Porcelain Tile Guide: What to Know Before You Buy
Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile manufactured to have very low water absorption. To be classified as porcelain, the tile must have a water absorption rate of 0.5% or less. This can often be verified on the original factory box, where you may see the classification “Dry-Pressed Ceramic Tile, E ≤ 0.5%.”
Porcelain tiles can be used on floors and walls in residential and commercial spaces, including living areas, kitchens, bathrooms and showers. Depending on the finish and specifications of the particular tile, porcelain can also be used for exterior applications.
Start with the application, size, finish, color, and design, but don’t stop there. Manufacturing quality matters as well, particularly with large-format tiles. Check that you are buying first-quality material, verify the shade or tone codes on the factory boxes, and consider characteristics such as tile flatness and the suitability of the finish for where the tile will be installed.
Porcelain tile requires no periodic maintenance. It does not need to be sealed, waxed, refinished, or treated with protective coatings. Once properly installed, regular cleaning is all that is needed. Matte-finish porcelain is also particularly resistant to scratching.
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