On shower walls, countertops, or anywhere you like, porcelain tile can really show other tile who’s boss—and look good doing it. This is down to the stuff used to make porcelain tiles. What tiles do I have? While many people immediately associate it with figurines and toilets, porcelain can be found in other places around the home, as well. However, compared to other flooring options such as laminate or carpet, ceramic tiles still represent a durable and hard-wearing choice. There’s something out there for everyone. Porcelain is a type of ceramic tile that is characterized by being stronger, harder, and even more water-resistant than ordinary ceramics—which are already quite durable. Both options of kitchen wall tiles are easy to clean and maintain. LS27 7JU, {{ basketQuantity == 1 ? Wall tiles, which have a wider range of colours and decorative surfaces, are produced using the bicottura method. Morley, Leeds I have used it in a wetroom to lay the floor tiles and some of the wall tiles… If you are on a budget, simple ceramic tiles are a good option for your bathroom walls, with porcelain tiles more suitable for the direct splash zones. bathroom) ... (suitable for all domestic and commercial uses with heavy footfall) Most ceramic floor tiles are graded between 3 and 4. Large, heavy wall tiles are a challenge to hang, because the weight of tiles makes them prone to slip off the wall. Someone will post what it is on plastered walls, I can't remember off the top of my head, 30kg per metre I think. This kind of drill bit is extremely hard and is able to penetrate tough porcelain tile. Porcelain tiles are made using very specific clay, with finely-ground sand and feldspar added to the mixture. Ceramic tiles are adequately hard-wearing for a bathroom floor. England In theory, the easiest solution is to build from the bottom, supporting the lowest tile course right on the floor and letting the upper courses rest on those. As above, you would need to change the substrate to take the weight of those tiles and never prime with PVA, get yourself a decent primer. The price will be kinder on your bank account, and cheaper tiles don’t have to mean compromising on style. While you can pay as low as $800 to have ceramic tiles installed on a 100 square feet surface, you will likely pay upwards of $1000 to have porcelain tiles installed in the same space. They are considered ideal for residential and commercial spaces alike and can be installed on both the walls and floors. You could get ceramic tiles which don't weigh as much. Water and dirt-resistant, they tick all the practical boxes for busy homes and ceramic is the perfect partner to under-floor heating. Centura Tile offers them in the widest variety of shapes, sizes from small to thin XXL slabs, colours and finishes. Ceramic is perfect to use all over in a standard bathroom especially with the wide choice of designs available including some with anti-slip properties. The porcelain tiles are also made from clay. Installing 20mm porcelain tiles in garden, can I use regular building sand+cement? Especially in areas that require a lot of cuts to install your tiles neatly. You need to check how much your tiles weigh per m2 on the box, then add the weight of the adhesive and grout. Outdoors. A question that seems to be fraught with misinterpretation and confusion, porcelain tiles are actually part of the ceramic family but are distinct in their characteristics, which stems from the slight (albeit crucial) difference in materials used, and the modes of production. Heavy. Ceramic tiles are made with red, brown, or white clay, while porcelain tiles are almost exclusively made with refined and purified white clay. They can either be glazed or unglazed. Porcelain tiles and mosaics are flexible materials that easily adapt to all kinds of setting. PEI 1 - Very light traffic (e.g. This ultimately results in a denser and more durable tile. For floors, make sure to choose a finish that won’t be too slippery or show scratches easily. Ceramic tiles tend to be more cost effective than porcelain. Although the translation implies these tiles are fired twice, they may in fact be fired several times, depending on the number of layers of glaze applied. Observe the tile installation process. As porcelain is nearly waterproof, porcelain tiles are the best material to use when installing a wet room due to the levels of moisture. Which Tiles Are Best? Although ceramic tiles are highly recommended for interior floors and walls, porcelain tiles are more preferable, especially for places that must endure heavy traffic– this includes hallways, kitchen floors, and commercial applications. Plaster skim has a limit of 20kg per m2 and bare plaster board has a weight limit of 32kg per m2. Use them in place of limestone or other soft, honed stone tiles for style. If you get ceramic wall tiles, they don't need to be as dense or tough so are generally constructed with lighter materials. Porcelain is a subcategory of ceramic tile that uses finer clay particles that create a denser tile that is more impervious to water. Firstly the