137 Porcelain Floor Tile Advantages and Disadvantages

Porcelain Floor Tile Advantages and Disadvantages



Porcelain Floor Tile Advantages and Disadvantages

Porcelain is a type of ceramic that is characterized by being stronger, harder, purer, and more water resistant than these already durable materials. This inherent versatility gives it the ability to provide a number of benefits in a variety of architectural surface covering applications. However, as with all flooring options, there are both advantages and disadvantages to its use.

Benefits of Porcelain Flooring Tiles

  1. Durability: These are some of the toughest flooring options available. Hard, dense, and solid, porcelain is resistant to most heavy impact stresses, and can even be used in commercial environments. In general, this material should be classified with a PEI rating of at least 5, making it suitable for high traffic spaces and heavy equipment use.
  2. Liquid Resistance: The density of porcelain makes it more resistant to liquid penetration than other more porous types of ceramic. This can be increased through the application of a melted glass glaze, which will make any surface it is adhered to completely impervious to water.
  3. Stain Resistant: Another advantage of porcelain flooring is that it is naturally stain resistant. Being able to repel liquid penetration means that staining agents can’t easily penetrate down through the material dimensionally. When glazed this effect is even more dramatic, making it nearly impossible to discolor the surface of these tiles.
  4. Low Maintenance: The natural stain and water resistance of porcelain also helps to make it a very easy to maintain material. Spills can be spot cleaned with a damp rag when necessary, and regular sweeping will keep loose debris off the floor, helping to maintain any glazed surface protections which may be in place. Periodic damp mopping with a solution of pH balanced dish soap and water makes it easy to disinfect the area.
  5. Fireproof: Porcelain does not burn under any normal conditions, and these floors can help to restrict the transference and movement of flames if a fire breaks out.
  6. Lifespan: If properly installed and maintained, porcelain has the ability to last for decades of recommended use. This cuts down on the periodic cost of removal and replacement.
  7. Repairs: These materials tend to be resistant to cracking and breakage from physical impacts. However, if damage does occur to a tile, the individual porcelain piece can be removed and replaced. In general, it is a good idea to save an extra box or two of the product during installation to make color matching easier.

Porcelain Floor Tile Drawbacks

  • Weight: As with all hard tile flooring options these materials tend to be quite heavy. That can make the installation process a difficult and laborious task. It also restricts the use of these products in most second and upper story environments unless the building is specifically built to be able to handle the extra stress.
  • Price: Porcelain tiles can be somewhat pricey, and these materials often outpace already expensive standard ceramic options. This is increased by the cost of installation, which can add 25% – 50% of the total cost depending on the location, and specifics of the project. However, their floors can last for decades, paying off the initial investment over time.
  • Labeling: There are no clear regulations that require products labeled as porcelain to have specific characteristics. While the ASTM and the PTCA do have certification processes available, these are voluntary, and retailers are free to describe their tiles in any way they like. That can make it difficult to determine what you are actually purchasing and the characteristics that it will have.
  • Installation: The process of installing porcelain is difficult, time-consuming, and physically laborious. The material itself is heavy, and very hard, making it difficult to achieve precise cuts for architectural elements that may stick out into the space. Hiring a contractor to do the work can save you on expensive material waste, but it will increase the price of the project substantially.
  • Grout: While porcelain is nearly impervious to stains, damage and water penetration, the lines in between these tiles are still vulnerable. Grout is a porous material even when set, and it needs to be sealed in order to prevent damage from regular use. Even when properly cared for, these features can sometimes be corrupted by humidity and insidious moisture, causing them to discolor with mold and mildew.
On this topic: ( from category Flooring & Stairs )

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