Flooring tiles are typically available in a range of materials, but of them all, porcelain and natural stone (marbles, granite, quartz, sandstone, slate and so on) are often among the most popular choices. Here, we take a look at both porcelain and stone tiles and review their advantages and disadvantages.
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Tile Cost and Installation
Natural stone is among the most expensive tile materials available, so in terms of cost, porcelain tiles will offer greater savings. Natural stone’s expense also extends into the installation phase of your project.
Natural stone installation requires thicker adhesives for the natural irregularities in the surface of the material. Natural stone also needs to be installed by an experienced hand, for example, as some types of marble will warp if the wrong adhesive is used.
Aesthetic Values
Stone has a look that’s crafted by nature, so every tile is unique, ageless and beautiful. Porcelain, on the other hand, is a manufactured product that is created to mimic the look of natural stone. To the untrained eye, some high quality porcelain tiles look and feel incredibly like natural stone, for example, marble like tiles, mimic granite porcelain tile, but to a carefully look, the porcelain tiles are not individually unique as stone.
Moisture Resistance
Stone tiles tend to be moisture-sensitive because of the material’s inherent defects, such as tiny fissures, holes, chips and weak spots. This makes it susceptible to staining, and as a result, natural stone tiles call for regular sealing in order to resist moisture.
Porcelain, however, is virtually impervious to moisture. Unlike natural stone, with the compressed density, porcelain has hardly any pores available for moisture to infiltrate.
Requisite Maintenance
Maintenance for natural stone tile tends to be determined by your choices. For instance, polished honed tiles have fewer maintenance needs than unpolished tiles. The same goes for stone, as granite demands less maintenance than marble, which is a much softer stone.
Porcelain is extremely resilient therefore, it requires very little maintenance. As a consequence, porcelain tiles are more popular for those who want a less maintenance.
After comparing the pros and cons of the two, do you have a clear cognition about them? Hope this will be helpful for you make a better choice for your market or project.
Reference: Helen Hutchinson.（20, April. 2019）Porcelain Vs Natural Stone Tiles – Product Comparison. Retrieved from: http://www.europeanheritage.co.uk/blog/porcelain-vs-natural-stone-tiles-product-comparison/
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