| The word "tile" is derived from the French | | | | |
| word "tuile". There are three different types | | | | 2. The glaze hardness |
| of tiles available in market: | | | | |
| | | | 3. The PEI rating of the tile. |
| 1. Ceramic Tile | | | | |
| | | | Some advantages of ceramic and porcelain |
| 2. Porcelain Tile | | | | tiles are given below. |
| | | | |
| 3. Glass Tile | | | | Porcelain Tiles: |
| | | | |
| Although most of the customers have a fair | | | | - Much harder and denser as compared to |
| enough idea about Glass Tiles but they get a | | | | ceramic tiles |
| bit confused when it comes to choosing | | | | |
| between a ceramic tile and a porcelain tile. | | | | - Mostly frost-proof and frost resistant |
| | | | |
| The process of making a ceramic tile involves | | | | - Not easy to stain or scratch |
| the mixing of clay with number of other | | | | |
| minerals and water. This mixture is then | | | | - Does not absorbs moisture easily |
| heated at a high temperature to get it to | | | | |
| solidify. The surface of ceramic tile becomes | | | | - Both glazed and unglazed varieties are |
| porous and for this reason it is sealed with | | | | available |
| a glaze. The ceramic tile gets it main design | | | | |
| and texture due to this glazed surface. | | | | Ceramic Tiles: |
| | | | |
| On the other hand, the process of making a | | | | - Much longer life then other tiles. |
| porcelain tile is completely different from | | | | |
| the ceramic tile. It is made from | | | | - Fire-proof characteristic |
| finely-ground sand under extreme pressure and | | | | |
| high temperature. The end result is a dense, | | | | - Do not absorb moisture easily |
| glass-like material that has 0.5% capability | | | | |
| of absorbing water. | | | | - Colors do not fade or alter easily |
| | | | |
| When a customer decides to install a tile on | | | | - Slip-resistance, thermal shock-resistance |
| his roof, wall or floor he needs to make a | | | | and frost-resistance |
| decision between a ceramic tile and a | | | | |
| porcelain tile. When choosing among these | | | | Considering the two types of tiles, it is |
| following things must be taken into | | | | much easier to install ceramic tiles as |
| considerations: | | | | compared to porcelain tiles. This is for the |
| | | | reason that special tools are required in |
| 1. The ability to absorb water | | | | order to install porcelain tiles. |