Porcelain vs. Pottery

These two words are used interchangeably by most people. Even the best traders are often guilty of replacing one of these words with another. This is because they are cousin products. Their manufacturing methods can be very similar. To distinguish between these products, flooring experts will refer to the latter grade or PEI number (short for Porcelain Enamel Institute) to tell you the quality level of porcelain or ceramics.

In this figure, you can see that the Ceramic is colored only on the surface, while the Porcelain  is colored throughout the paste. Discoloration of the entire paste is a typical feature of many porcelains. However, you should be aware that the color of the paste is different from the surface, as porcelain can also be enamel-coated.

It is important to note that both types of products are made from clay or clay that can be decorated and then fired. The difference is that porcelain is made of clay and various minerals, the particles of which are much finer than ceramics. These finer particles allow for compression and higher cookability. The minerals then fuse well during the firing process, which increases the strength of the tile. Unlike pottery, porcelain is much denser and its coloring often pervades the entire paste. Porcelain generally absorbs less than 0.5% water, while ceramics can absorb between 0.5% and 4%. Beyond the
number, this means that porcelain is harder and more elastic. Therefore, porcelain is ideal for the following applications: heavy traffic, humid places, and even outdoors! We recommend choosing China for the bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and even basements, which are the wettest places in the house

On the other hand, ceramics are more porous, but they also have interesting advantages. It is easy to cut and is the best product to lay on the wall. In addition, ceramics are often cheaper than porcelain. If you pay close attention to the underfloor and tile glue during installation, you will find that they may well withstand your needs. However, it is advisable to use high quality ceramics for the floor and clean it with a damp mop.