FAQs
A high-quality porcelain is often thicker – ⅜” to ½” thick in many cases, making it more durable. And whether a porcelain tile is glazed or not, steps are often taken to ensure a superior finish. This is why good quality porcelain can so closely resemble natural stone or even wood.
What is the best grade of porcelain? ›
They also make great porcelain pavers for patios. The toughest porcelain tile available on the market, Grade 5 tiles are used in areas that receive very high foot traffic and are prone to a lot of wear and tear. They are popular for installation in schools, hospitals, grocery stores, and industrial buildings.
How to tell if tiles are good quality? ›
Visual Inspection: Carefully examine the tiles for any visible defects or imperfections. Check for pinholes, color inconsistencies, cracks, or irregularities in the surface. Premium quality tiles should exhibit a flawless appearance, while standard quality tiles may have minor flaws.
What is the best thickness for porcelain tile? ›
Tile Thickness
The vast majority of porcelain tiles are 6mm to 10mm thick and a tile in this range will serve most purposes. Wall tiles typically range from 6 to 10mm thick. Mosaics and decorative wall products also range from 6 to 10mm thick to make combining them easier.
How can you tell if porcelain tile is glazed? ›
Simply put – glazed ceramics have a smooth, glossy surface that is created by adding a liquid glass to the clay body. Unglazed ceramics (as the name suggests) aren't glazed and instead are often solid or speckled subdued colours with no shine.
What is the world's number one tile brand? ›
Mohawk Industries
It is also the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of ceramic tiles. It has a sales presence in almost every corner of the world covering 120-plus countries.
What are the 3 types of porcelain? ›
The three main types of porcelain are true, or hard-paste, porcelain; artificial, or soft-paste, porcelain; and bone china. Porcelain was first made in China—in a primitive form during the Tang dynasty (618–907) and in the form best known in the West during the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368).
Which is better, glazed or polished porcelain tiles? ›
Because glazed tiles are more beautiful and more transparent than polished tiles, the price is also slightly more expensive. The wear resistance and hardness of polished tiles are relatively high, while the surface of glazed tiles is transparent and bright, in contrast, the wear resistance is poor.
How to identify premium quality tiles? ›
Premium Quality Tiles are 100% perfect. There are no manufacturing defects in them and they are pretty much engineered correctly without any defects.
Is there a difference between cheap and expensive tiles? ›
Expensive tiles often offer a wider range of designs, textures, and finishes. Premium options may include unique patterns, sophisticated glazes, and high-end aesthetic features.
As expected, a higher MOHS rating typically commands a higher price. A tile could be less costly if its clay body is brittle or not tinted to match its glaze. Through-body and color-body porcelains tend to be pricier than glazed porcelains since the clay is colored to harmonize with the surface glaze.
How to check porcelain tiles? ›
ANSWER - The general rule of thumb for whether a ceramic tile is a porcelain type of ceramic tile or another ceramic tile body type is that the porcelain tile body cannot have an absorption rate greater than 1/2 of 1% (0.5%). If the tile body readily absorbs water then it certainly isn't porcelain.
Why are porcelain tiles different prices? ›
Tile Design
However, there are a number of factors that can affect the price of porcelain tiles such as the manufacturer, the country of origin, the depth/quality of the printing process, etc. But the thing that affects tile pricing the most is the design.
