Porcelain vs Ceramic: What's The Difference?

Posted on 17th February 2023

Have you been thinking about installing porcelain paving in your garden? With porcelain becoming increasingly popular in recent years, you might be wondering about its differences compared to other materials.

An extremely popular alternative to natural stone, porcelain boasts astounding technical specifications that allow you to enjoy the look of natural stone without the maintenance.

So, if we’re talking about porcelain and ceramic, what are the differences? There are four main differences between the two: appearance, composition, water absorption and usage.

Appearance & texture

Porcelain paving is manufactured to mimic many different natural materials. At Porcelain Paving Direct, we provide all the beauty of the real thing without compromising on durability.

The possibilities with porcelain are endless and almost any effect can be achieved, including marble, granite, slate, limestone, sandstone and wood. Therefore, it is a fantastic option if you don’t want to worry about damage or maintenance.

On the other hand, ceramic usually comes in a solid colour without any variation in its appearance. This is not possible with ceramic, unlike our porcelain paving slabs which are available in multiple variations for maximum authenticity.

Composition

One of the biggest differences between porcelain and ceramic is the material composition. Porcelain is crafted using fine kaolin clay and other minerals, whereas ceramic is made from coarse clay.

Kaolin clay is a good choice for paving tiles because it has a high fusion temperature, which results in porcelain having incredible strength and resistance cracking, denting and chipping.

Water absorption

Porcelain paving is renowned for its water resistance and typically has a water absorption rate of less than 0.05%. Ceramic tiles generally have a much higher absorption rate in comparison.

Porcelain is far more dense and less porous than ceramic, which means that it doesn’t absorb as much moisture and the slabs in general are more durable.

Usage

If you’re looking for paving that is versatile, porcelain is an excellent choice due to its suitability for outdoor and indoor spaces. On the other hand, ceramic tiles are usually suitable for indoor use only.

When it comes to durability, this differs between porcelain and ceramic tiles drastically but porcelain is better suited to high traffic areas.

So, it’s not difficult to see why porcelain is the top choice… It looks beautiful in every setting, its specifications are outstanding compared to ceramic and natural stone, and it boasts mind-blowing water resistance capabilities!

If we haven’t yet convinced you that porcelain paving is the right investment for you and your home improvement project, get in touch with us and we will be happy to help with any queries you may have.

With valuable experience, we are able to help you achieve the perfect patio, garden, or home interior with our products.