Porcelain is the highest grade of ceramic tile. Superior quality raw minerals, finer particle size and higher firing temperatures give Certified Porcelain tile several advantages over traditional ceramic tile:
Durability: porcelain tile is denser and much harder than ceramic tile, making it more resistant to wear and tear. Porcelain is harder than steel. On a Mohs Hardness Scale, porcelain is 7.5 to 8. (For reference, a steel nail is 6.5, a diamond is 10.)
Water resistance: porcelain tile is virtually impervious to water. It is naturally resistant to algae, mold and mildew. Extreme climate conditions and freeze-thaw cycles will not affect porcelain tile.
Stain resistance: due to its low porosity, porcelain tile is less likely to absorb stains.
Color fast: porcelain tile will never fade. Porcelain is fired at ultra-high temperatures, permanently bonding the colors to the tile. Color fade is included in our 75 year limited warranty (see warranty for details).
Fire resistant: porcelain is naturally fire resistant. To achieve a Class A rated roof system, we recommend using VersaShield by GAF as an underlayment.
Pest resistant: varmints, termites and rodents cannot chew-through porcelain tile.
Design options: using state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, porcelain tile can mimic the look of natural stone, wood and other materials with high fidelity.
Longevity: because of its durability and resistance to various elements, porcelain tile has a longer lifespan than ceramic tile, making it a more cost-effective option in the long run