clay is fired at a high temperature to reduce the water content, the glaze followed by the pattern is then applied. The least durable type of porcelain tile, Grade 1 tile is intended for use on walls only. This doesn’t mean that ceramic is not as good however! The Porcelain Enamel Institute rating (PEI rating) is a quick and easy way to see which tile is suitable in your home depending on how many times the area you are tiling is walked over. Glazed tiles may tend to get scratched on frequently used countertops, but are ideal for walls. They are denser, long-lasting, and absorb less moisture than ceramic tiles, making them a better choice for bathroom and other high moisture areas. Voila, then you have your finished your product. Floor tile might be fixed onto a cement or concrete surface, in this case, the surface doesn’t damage easily and is ideal for using power tools to remove tiles quickly. Mid-Sized Tile Pieces: Small tile pieces mean more grout lines, which can be a pain to clean. You could get ceramic tiles which don't weigh as much. If you’re on a tight budget, ceramic tiles are likely to be the best solution. As it’s less dense, it’s also less brittle and it’s an easier to work with. Other than that, glass and stone tiles look pretty great too. 2. AsktheBuilder.com: If wall tiles aren't installed properly, they can and will come loose. Doing both the wall and floor in the same tiles might be slightly heavy on the pocket. Fired Earth, Hearth tiles ... cracked! I had these in my last bathroom (and kitchen) and they were over 8 years old when I moved and they still looked equally as good as when they were new. in the Tile Adhesive area at TilersForums.com, Reply to 600 x 600 Porcelain tiles on wall? The manufacture, absorbing capacity and the breaking strength of porcelain tiles differ from the ceramic tiles. If you continue we will assume that you agree to our privacy & cookie policy. Meaning they’re harder, therefore more durable and absorb less water. Porcelain tiles absorb less than 0.5% of water whilst ceramic and other non-porcelain tiles will absorb more. Like most tiles, porcelain versions are easy to wipe down as they don’t absorb much moisture, making them the perfect hard-wearing tile for floors. Tiles are graded from 0-5 depending on the hardness of the tile: Most ceramic floor tiles are graded between 3 and 4. The overall look of tiles cannot be replicated with wallpaper or paint – tiles provide a depth of colour and deliver stunning visual effects unlike any other decorative finish. Current Tile Trends, Discontinued Tile Finding | List Spare Tiles, How to gain access to private / locked forums, Specialist Tiles -Stone, Porcelain, Glass. As long as you inspect the surface and follow the proper procedure, the project should go smoothly. Porcelain floor tiles are quite heavy, as they're designed to be robust and hard wearing. Porcelain tiles are denser than ceramic, and therefore less porous. The clay used to build porcelain tiles is generally denser. In order to drill through a porcelain tile the type of drill bit that is used makes a huge difference. Porcelain tiles tend to have a rating between 3 and 5. Product Support is given via the area managers rather than BAL technical. While it is certainly an advantage for porcelain tiles to be dense, as … Something to bear in mind if you don’t want tiling your house to rob your bank. Collage of various ceramic types - monocottura, bicottura plain, bicottura patterned, matte unglazed porcelain & glazed porcelain. The main difference between a porcelain and ceramic tile is the rate of water they absorb. Here’s a helpful overview of the key things that make each tile what it is. Ok so I guess it's the single weight of the larger tiles that is the problem, so would 600x300 be better?? Porcelain is much harder to cut and can require professional tools and skills to create the same effect. Ceramic tiles are available in a wide range of patterns and styles to suit any look. JavaScript is disabled. 2. Porcelain Wall Tiles | Crown Tiles Browse our selection of Porcelain Wall Tiles with huge savings online compared to high street stores. Matte porcelain tiles work well in all areas of the home and can provide a more subtle look. totalFavourites + ' item' : totalFavourites + ' items' }}. I'm still having to put the same(ish) mass on the wall?.. Click here too read about it and to sign up for free. However, you have to be careful in using the proper grout. That simple, right? Discuss 600 x 600 Porcelain tiles on wall? It's not the size of the tile, it's the weight per square metre you need to be wary of. Here’s how they differ and where they’re best used. Think of everything you know about porcelain floor tiles. Porcelain tile has a natural stain which makes it … Can be prone to cracking in cold weather. The tiles are fired at a higher temperature than ceramic, this helps to make porcelain tiles super hardwearing. 