Want the Timeless Look of Porcelain Tiles? Here Are the Pros and Cons

After thousands of years of use, porcelain tile is still one of the most popular materials for bathroom and kitchen surfaces. This highly durable, stain resistant, and waterproof standout of the ceramic world is a top pick for bathroom tiles, kitchen countertops, decorative backsplashes, and even outdoor patio tiles. Nonetheless, as a slightly pricier and harder-to-handle material, it is important to know the pros and cons of porcelain tile before heading to the store to pick out your favorite.

What Is Porcelain?

The art of making porcelain stems back to the Shang Dynasty in China, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Modern porcelain manufacturers still use a similar process to the original. They heat a very fine clay-like material in a kiln at high temperatures of around 2,250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Today, you can find porcelain in dishware and pottery, but it is making a comeback in bathroom tile trends in 2024. Since porcelain is a manufactured material, there are factories located worldwide, including in the United States. This sets it apart from natural stone, like Carrara marble.

If you love the thought of new porcelain tiles in or outside your home, take a look at both the perks and downsides.

The Pros of Porcelain Tiles

The pros of porcelain tiles far outweigh the cons, which is why this popular home renovation material continuously tops the charts for both look and quality.

1. Highly Durable

The top factor you want in a high-traffic area is tile durability. Due to its incredibly fine makeup and high cooking temperature, porcelain resists chips and scratches incredibly well. Its toughness makes it a great candidate for entranceways, patios, and bathrooms. And if you have a large golden retriever with scratchy claws, you likely will not have to worry about damage when it sprints across the floor. 

That said, porcelain tile can crack if put under too much pressure. You can avoid issues by paying attention to the PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating. PEI measures abrasion resistance on a scale of zero to five, with zero being the lightest-duty tile and five being the strongest tile suitable for heavy commercial and institutional foot traffic. 

Tiles with a PEI rating of four can generally handle most residential applications. You may want to upgrade to tile with a PEI rating of five if the area houses heavy equipment, i.e., a home gym.

2. Water Resistant

You may wonder, is porcelain waterproof? Technically, the answer is no, but porcelain is far more water resistant compared to ceramic tile. It must meet the strict standards of a 0.5% or lower water absorption rate.

Add porcelain tile to areas prone to standing water, such as the shower, kitchen counters, or walkways. Since it is nonporous, you are less likely to have to clean mold and mildew as well.

If you are on the fence between porcelain and less expensive ceramic tile, porcelain is best for water-prone areas outdoors.

3. Customizable Colors and Design

While standard white porcelain tile looks appealing on its own, you can personalize the tile color, pattern, and design to match your desired aesthetic. There are plenty of options, from penny tiles and mosaic tiles, to larger tiles for porcelain shower walls and decorative countertops. You can even find renter-friendly peel and stick tiles made from porcelain.

Though most people think of porcelain as having a glossy ceramic look, it is actually a popular option when mimicking natural stone. You can even use this highly durable material to mimic wood floors.

4. Stands Up Against Stains

From water to mold resistance, all this durability means porcelain tile is much easier to clean. Its density means staining liquids cannot penetrate the tile and leave permanent marks. When you do have to clean porcelain tile, all you will need is a gentle soap solution. It is still best to avoid ammonia and bleach to protect its color.

5. Low Maintenance

Many homeowners prefer porcelain tiles for kitchens and bathrooms because they are relatively low maintenance compared to other materials. You can easily wipe them clean, even if grout is sometimes tricky. You do not need to seal porcelain as you would a natural stone (though you should still seal the grout). You can swap out tiles that break rather than replacing your entire surface, like you would have to do with a laminate countertop.

The Cons of Porcelain Tiles

Photo: Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Moment / Getty Images

Porcelain's density and longevity do mean it comes with a few tradeoffs. Whether you are planning a DIY project or calling in a top-rated local ceramic tile installer, keep these facts in mind.

1. More Expensive Than Competitors

Porcelain tile costs $3 to $10 per square foot. This is much higher than the cost of standard ceramic tile, which falls between $0.50 to $7 per square foot. Due to its durability, however, you will spend less money repairing and replacing tiles, as well as keeping your home's value up.

Tiles at the lower end of the cost range may work for some low-traffic areas, such as a kitchen backsplash. But opt for higher-end porcelain if you use the space often. We will talk more about this below.

2. Difficult to Cut

Are you hoping to install porcelain tile on your own? Yet again, its density is both a blessing and a curse. You will need special tile installation tools, like a wet tile saw, to keep the porcelain from chipping and shattering when trimmed.

3. Range in Quality

All porcelain tiles vary in quality. You cannot just break up an old porcelain plate and turn it into a long-lasting floor tile. To make sure your tile is up to snuff, check the PEI rating.

• PEI Class 0: Unsuitable for floors. Only use this tile on walls.

• PEI Class 1: Suitable for areas with very light foot traffic. You can also use it on walls. Commonly, you will find PEI-1 tile used in shower surrounds.

• PEI Class 2: Suitable for areas with moderate foot traffic, like bedrooms, bathrooms, and formal rooms.

• PEI Class 3: A great all-purpose tile for residential applications. You can use this tile on high-use flooring in hallways and kitchens, countertops, and walls.

• PEI Class 4: A great all-purpose tile for residential and commercial applications with heavy foot traffic, like restaurants and offices.

• PEI Class 5: Typically only used in commercial applications with extremely heavy foot traffic, like airports or shopping centers. You may want to use PEI-5 tile in a home gym or residential areas with heavy equipment.

Tiles with higher quality ratings will likely cost more, so it is important to take this into account when budgeting for your project. It may seem like a deal to go with a low-quality tile, but you will not save money if you choose a tile that cracks shortly after installation.

4. Cold on Your Feet

Last but not least, you may have some cold toes in the morning if you tile your bathroom floor with porcelain. Porcelain can get pretty chilly without radiant floor heating underneath it, so consider calling in a local heating contractor if you opt for this style of flooring.

5. Heavy Weight

Porcelain tiles are extremely hard-wearing, but they are also extremely heavy. This makes them difficult, or even impossible, to install in certain applications. Some homes may not have the structural integrity to handle the added weight of porcelain flooring on an upper story. You may need to reinforce floors or cabinets.

Though some homeowners choose to DIY their tile installation, you may want to hire a porcelain tile contractor near you. A pro knows how to handle the laborious installation process and understands which applications are safe for your home.

When you pick porcelain bathroom tile or install porcelain across your kitchen and patio, you are tapping into thousands of years of design. Local tile experts can ensure you choose the right porcelain rating, style, and grouting material for your floors and counters.