Which is better Ceramic or Porcelain Tile flooring?
we are planning on putting down tile in our kitchen floor and are wondering which is better and long lasting the ceramic or porcelain tile. If anyone knows which is better please let me know.
In a residential setting, not a lot of difference. Yes the body of a porcelain is a bit harder than a ceramic but some can be more brittle.
The best is what color and style is for you. The next best and most important of either is the installation. If both are installed properly, both will last years and years. Poor installation , neither will last.
Yes you can get top of the line porcelains and some top of the line ceramics and also get some junk in both. Porcelains are good but over sold. Get whats good for you,and check installation procedures before doing either.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL
Ceramic Tile installation?
Hey everyone.
I just bought ceramic tile for my kitchen floor upstairs. Underneath the laminate flooring i have a plywood sub floor.
What are the steps i need to do to prepare the sub floor for the tiles. I want to do this properly, i do not want my tiles to start cracking in a few years because i didn't install them properly.
You need to remove laminate flooring. Spread a thin layer of mortar onto the subfloor and cover the entire floor with durrock, aka: cement board, screw down durrock. To cut the durrock a grinder with a diamond blase works best, if not use a utility knife with a diamond blade. If you use the utility knife, be careful. I have seen a thumb cut off this way. After you attach all of the durrock to the floor, you will need to determine your layout of choice. Find the center of the floor and lay the first tile. If you wish to have it ran on a 45, turn the first centered tile so it is in a diamond shape. Use a 3/8X3/8X3/8 square notched trowel to spread mortar. Allow a day or two for all tiles to dry and spread grout into cracks. Use spacers for even grout joints. Take your time or it will get very messy quick. Mortar and grout are a pain to get off of tile.