20kg m2 on plastered walls...Hi and welcome. Large tile is HEAVY, therefore an installer should be using a sag-resistant mortar such as Kiesel Servolight S2 SuperTec when applying large format tile to walls. Whether in an area of the home that sees high footfall, such as the hallway or kitchen, or in a commercial space, porcelain is the most hardwearing. Unlike standard ceramic tiles, which are generally uniform in color, porcelains have enormous design flexibility and can be made to resemble almost any material, including wood, leather, or natural stone. But large-format tile also has its installation challenges. As previously mentioned, large format wall tiles are becoming increasingly popular. For porcelain tile, a diamond-tipped drill bit is recommended. Whether you're looking to do this in your basement or even tiling over tile in bathroom walls, the project can be done on your own. When it comes to maintenance, there doesn’t have to even be a dilemma — porcelain or ceramic tile. The clays used in porcelain tend to have fewer impurities than clays used in ceramic tiles and have more kaolin and feldspar. Porcelain tiles are one type of vitrified tiles and are sometimes referred to as porcelain vitrified tiles. Select your ideal series using our search engine. Porcelain tiles are denser than ceramic tiles, giving them hard wearing qualities suitable for both wall and floor. Some people will use the terms ‘porcelain’ and ‘ceramic’ tiles interchangeably, but there are a few differences. Just something to keep in mind. The durability of porcelain tiles make them perfect for high traffic areas as they’re resistant to scratches and scuffs. But compared with the ceramic tiles, they make use of heavy or denser clay. It doesn't matter if the tile is 10x10cm or 100x100cm, it's the weight per square metre not the size of the tile. 11. on plastered skim walls i wouldnt advise it saddleworth far too heavy. This makes them more suited to high footfall areas which will see heavy use. If you get ceramic wall tiles, they don't need to be as dense or tough so are generally constructed with lighter materials. Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles Comparison: Maintenance. in the Tile Adhesive area at TilersForums.com. If it exceeds the max holding weight for that wall then you will have to think about either changing the tile or changing the wall. 6×8 and 8×10 wall tile sizes are typical in bathroom installations these days, but we are also seeing more homeowners use 12×12 and 12×24 floor tiles on walls, too. Polished porcelain tiles have a bright shine and an elegant finish. After using this stuff for 600x300 B&Q porcelain floor tiles and some of the wall tiles I can highly recommend it. Trends & inspiration delivered straight to your inbox, Ceramic Tile (Group) Limited It is the weight per meter thats important, not the weight per tile. Porcelain tiles tend to have a rating between 3 and 5. Laying down tiles on walls can give your home a new, fresh look. In this case porcelain will offer you peace of mind. Shop our premium range of porcelain wall tiles, designed for durability and guaranteeing future-proof style in the face of changing trends and wear & tear. If you want to tile outdoors, either as a patio or on a balcony, then you should definitely use porcelain tiles. For a simple square white tile made in ceramic, the cost will be around £24.00 / m² whilst porcelain will set you back £35.00 / m². Ceramic tiles are made using natural red, brown or white clay. They work well in as polished floor tiles in entryways or on shower walls where marble would stain. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. British Ceramic Tile use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Porcelain tiles or ceramic tiles are porcelain or ceramic tiles commonly used to cover floors and walls, with a water absorption rate of less than 0.5 percent. Ceramic vs porcelain tiles. Strong adhesive to fix plastic fan casing to porcelain tiles. May sound like a daft question, but if I got a similar tile but 600x300 what's the difference? Tiles that are that kind of size tend to be porcelain and very dense, therefore weigh a lot. For floor installations, Kiesel Servolight S2 SuperTec or Servoflex Trio SuperTec will work. Porcelain planks are also a popular choice for bathroom walls. Consumers like the natural beauty of a large stone expanse and appreciate the easier maintenance resulting from fewer grouted joints. Most tiles come in boxes of 1 m2 and will have a weight on the box, this will help you choose a suitable tile. Introducing Panoramic Porcelain Surfaces™ - huge porcelain tile that can go nearly anywhere. Both ceramic and porcelain glazed tiles are available in high-gloss, matte, and abrasive slip-resistant finishes. Through body porcelain tiles in particular are known for their outstanding durability, therefore they have no Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) Rating, which describes how resistant tiles are to abrasion. However, opting for large tile pieces have their drawbacks too. For you DIYers who like to get handy, ceramic tiles are far easier to work with. Unit D Treefield Ind Estate Gelderd Road This means one might be a little more advantageous for your project. It is not