While many people use the terms interchangeably, porcelain and ceramic floor tiles have some significant differences. You’ll find both when you’re shopping at Parker Floor Covering, which has the largest flooring section in the Hamilton, OH, area. Ceramic and porcelain are both suitable as kitchen or bathroom flooring, backsplash tiling, or shower tiling. Porcelain has the added benefit of being durable in both indoor and outdoor environments.

What’s the difference between these two materials? Here’s what you need to know.

All Porcelain Is Ceramic—But Not All Ceramic Is Porcelain

Ceramic is a general term for oven-fired clay that has been blended with minerals for additional strength. Porcelain is a more water-resistant type of ceramic, which must be certified to distinguish it from similar materials. While some ceramic floor tiles are labeled as porcelain, the name may be used for marketing purposes or to justify a higher price. Look for a certification mark to verify the material.

Porcelain Is Tested for Waterproof Properties

Genuine porcelain floor tile is certified as impervious to water by the American National Standards Institute and International Organization for Standards. If your project requires certified porcelain tile, look for the organizations’ respective seals on the packaging. Their tests determine how waterproof a product is by weighing it, boiling it for five hours, then letting it sit in water for 24 hours; ceramic floor tile can be called porcelain when it is within 0.5% of its beginning weight at the end of the test.

Whether you need ceramic floor tiles for your kitchen or hardwood and carpeting for your family’s bedrooms, you’ll find it at Parker Floor Covering. To learn more about their products, call (513) 863-6767. Visit their website for more information about their installation services.