it better value over the lifetime of the tile.

Which tile is better for underfloor heating - porcelain or ceramic?

Porcelain is the better choice for underfloor heating. Its dense, non-porous composition conducts and retains heat more efficiently than ceramic, which means your floor reaches temperature faster and stays warm for longer. Both tile types are technically compatible with underfloor heating systems, but porcelain delivers better thermal performance, making it the preferred choice for UK homes with electric or wet UFH systems.

How do I know if a tile is porcelain or ceramic?

There are a few ways to tell them apart. First, check the product label or tile packaging - it should clearly state whether the tile is ceramic or porcelain. If you are unsure, look at the tile's edge or back: porcelain tiles tend to have a consistent colour all the way through (the body matches the surface), while ceramic tiles often show a different colour clay body beneath the glaze. Porcelain tiles are also noticeably heavier and harder than ceramic when you handle them. In a showroom, ask a member of staff - they will always be able to confirm the tile classification.