Porcelain Tiles, What Are They and Why Are They So Popular?
Anyone looking for tiles for a bathroom, kitchen, living room or terrace will quickly come across one material again and again: porcelain stoneware. Today, a large proportion of modern floor tiles are made from this ceramic material – and porcelain tiles also make up the vast majority of the tile range at VITALE TILES.
But what exactly are porcelain tiles? What is the difference between porcelain stoneware and other ceramic tiles? And why is this material used in so many different areas?
In this guide, we explain how porcelain tiles are made, what advantages they offer and what you should consider when choosing them.
If you would like to compare different designs straight away, our tile collection includes a wide range of porcelain tiles in many sizes, colours and finishes.
What are porcelain tiles?
Porcelain tiles are very dense ceramic tiles with extremely low water absorption.
Ceramic tiles are generally produced from mineral raw materials that are shaped and then fired. In the case of porcelain stoneware, the raw materials are processed and fired at high temperatures to create a particularly dense ceramic body.
One of the most important technical characteristics is water absorption. Under ISO 13006, porcelain tiles are defined by a water absorption of no more than 0.5%.
This very low porosity is one of the main reasons why porcelain stoneware is so durable and versatile.
The result is a hard, dense ceramic tile that can be used in a wide variety of residential, commercial and outdoor applications.
Porcelain stoneware, ceramic tiles and wall tiles – what is the difference?
Not every ceramic tile has the same properties.
Traditional ceramic wall tiles often have a higher water absorption and are mainly designed for interior walls. They are commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens, where their low weight and decorative surfaces make them particularly practical.
Porcelain stoneware is much denser and absorbs significantly less water. For this reason, it has become one of the most important materials for modern floor tiles.
It is important to note that not every tile is automatically made of porcelain stoneware. Our range also includes specialised wall tiles, natural stone, glass and other materials.
For floors and large-format ceramic slabs, however, porcelain tiles are now extremely common.
Why are porcelain tiles so popular?
The popularity of porcelain stoneware has a simple explanation: it combines strong technical properties with enormous design freedom.
A modern porcelain tile does not have to look like traditional ceramic.
Digital manufacturing and printing technologies make it possible to create surfaces that reproduce marble, wood, concrete, travertine and natural stone in remarkable detail.
This allows homeowners, architects and designers to choose the look they want while benefiting from the practical advantages of a ceramic material.
Wood is a good example.
With wood-look tiles, it is possible to combine the warm appearance of a wooden floor with a ceramic surface.
One example is ACTUALLY HONEY by Marazzi. This porcelain stoneware tile uses an elongated plank format and recreates the natural character of timber with a matt ceramic surface.
1. Porcelain tiles absorb very little water
One of the most important properties of porcelain stoneware is its extremely low water absorption.
The material has a dense structure and therefore absorbs very little moisture.
This makes porcelain tiles particularly interesting for bathrooms, kitchens, hallways and entrance areas.
Low water absorption is also important outdoors. Water that penetrates a porous material can expand when it freezes and cause damage.
Porcelain stoneware therefore offers excellent basic conditions for outdoor applications.
However, this does not mean that every porcelain tile is automatically suitable for every terrace or balcony.
For outdoor use, additional properties such as frost resistance, slip resistance, surface texture, thickness and the intended installation method need to be considered.
Our garden slabs include many porcelain stoneware products specifically developed for terraces, balconies and gardens, including numerous 2 cm outdoor tiles.
2. Porcelain tiles are highly durable
Another major advantage of porcelain stoneware is its durability.
The material is highly compacted and fired at high temperatures. This creates a hard ceramic surface that can withstand daily use very well.
Porcelain tiles are therefore frequently used in bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, dining areas, hallways, entrances, staircases, shops, restaurants and public buildings.
The actual performance always depends on the technical properties of the individual product.
For particularly demanding areas, full-body porcelain stoneware can be an interesting solution. In these products, the material structure and colour extend further through the tile body rather than being limited to the decorative surface.
Our category of technical porcelain stoneware includes solutions designed for more heavily used private, commercial and technical areas.
