14 October 2026
Porcelain vs Ceramic Tiles: What's the Difference?
Short answer: porcelain and ceramic tiles are both made from clay fired in a kiln. Porcelain uses finer clay and is fired at higher temperatures, so it's denser, harder and absorbs very little water. That makes it better suited to floors, wet areas and outdoors. Ceramic is usually lighter and easier to cut, and is widely used on walls.
Water absorption
Porcelain is defined by very low water absorption — generally 0.5% or less by weight. Lower absorption means better resistance to moisture and, for tiles rated for it, to frost.
Durability
Porcelain's dense body stands up well to heavy foot traffic, which is why it's the usual choice for living areas, kitchens and commercial floors. Through-body and full-body porcelain carry the colour through the tile, so chips are less noticeable.
Cutting and laying
Ceramic wall tiles are softer and easier to cut. Porcelain needs sharper tools and suitable adhesive — talk to your tiler about the right products for your substrate.
Which should I choose?
- Floors, bathrooms, laundries, outdoor areas: porcelain.
- Feature walls and splashbacks: either — choose on look, size and budget.
Every tile on our site lists its material in the specifications.