Ceramic or porcelain tile?


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Old 11-23-20, 06:44 AM
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Ceramic or porcelain tile?

I'm installing a corner shower and want to put tile on the walls, I hear all kinds of pro's and con's between ceramic and porcelain and uncertain which one would be best. I want a unglazed tile and I see between the two they both have different density's, which would be better for a shower wall?
 
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Old 11-23-20, 06:53 AM
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Unglazed in a shower. Sure you want to go that way?

I would pick porcelain.
 
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Old 11-23-20, 07:46 AM
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My understanding of unglazed tile is that they will over time absorb water. Not what I would choose for a bathroom.
I would look at both and find the one you like for size, color and price. Walls really do not matter much. Floors do because of the weight they experience.
 
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Old 11-23-20, 07:56 AM
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A glazed tile with a matte finish might give you the look you want. Porcelain can be a bit harder to work with.
 
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Old 11-23-20, 11:31 AM
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I have used both, even slate, I have never found any issues with any of them, use a diamond wet saw to cut and they will all work fine.

For a shower you want a glazed tile, without that glazing that tile will be so coated with soap scum you will never get them clean. It's hard enough just keeping the grout clean!
 
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Old 11-23-20, 11:35 AM
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Porcelain is a kind of ceramic tile (but not all ceramic tile is porcelain). Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures making it harder and more dense. To be classified as porcelain, tile must have a water absorption rate of .5% or less. Porcelain is an excellent choice for a shower.
 
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Old 11-23-20, 03:00 PM
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I was going to go with a glazed tile at first but the sales lady at Home Depot said that a glazed tile would show more water and soap spots than non glazed, not really sure if it does or not. I do like the idea of a glazed tile with a matt finish as "cwbuff" suggested, I'll have to see if Home Dept carries a tile like that. It doesn't matter if I go glazed or not, just looking for something durable and easy to clean.
 
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Old 11-23-20, 04:23 PM
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but the sales lady at Home Depot said
That statement is total crap, at least go to a real tile store and talk to someone who knows what they are talking to.
 
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Old 11-24-20, 03:57 AM
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Do not, I repeat do not use advice from a HD or Lowes "expert" . Go to a tile store.
When I remodeled my kitchen the HD people said I could not do half of what I wanted. A bath and kitchen store not only encouraged me with what I wanted but provided hints and tips of how to do it.
 
 

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