Choosing new tiles can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with one of the most common questions:

“Should I choose ceramic tiles or porcelain tiles?”

Although they look similar, the two materials behave differently, perform differently, and suit different areas of the home. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right tile for your project, whether it’s a kitchen splashback, bathroom renovation, hallway floor or feature wall.

Below, we break down what ceramic tiles are, what porcelain tiles are, and which one is best for your needs.

What Are Ceramic Tiles?

Ceramic tiles are made from a mixture of clay, water and natural materials that are fired at a slightly lower temperature than porcelain. This results in a tile that is:

• Lightweight

• Easy to cut

• Budget-friendly

• Perfect for indoor wall use

They’re ideal for areas that don’t need extremely high durability, such as:

• Kitchen splashbacks

• Bathroom walls

• Feature walls

• Utility rooms

Ceramic tiles are especially popular for metro tiles.

What Are Porcelain Tiles?

Porcelain tiles are made from a more refined clay and fired at much higher temperatures, making them:

• Much denser

• More durable

• Harder and less porous

• Suitable for high-traffic and wet areas

Porcelain works perfectly for:

• Floors

• Bathrooms and wet rooms

• Kitchens

• Commercial spaces

• Anywhere you need extra strength

Key Differences at a Glance

Which Should You Choose?

Here’s a quick guide to make your decision easier:

Choose Ceramic If…

✔️ You’re tiling a wall
✔️ You want something easy to cut and install
✔️ You prefer a wallet-friendly option
✔️ You’re choosing metro tiles for splashbacks or bathrooms

Ceramic is perfect for almost all wall applications, especially our popular Metro and Dorset Handmade collections.

Choose Porcelain If…

✔️ You’re tiling the floor
✔️ You want maximum durability
✔️ You’re choosing tiles for a wet room
✔️ You want a premium, long lasting finish

Porcelain is the stronger and more water-resistant choice, making it ideal for any area that takes heavy use.

Are Porcelain Tiles Always Better?

Not necessarily, they’re simply designed for different jobs.

For floors and wet rooms, porcelain is unbeatable.

For walls, splashbacks and decorative layouts, ceramic tiles are more than strong enough and offer more colour and style choices, especially in metro styles.

Both materials are highly durable, long lasting, and easy to clean, making them excellent choices for any home.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles helps ensure you choose the right product for your home, and avoid overspending where you don’t need to.

• Ceramic = perfect for walls

• Porcelain = perfect for floors + high-moisture areas