Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles are both made of Clay but during the processing of Porcelain Tiles, a mix of higher grade clays are used which are fired at more extreme temperatures than ceramic. This makes Porcelain harder and denser than Ceramic Tiles. Since Porcelain is more recent technology, they offer unmatched design versatility which mimic marbles, wood, stones etc.

Yes, Porcelain Tiles are better than Ceramic Tiles. Porcelain Tiles are stronger and more durable than Ceramic Tiles. Moreover, Ceramic Tiles are more porous than Porcelain Tiles because of which the water absorption of Porcelain Tiles is far lesser than that of the Ceramic Tiles. As a result of which Porcelain Tiles are more stain resistant and require less frequent cleaning in comparison to Ceramic Tiles.

There are two basic types of Porcelain Tiles.
A) Full Body/Through-bodied Porcelain Tile : The colour and texture run all the way through the body of this Tile, because of which scratches or chipping isn’t easily visible.
B) Glazed Porcelain Tile : These Tiles are coated with a layer of glaze before the tile passes through the Kiln. On this layer of glaze any kind of design can be imprinted using high definition inkjet printers. It is strong and dense and offers a wide range of patterns and designs. The top extra glaze layer adds to the strength of the Tile.

PGVT is the abbreviation of Polished Glazed Vitrified Tiles. As the name suggests, PGVT Tiles are from the family of GVT Tiles but it has a polished surface which has a high reflective index. The glossy look provides a shiny and rich look. They are easier to clean since they have a smooth surface and doesn’t have many crevices for dust and dirt to settle. They are ideal for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.
GVT Tiles are predominantly available in Matte finish which helps increase traction and are less slippery. This prevents accidents and can be used in water prone areas. They are resistant to moisture because of its porous nature and is highly recommended to be used in outdoor areas and washrooms. Since it is incredibly durable and easy to maintain they are perfect for high traffic areas.

GVT Tiles in Matte finish is the most preferable tile for washroom & kitchen floors because of its anti-slip properties. However for the washroom & kitchen walls PGVT tiles can be used because of the richness and shine it provides.

A very difficult question to answer. Porcelain Tile is a popular choice worldwide because of its durability, beauty and versatile design choices. Since they have hard surface they are less prone to scratches and also wear & tear. Hence, it is considered to have a lifespan of atleast 25-30 years.
Vinyl Tiles are flexible and slightly soft underfoot. Vinyl floors are considered to be a good option for high moisture environments. They are tough, durable and virtually maintenance free. A spill can easily be contained by a soft mop. A good quality vinyl is expected to easily last 10-15 years.

For the Floor :
It totally depends on the room’s size. For large rooms it is recommended to use Tiles of bigger sizes like 120cmx240cm, 120cmx120cm, 80cmx80cm because there would be less joints. This would add on to the grandeur of the room.
For smaller rooms, it is recommended to use 60cmx60cm for the floor. This is a medium sized tile which is the most popular size in the market.

For the Walls :
Again the same rules apply…it totally depends on the room’s size. For living rooms, where Tiles are generally used on the TV wall, it is considered that bigger the Tiles..better. Hence, generally 120x240 and bigger sizes are preferred. However for washrooms, tiles of sizes 80cmx160cm, 60cmx120cm, 30x60cm, 30x45cm etc. are generally used.
Generally it is preferred to use rectangular shaped Tiles for the walls and square shaped tiles for the Floor. This is not a hard and fast rule and it is ultimately the client’s choice. After the influx of bigger sized Tiles like 60cmx120cm,120cmx240cm etc., these sizes are extensively used for flooring as well.