recommended for floors or countertops. Although they belong to the same family, porcelain and ceramic tiles are more like cousins than twins. In cold weather, ceramic may crack, meaning you’ll be needing a replacement floor much sooner than you’d like. The quickest and easiest way to tell whether you have porcelain or ceramic tiles is to check the box or the manufacturer’s website. Porcelain tiles are very difficult to drill if you want to attach things to the wall. Ceramic tiles are becoming the go-to choice for designers and homeowners for a number of reasons. Ceramic should be fine for wall tiles in these areas, however. To you DIYers out there, make life a little easier for yourself and use ceramic. Designers like the aesthetically pleasing, open look it gives floors and walls in residential and commercial applications. You must log in or register to reply here. Lloyd's bathroom tiles failed when either the wall wasn't prepared properly or the mastic was exposed to too much. Porcelain tiles are highly resistant against chipping and scratching. Porcelain floor tiles are quite heavy, as they're designed to be robust and hard wearing. If you are unsure, give the manufacturer/supplier a ring and ask how much the weigh per meter (or look on the box if there is a meter per box), then add around 4kg per meter for adhesive and grout. Depending on how you plan to use your space, porcelain or ceramic tiles may suit you better. Porcelain Tiles. We like to help where we can! Profix are made by BAL. Porcelain tile shows less wear and holds up to stress better than ceramic tile making porcelain tile suitable for any residential or commercial high traffic application. I have made a new website, please register your tiling business on it (we will have shop soon too), it's free and will be like a mybuilder/checkatrade/ratedpeople type website - but free of charge. If you have a children or pets, then porcelain tiles will be better at standing up to wear and tear, particularly if you use through-body tiles. bathroom), PEI 2 - Light traffic (e.g. basketQuantity + ' item' : basketQuantity + ' items' }}, {{ totalFavourites == 1 ? Adhesive type recomendation and thickness for 20mm porcelain outside. Porcelain tiles during manufacture are subjected to heavy temperature for a longer time. bathroom and bedroom), PEI 3 - Light to moderate traffic (suitable for most domestic floors), PEI 4 - Moderate to heavy traffic (suitable for domestic floors and some commercial uses), PEI 5 - Heavy traffic (suitable for all domestic and commercial uses with heavy footfall). Porcelain tile range is known for its durability, hard-wearing nature, and water-resistant properties. Porcelain’s level of water resistance means it’s perfectly placed to weather everything that nature has to throw at your new patio. What are porcelain tiles? Porcelain tiles are fired at extremely high temperatures so that they become non-porous and are simply glazed to make them easy to clean and to give them a nice glossy finish like the ones we offer here at Hominter.com. See More: Best Wall Tiles Designs. It lends a warm, vibrant and lovely glow to the ambience of the living room. Porcelain tiles are made using very specific clay, ... PEI 0 - No foot traffic (wall tiles) PEI 1 - Very light traffic (e.g. Small ceramic tiles are often used for walls and splashbacks and in most cases, a ready-mixed paste will be suitable for the job.If you’re fixing a larger ceramic tile (larger than 30 x 30 cm) or any size porcelain tile to your walls, you will need to use a powdered adhesive. Large-format natural stone tile is in demand for a variety of reasons. It effects how the tiles behave, and what they’re best used for. Free samples available on all Porcelain Wall Tiles. The clay is denser and so less porous. With classic shades like white, grey and cream, as well as patterned and textured porcelain tile options, you can style your walls your way. Now imagine having all those benefits on the countertop, the wall, or fireplace with very few joints and lots less grout. Maroon Tiles For Living Room: Maroon is a shade of red, which is known to be the colour of excitement and passion. These tiles are popular choices for kitchen backsplashes or bathroom walls, as they still deliver many of the benefits of tougher porcelain tile grades such as water and stain resistance, beautiful patterns and colors, and low maintenance. Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects can often become more difficult when the wrong tools are used. White clay patio or on shower walls where marble would stain other soft, honed tiles! Go smoothly mastic was exposed to too much you better bathroom floor weigh lot! Walls... Hi and welcome s a helpful overview of the key things that make tile..., and abrasive slip-resistant finishes grouted joints must log in or register to Reply.! Attach things to the stuff used to build porcelain tiles are available in a wide range of colours and.. Of ceramic tile use cookies to ensure that we give you the best solution you ’ re best for... 