
Whether you want to renovate your bathroom or install new tiles in the lobby or the laundry room, people spend a lot of time deciding between porcelain tiles and natural stones. We always suggest our readers make a choice depending on their lifestyle and how they want to use that space.
Porcelain tiles are best for places that have children and pets. It is so because they are easy to maintain. On the other hand, natural stones are best for a pet-free home.
To help you make the right decision, we have brought this blog to answer all your questions. We will provide expert knowledge on these tiles.
This blog will take you through some major differences between porcelain tiles and natural stones.
What is the difference between porcelain tiles and natural stones?
There are numerous tiling options available these days, but you can still maintain the quality. Natural stones are generally the top choice of people because it has been used in domestic and commercial projects for decades. Porcelain tiles, on the other hand, have gained popularity recently because of their wide benefits. Kitchen tiles made of porcelain are a huge hit these days!!
Now, we will explore the difference between porcelain tiles and natural stones as well as the pros and cons of the two so that our readers can know which is better between the two.
Natural Stone
Natural stones are made using natural elements. They are available in numerous varieties like marble, granite, quartz, onyx, baseplate, and travertine. Their diverse nature makes them fit for any decor.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are hard types of ceramic tiles. It is made of refined clay fired at high temperatures in a kiln. This makes them durable, long-lasting, and resistant to scratches and stains. These tiles are best for bathrooms and kitchens due to their water-resistant property.
Porcelain Tiles Vs Natural Stones: Which flooring option is better for you?
Durability
Natural Stone Tiles
Since natural stones take thousands of years to form, they are durable and long-lasting. It has been used for residential and commercial projects for years. For example, granite stone is best for places that have a high amount of traffic. It can easily withstand the weight of heavy vehicles. It is also suitable for exteriors as it is the other name of strength and durability.
Porcelain Tiles
These tiles are a mixture of sand, clay, and minerals baked at high temperatures. It makes them dense, less porous, and extremely tough. It means these tiles are suitable to take the weight of vehicles and can also withstand extreme temperature conditions without being damaged!! They are widely used as living room floor tiles. What more does one need?
Maintenance
Natural Stone
Natural stones need a lot of maintenance, depending on your chosen stone. Stones need specific cleaning techniques, and you must care for the growth of any moss or algae on them. It requires heavy-duty cleaning.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles, on the other hand, need very little maintenance. They are the best for people with little time and are extremely busy. Since they have a glazed surface, there is no need to seal them. These tiles are waterproof, which means no stain can penetrate inside the stone.
Colour and Finish
Natural Stone
Since natural stones are purely organic, they come in limited colours. They come in their unique shade and variations from slab to slab.
Porcelain Tiles
What is amazing about porcelain tiles is that they can be made in any colour, and their surfaces closely resemble natural stones. Whether you want a marble finish or a limestone finish, porcelain tiles can do the trick. They are available in different eye-catching colours and designs. They can fit any decor and are best for residential and commercial spaces.
Cost
Natural Stone
Natural stones are a bit costly and come with installation costs. Remember that the cost of natural stone can increase while installing it in your projects because other factors add up to the total price. Above all, it requires a lot of maintenance and additional cleaning to remove even the slightest stain.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are pretty economical and can fit any budget. Their starting price is somewhat less than natural stone tiles. However, the price can increase when you choose high-end patterns made by specialised artists in Britain.
Resistance to Moisture
Natural stones are porous. It means they are sensitive to moisture and are very easy to stain. We always advise our readers to seal natural stones to overcome these issues properly. This will surely increase the durability and longevity of stone tiles.
Porcelain Tiles
The way porcelain tiles are manufactured overcomes all the drawbacks of natural stones. They are moisture-resistant, and there is no need to seal them. They can be cleaned and maintained with a lot of ease.
Which is better- Porcelain Tiles or Natural Stones
There is no wrong in asking this question. From the overall blog, one thing is pretty clear: porcelain tiles are stronger than natural stones. They are denser and can withstand high amounts of traffic.
Porcelain tiles are the best if you want variety, water resistance, less maintenance, affordability, and durability. On the other hand, natural stones have an eye-catching finish, but they need much maintenance and cleaning.
While choosing, we suggest you take your time and decide which one is the best for your project.
Inner Space has a great collection of porcelain tiles. You may need to choose the perfect tile for your Space. Our team will assist you in finding the best flooring option for your dream project!! We have a wide range of kitchen and living room floor tiles, and we also deal in Amtico Spacia.
Explore our range now!!!