3. Porcelain tiles are easy to maintain
A floor should not require constant attention.
This is another area where porcelain stoneware offers a major advantage.
Because of its low porosity, dirt and liquids cannot penetrate the material as easily as they can with many more porous surfaces.
For everyday cleaning, water and a suitable cleaning product are sufficient for many porcelain tile finishes.
Unlike many natural stones, porcelain tiles normally do not require regular sealing or impregnation.
This makes porcelain stoneware particularly practical in kitchens, bathrooms, entrances and busy households.
The exact cleaning requirements nevertheless depend on the chosen surface. A smooth matt tile is usually easier to clean than a heavily textured anti-slip outdoor surface.
4. Porcelain tiles can reproduce natural stone in remarkable detail
One of the biggest developments in ceramic tile design has taken place on the surface.
Modern porcelain tiles can now reproduce real natural stone with remarkable detail.
The porcelain stoneware tile takes inspiration from the characteristic appearance of Ceppo di Gré, a natural stone from northern Italy. Different sizes of stone inclusions create a surface that looks much more expressive than a conventional plain grey floor tile.
If you prefer natural-looking surfaces, our stone-look tile collection includes interpretations of limestone, slate, travertine, quartzite and many other stone types.
The important point is that you can achieve the appearance of natural stone without necessarily having to use real stone.
5. Marble-look porcelain tiles
The design possibilities become particularly clear with marble-look porcelain tiles.
Marble has been used in architecture for centuries, but natural marble is not always the most practical material for every project.
Acids, certain cleaning products and stains can affect genuine marble.
Porcelain stoneware makes it possible to reproduce the characteristic veining and colours of famous marble varieties on a ceramic surface.
Its light background and warm marble veining work especially well in bathrooms, kitchens and living areas.
Our marble-look tile category includes many other designs ranging from subtle white marble effects to black, green and strongly veined surfaces.
6. Porcelain tiles are available in many different sizes
In the past, tiles were often associated with formats such as 20 × 20 cm or 30 × 30 cm.
Today, the possibilities are completely different.
Porcelain stoneware is available in an enormous range of dimensions, from small decorative formats to classic 30 × 60 cm and 60 × 60 cm tiles, generous 60 × 120 cm formats and very large ceramic slabs measuring several metres.
The chosen format has a major effect on the appearance of a room.
Large porcelain tiles reduce the number of visible grout joints and can make rooms appear calmer and more spacious.
Smaller formats create more structure and may be better suited to complex room shapes or decorative laying patterns.
A good example of versatile porcelain stoneware is ARDENNE SABBIA. Its warm stone appearance is available in several formats and can therefore be adapted to different rooms and design concepts.
7. Porcelain tiles can be used on floors and walls
Porcelain stoneware is particularly popular as flooring, but it can also be installed on walls.
This makes it possible, for example, to use the same tile collection throughout a bathroom, from the floor onto selected walls.
With stone and marble effects, this can create a calm and sophisticated overall appearance.
Large porcelain slabs are also increasingly used as wall coverings. Fewer grout joints create a more continuous surface that works particularly well in modern architecture.
The weight of the tiles does, however, need to be taken into account.
The larger and thicker the slab, the more important the substrate, adhesive, handling and installation technique become.
8. Porcelain tiles work very well with underfloor heating
Ceramic tiles are particularly suitable for use with underfloor heating.
Porcelain stoneware can absorb heat and transfer it efficiently into the room.
This is one reason why tiles are no longer limited to bathrooms and kitchens.
In modern homes, porcelain tiles are often installed continuously through living rooms, dining areas and kitchens.
Combined with underfloor heating, they create a durable, low-maintenance and comfortable floor.
Wood-look, travertine-look and warm stone-look tiles have also made ceramic floors considerably more homely than the traditional cool grey tiles many people still associate with tiled living areas.
9. Porcelain stoneware can connect indoor and outdoor spaces
Another interesting advantage of modern tile collections is the possibility of visually connecting interior and exterior areas.
Many manufacturers offer the same design as a standard indoor tile and as a thicker outdoor slab.