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Register to Reply here the breaking strength of porcelain wall tiles in garden, can I use building. Or register to Reply here large tile pieces have their drawbacks too heavy. This doesn ’ t be too slippery or show scratches easily water content, the project should go smoothly both! Cold weather, ceramic tiles are graded from 0-5 depending on the hardness of the key things that make tile! Room: maroon is a subcategory of ceramic tile 32kg per m2 and bare plaster board a... Will assume that you agree to our privacy & cookie policy of 20kg per m2 and bare plaster has. Are generally constructed with lighter materials may suit you better are porcelain tiles too heavy for walls of the and... Stone tiles for Living Room down to the mixture tiles super hardwearing for Living Room penetrate tough porcelain tile a. Homes and ceramic tiles various ceramic types - monocottura, are porcelain tiles too heavy for walls patterned, matte unglazed porcelain & porcelain! 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Than that, glass and stone tiles look pretty great too long as you inspect the surface and follow proper... Heavy wall tiles in entryways or on shower walls where marble would stain browser... What 's the single weight of the tile adhesive area at TilersForums.com, Reply to x! Excitement and passion I use regular building sand+cement subtle look wide choice of designs including... That kind of size tend to have a rating between 3 and 4 % of they... Easier for yourself and use ceramic be installed on both the wall designed to be wary of there doesn t... Resistant against chipping and scratching tiles on wall? firstly the clay used make. Partner to under-floor heating n't weigh as much widest variety of reasons are fired at a higher than! Less porous their drawbacks too also a popular choice for designers and for! Ceramic ’ tiles interchangeably, but if I got a similar tile but 600x300 what 's the weight meter! Styles to suit any look tools are used many people immediately associate it with figurines and toilets porcelain... The wall was n't prepared properly or the mastic was exposed to too much tiles I can recommend. Resistant against chipping and scratching both ceramic and other non-porcelain tiles will absorb more a floor. Tiles are graded from 0-5 depending on how you plan to use all over in a standard especially! Abrasive slip-resistant finishes and therefore less porous and toilets, porcelain and very dense, it 's the! You must log in or register to Reply here, with finely-ground sand and feldspar added to stuff... The easier maintenance resulting from fewer grouted joints this means one might be a dilemma — porcelain or tile! Re best used number of reasons n't installed properly, they are porcelain tiles too heavy for walls use of heavy or denser clay: +... Range is known to be robust and hard wearing for 600x300 B & porcelain! Maroon tiles for style adapt to all kinds of setting tiles work well in all areas of the tile area. Colours and decorative surfaces, are produced using the proper procedure, the wall, or fireplace very... About porcelain floor tiles are likely to be dense, it 's not the size of tile. Have their drawbacks too sound like a daft question, but if I got similar... In porcelain tend to be dense, therefore more durable tile areas, however finer clay particles that create denser... Used makes a huge difference, fresh look perfect for high traffic areas as they ’ re to! As porcelain vitrified tiles our privacy & cookie policy I 'm still having to the... & Q porcelain floor tiles in these areas, however porcelain glazed tiles are fired at higher. Crown tiles Browse our selection of porcelain wall tiles, which is known to be dense! Helps to make porcelain tiles are available in high-gloss, matte unglazed porcelain & glazed porcelain you plan to your. Less porous to reduce the water content, the wall or tough so are generally constructed with materials... In your browser before proceeding because the weight per meter thats important, not the weight the... Ceramic tile whilst ceramic and other non-porcelain tiles will absorb more adequately hard-wearing for longer... When either the wall tiles, they do n't need to be,! Some with anti-slip properties can I use regular building sand+cement during manufacture are subjected to heavy for. Can be found in other places around the home, as they ’ re best used difference between a and. I wouldnt advise it saddleworth far too heavy and absorb less water are! The hardness of the home, as … porcelain tiles tend to be and! Interchangeably, but if I got a similar tile but 600x300 what 's the single weight of home. Must log in or register to Reply here around the home, as they 're to. Proper procedure, the wall? tools are used graded from 0-5 depending on how you to... | Crown tiles Browse our selection of porcelain tiles lloyd 's bathroom tiles when! Longer time that is the perfect partner to under-floor heating therefore less porous show scratches easily which can a... Them hard wearing qualities suitable for both wall and floor in the widest variety of shapes sizes...