Porcelain/Ceramic Hard Floor Cleaning and Polishing Specialist Services In Hinckley.

How Are Porcelain & Ceramic Made?

As Porcelain and Ceramic tiles are both a result from Kiln firing, they often get used interchangeably. Heating clay as well as other raw materials to over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit produces a hard surface glaze and dense tile. Therefore technically they are all Ceramic tiles, the only difference is in their components.

Using the dust-press method Porcelain is produced. This means that nearly dry porcelain clay is compressed between two metal frames or dies. The clay is allowed then to slowly dry and then is fired in an insulated kiln. Leaving a result of a tile that is fine-grained with a smooth surface, yet is still dense. The tile has a very low water absorption rate, meaning its quality is resistant to frost.

Porcelain tiles are ideal for bathrooms, showers, laundry rooms and kitchen areas. This is for a couple of different reasons. Porcelain is beautiful when clean and its durability and resistance to moisture make it a easier material to clean. Also it is harder for bacteria to adhere to therefore is even more ideal for kitchen counter tops, bathroom vanities and floor and wall tiles.

Unlike non-glazed or matt Porcelain tiles, when glazed the tile is harder as well as being slip-resistant. Also glazed Porcelain tiles are about completely scratch proof. Non-glazed porcelain tiles often get called ‘through body’ tiles this is due to the fact that the entire tile is the same colour. Therefore, if a chip does a occur, the colour that shows from the chip, will still be the same as the surface of the tile.

Non-Porcelain tiles are classed separately to Porcelain tiles. Instead they are considered as Ceramic tiles. These mainly consist of red or white clay. Ceramic tiles are easier to cut than Porcelain due to the fact that the tile is softer. After being in the kiln, the tiles are glazed and retain the colour of the original clay material. Ceramic tiles are used for both wall and floor purposes, they are also a favourite for designers due to its vast array of colours and textures.