The difference
Both are made from fired clay. Porcelain uses finer clay fired hotter, so it's denser, harder and soaks up almost no water (under 0.5%). Ceramic is lighter, softer and easier to cut, and comes in the widest choice of colours and glazes.
| Ceramic | Porcelain | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price per m² | £15–£35 | £15–£60, more for large formats |
| Walls | Ideal | Ideal |
| Floors | Light use only | Everywhere, including hallways and kitchens |
| Showers and wet rooms | Walls | Walls and floors |
| Underfloor heating | Walls only | Yes |
| Outdoors | No | 20 mm outdoor porcelain only |
| Cutting and fitting | Quicker | Needs better tools and flexible adhesive |
Our advice
- Walls: ceramic is perfect and saves money, especially metro and patterned tiles.
- Floors, showers and wet rooms: porcelain, with a slip rating of R10 or higher for bathrooms and R11 for wet rooms.
- Wood, marble or stone looks: porcelain gives the look without the sealing and upkeep.
- Outdoors: only 20 mm outdoor porcelain, laid on a full mortar bed.
Not sure what's in the box? The label usually says, and the box label guide shows what to look for. Or browse both in the tile shop.