Choosing between porcelain and ceramic tiles can be confusing, but the good news is that both are excellent choices. The right option depends on where you plan to use them.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Porcelain | Ceramic |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Floors, bathrooms, kitchens & outdoors | Walls, splashbacks & light-use floors |
| Durability | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Water Resistance | Excellent | Good |
| Outdoor Use | ✔ Yes | ✖ No |
| Cost | Higher | More affordable |
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain TilesPorcelain tiles are denser, stronger and absorb very little water, making them ideal for busy areas of the home.
Best for:
- Bathroom floors
- Kitchen floors
- Hallways
- Living areas
- Outdoor patios
Why choose porcelain?
- Extremely durable
- Highly water resistant
- Suitable for underfloor heating
- Low maintenance
- Available in marble, stone and wood-effect finishes
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic TilesCeramic tiles are lighter and generally more affordable than porcelain, making them a great choice for walls and decorative areas.
Best for:
- Bathroom walls
- Kitchen splashbacks
- Utility rooms
- Feature walls
Why choose ceramic?
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to install
- Wide choice of colours and styles
- Simple to clean and maintain
Which Is Right for You?
Choose porcelain if you need a hard-wearing tile for floors, wet areas or outdoor spaces.
Choose ceramic if you’re tiling walls or want a stylish, cost-effective option for lighter-use areas.
Both materials are durable, easy to maintain and available in a huge range of finishes, so whichever you choose, you’ll enjoy a beautiful result.
Shop Tiles at City Tiles & Bathrooms
At City Tiles & Bathrooms, we stock a wide range of porcelain and ceramic wall and floor tiles to suit every style and budget.
Visit one of our showrooms or browse our online collections to find the perfect tiles for your next project.
| Feature | Porcelain Tiles | Ceramic Tiles |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, outdoor areas | Walls, splashbacks, bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms and low-traffic floors |
| Strength | Extremely strong and dense | Strong, but less dense than porcelain |
| Durability (PEI Rating) | PEI 3–5 | PEI 0–3 |
| Water Resistance | Excellent (less than 0.5% water absorption) | Good, but absorbs more moisture than porcelain |
| Outdoor Use | ✔ Yes – frost resistant | ✖ Generally not recommended |
| Slip Resistance | Excellent choice for matt and outdoor finishes | Suitable for many indoor applications |
| Ease of Cutting | Harder to cut and install | Easier to cut and install |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Underfloor Heating | ✔ Excellent | ✔ Suitable |
| Maintenance | Very low maintenance | Low maintenance |
| Cost | Usually more expensive | Generally more affordable |
| Composition | Fine white clay with sand and feldspar fired at very high temperatures | Red, brown or white clay fired at lower temperatures |