This makes it possible to continue the appearance of a living room floor onto a terrace.
Our garden slabs include many 2 cm porcelain stoneware tiles designed for terraces, balconies and garden areas.
Depending on the collection, matching thinner versions are available for interior use.
This combination can be particularly effective in homes with large windows or sliding doors, because the continuous design visually connects the living space with the terrace.
Are there disadvantages to porcelain tiles?
Despite the many advantages, porcelain stoneware is not automatically the ideal solution for every situation.
Its hardness also means that cutting and drilling require suitable tools.
This is particularly important with large-format porcelain slabs, where handling and installation should normally be carried out by experienced professionals.
The surface also needs to match the intended use.
A highly polished porcelain tile can look impressive indoors but may not be suitable for a wet outdoor terrace.
Conversely, a heavily structured anti-slip surface may be excellent outdoors but feel unnecessarily rough in a living room and require more effort to clean.
For this reason, you should not choose a tile based only on the fact that it is made of porcelain stoneware.
Format, slip resistance, surface texture, thickness and intended use should always be considered as well.
Porcelain tiles in wood, stone and marble looks
The technical properties of porcelain stoneware are important, but for most customers the visual appearance ultimately determines the decision.
This is one of the material's greatest strengths.
Porcelain stoneware is also available in concrete, travertine, terrazzo, slate, metal and many other styles.
This versatility has transformed porcelain tiles from a purely functional flooring material into an important design material for modern architecture and interior design.
Order porcelain tile samples before buying
Even the best product photography cannot completely replace a real tile.
Surface texture, colour variation and the way a tile reflects light can have a major influence on the final result.
This is particularly important with porcelain tiles in natural stone, wood and marble looks.
For this reason, we recommend ordering samples before making a larger purchase.
This allows you to compare porcelain tiles directly with kitchen fronts, furniture, wood, wall colours and sanitary fittings.
With natural stone and wood effects, remember that individual tiles may deliberately feature different graphics. A small sample therefore shows only part of the complete design variation.
Buy porcelain tiles online at VITALE TILES
Porcelain stoneware makes up the majority of our tile range at VITALE TILES.
We offer porcelain tiles for bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, entrance areas, stairs, commercial interiors, terraces and many other applications.
Our range focuses particularly on Italian ceramic manufacturers and includes a wide variety of formats, colours and surfaces.
From a small renovation to a complete house or apartment, porcelain stoneware can provide a durable solution that combines technical performance with design freedom.
Frequently asked questions about porcelain tiles
What are porcelain tiles?
Porcelain tiles are dense ceramic tiles with very low water absorption. Under ISO 13006, porcelain tiles have a water absorption of no more than 0.5%.
Are porcelain tiles better than ceramic tiles?
That depends on the application. For floors and heavily used surfaces, porcelain stoneware offers many advantages because of its density and durability. For purely decorative walls, other ceramic materials can also be an excellent choice.
Are porcelain tiles waterproof?
Porcelain tiles themselves have extremely low water absorption. However, a tiled construction is not automatically waterproof. In showers and other wet areas, professional waterproofing beneath the tiles is still required.
Are porcelain tiles suitable for bathrooms?
Yes. Porcelain stoneware is commonly used for bathroom floors and walls. For floors and shower areas, the slip resistance of the chosen product should also be suitable for the application.
Can porcelain tiles be used outdoors?
Many porcelain tiles are suitable for outdoor use. The manufacturer's specifications regarding frost resistance, slip resistance, thickness and intended application should always be checked.
Are porcelain tiles suitable for underfloor heating?
Yes. Ceramic and porcelain tiles work very well with underfloor heating because they can absorb and transfer heat efficiently.
Are porcelain tiles easy to clean?
Generally, yes. Their low porosity makes porcelain tiles relatively easy to maintain. Cleaning requirements can vary depending on the surface texture.
Are porcelain tiles available in wood and natural stone looks?
Yes. Modern porcelain stoneware can reproduce wood, marble, travertine, concrete and many types of natural stone in great detail.