To renovate the bathroom and toilet or install new tiles in the lobby or laundry room, most people spend a lot of time deciding whether to use natural stone or porcelain tiles.

The correct choice can be made by considering the weather conditions, the space used, cost, etc. Porcelain tiles are the best option for use in houses and high traffic spaces. They are easy to maintain and clean. While natural stone is good for less traffic areas.

To help you make the right decision and answer your questions, we provide you with technical information about these types of tiles. The difference between natural stone and porcelain tiles with the advantages and disadvantages of each and why porcelain tiles are better than natural stones is given in this article.

Differences between natural stone tiles and porcelain tiles

Today there are many options for use as flooring and wall covering, and this makes it more difficult to choose the right option for projects.

When planning to remodel a space, you spend time researching the stones or tiles you want to use, taking into account personal preferences as well as how the space will be used once it’s finished. Natural stone has been used as the best option in residential and commercial projects for decades. But in recent years, porcelain tiles with a wide range of designs have gained a lot of popularity and have taken the first place due to a wide range of advantages and modern comfort.

Here we will explore the differences between porcelain tiles and natural stone, as well as their pros and cons, to find out why porcelain tiles are preferred over natural stone.

Natural stone

Natural stones are pieces of rocks and stones that are transported from nature and cut in workshops. Natural stones are available in different types such as marble, granite, limestone, travertine, quartz, onyx, etc. The variety of stones makes them suitable for use in any style or decor.

Porcelain tile

Porcelain tiles are the hardest type of ceramic tile products. Higher purity raw materials are used and fired at a high temperature in the kiln, making it more durable, harder and resistant to stains, chemicals, scratches and water penetration. Porcelain tiles are the best option for use on the floor or walls of the bathroom or kitchen because it has a denser and harder body with high resistance to stains and water.

Differences between natural stone tiles and porcelain tiles

Durability

Natural stone

The formation of natural stone takes thousands of years, which makes it durable and wear-resistant. These products have been used for residential and commercial projects for many years. If there is a need to use stone in high-traffic areas, thicker stones should be used to withstand the weight of vehicles, and granite is the best option for this purpose. Granite with a thickness of 25 mm is suitable for the exterior of the building and has resistance to breakage and a long life.

Porcelain tile

Porcelain tile is a mixture of clay, quartz and other minerals that is fired at a high temperature, which makes it denser, extremely hard, and waterproof, and these products can be made up to 20 mm thickness. Therefore, these products are the best option for use in places where there is a need to bear the weight of heavy equipment and vehicles, as well as high temperatures and bad weather conditions without damaging the tiles.

Maintenance

Natural stone

Natural stones require a lot of maintenance, and this depends on the type of stone. The quality and type of natural stone surface affects the way and conditions of its maintenance and determines the techniques and materials used in cleaning them. They are generally sealed after work to prevent any stains and moss or algae growth.

Porcelain tile

Porcelain tiles require very little maintenance and do not need to be sealed due to the glaze applied on their surface in their production process. Since porcelain tiles are impermeable, this means that anything that might leave a stain cannot penetrate the tile.

Color and surface

Natural stone

Natural stones are an all-natural product derived from real nature, so you have limited colors and designs. The stones have a color tonality and design, and there is a slight difference from one tile to another, and like porcelain tiles, it does not have a uniform color theme and design throughout the installed tiles, and the tiles have relatively high random colors and designs.

Porcelain tile

Porcelain tiles can be produced in any color and any surface, even completely similar to natural stones. The surface, design and color of porcelain tiles can be produced like marble or limestone, wood, cement, fabric and so on. Porcelain tile companies produce a wide range of surfaces, textures, designs and colors on tiles in the form of unlimited designs.

Cost

Natural stone

Natural stones have a relatively higher price and a more limited price range than porcelain tiles. Also, the cost of natural stone may increase when installing it in the project due to the relatively high percentage of failure and waste. And also the cost of maintaining and cleaning them is higher.

Porcelain tile

Porcelain tiles are suitable for any budget. They have a wider price range and start at lower prices than natural stone.

Moisture resistance

Natural stone

Natural stones are permeable materials, and they are more sensitive to the penetration of moisture and are easily stained. Therefore, natural stone consumers are always advised to seal natural stone tiles to avoid problems caused by this permeability. This sealing increases the durability and lifespan of the stone.

Porcelain tile

The method by which porcelain tiles are produced solves the problems found in natural stones. The main advantage of porcelain tiles is that they are more resistant to moisture than natural stones.

Porcelain tiles are better than natural stone

From the overview of this article, you realized that porcelain tiles are more resistant than natural stone. Porcelain tiles are not only denser in nature, but also withstand higher temperatures and prevent stains, scratches and water resistant.

Porcelain is the best choice for home decoration with a wide range of durable and water resistant surfaces and requires very little maintenance. On the other hand, natural stone offers real natural, unique and eye-catching designs, but requires regular and periodic sealing and maintenance, although it is easy and quick to do and should be done every 2-3 years.

---