What is Porcelain Tile?

Porcelain tile is tile made from 50 percent feldspar and 50 percent high quality clay that is fired at extremely high temperatures.

Firing Temperatures

Porcelain tiles are fired at 2200 degrees Fahrenheit, as opposed to the 1800 degrees Fahrenheit firing temperature of ceramic tiles, which allows the tile to be much more impervious to water than ceramic tile.

Density

Porcelain tiles are pressed at 6000 pounds of pressure per square inch, rendering them extremely dense and strong.

Absorption

To be considered porcelain, the tile must have a water absorption rate of 0.5 percent or less; in contrast, ceramic tile typically has a water absorption rate of 3 percent or higher.

Color

Porcelain tile is manufactured with color throughout the entire tile, as opposed to a surface-applied glaze, which results in fewer visible scratches.