Porcelain vs Ceramic

A common dilemma when it comes to choosing tiles is whether to pick ceramic or porcelain. What is the difference? Which do I need? Is one better than the other? These are questions we get asked regularly so let us take away any doubts and answer them for you.

The quick, we need to buy tiles now answer

Although they look the same, the main difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles is that a porcelain tile is denser and less porous than a ceramic tile. In simple terms this means a porcelain tile is much more hardwearing and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, the extra density is a result of a slightly different manufacturing process.

Whilst ceramic tiles are only recommended for interior walls and floors, porcelain tiles are a more popular choice for floors that anticipate heavier traffic; we’re talking kitchen floors, hallways and commercial applications as they are increasingly resistant to scratching and chipping.

There are two types of porcelain tiles – through-body porcelain and glazed porcelain. Through-body porcelain is where the tile has no glaze so the colour/design is the same all the way through so if there was any wear or chips to the tile it’d be very difficult to see.

Glazed porcelain is where the tile has been manufactured with a glaze applied to the tile face. In this case the body of the tile is just as hard wearing as a through body porcelain however the glaze has the same characteristics as the glaze on a ceramic tile.

 

The full and frank answer

It’s all in the manufacturing…

Ceramic tiles are made from natural clay with a durable glaze; the biscuit of the tile is baked to reduce water content. Next the design is added to the same biscuit before it’s baked again in a kiln at a high temperature.

Porcelain tiles are also made from natural clay but of a denser nature, finely ground sand is also added into the manufacturing mix. This mixture is then pressed and fired at a much higher temperature than ceramic tiles, and also for longer to remove almost all of the water content.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lets talk Pei Ratings

The Porcelain Enamel Institute rating (PEI rating) is a great tool to help you determine the recommended application for a tile. All tiles are classified with a PEI rating and the scale is as follows:

PEI 0 – No foot traffic (wall tile only)

PEI 1 – Very light traffic (e.g. bathroom)

PEI 2 – Light traffic (e.g. bathroom and bedroom)

PEI 3 – Light to moderate traffic (e.g. most domestic floors)

PEI 4 – Moderate to heavy traffic (e.g. entrance, hallway, kitchen, balcony and some commercial applications)

PEI 5 – Heavy traffic (all domestic/commercial uses with heavy abrasion/footfall)

Most ceramic floor tiles will carry a PEI rating from 3 to 4 with porcelain tiles ranging from PEI 3 to 5. Still unsure which tile you should be using where? Make full use of our expertise and get in touch with a member of our customer service team who’ll be able to help you.

 

Our advice

Choose a tile that’s in keeping with your home, style and lifestyle. You want to choose a tile that’ll stand the test of time, not just in the fashion department but in terms of practicality too. If you’re tiling a conservatory or kitchen, have dogs and children then you’ll want to pick a porcelain tile for extra durability. Renovating a tired bathroom? Pick any tile you love the design of, whether it’s porcelain or ceramic.

Sourced from: http://www.ytc-tiles.com

Art of Clean are specialists in: 

Rug Cleaning,
Hardwood Floor Cleaning, 
Stone floor Cleaning,  
Carpet Cleaning,
Upholstery Cleaning
Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information about our services please contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or visit www.artofclean.co.uk.

 

Faux wood tiles

Now here's something you don't see every day, Faux wood tiles.

But why would you choose faux wood?

Well I asked the same question, here's what I found out.....

So firstly, aesthetics count for a lot when you choose flooring.  Just see the image below of Walls and Floors' Oak wood faux tiles used not only on the floor but on the wall too!  As you can see the tiles have a beautiful rustic patina Oak look, and the tiles aren't all identical so it looks very natural.  Grand Designs featured this product in their magazine, they are said to be "the closest you'll get to achieve and authentic wood flooring".

Here are some further interesting facts:

• The wood effect selection is vast... as the wood is effectively printed onto the tile any style and colour can be created, creating a wealth of options.  Tiles can be also be customised so the only limitation is your imagination!
• Tile is cool in the summer months, and cosy and warm in the winter when combined with underfloor heating.
• More durable and easier to maintain than real wood options.

I am very impressed with the look of this flooring, but what do you think? I'm interested to know if people would really want faux wood flooring?  Have you you used this type of flooring yourself?  If so share your thoughts as I'm keen to learn more!











We are a professional cleaning company who specialise in Carpet, Rug, Hardwood floor, Stone floor, Upholstery and Leather cleaning for domestic an commercial clients.

 For more information about our services contact the team on 01223 863632 or at www.artofclean.co.uk to find out more.

Types of stone sealant and how they work

There area a range of different sealers available with most falling into three main groups:

Penetrating/impregnator sealers:
They penetrate deep into the stone.  The purpose is to block contaminants from entering the substrate of the stone while at the same time allowing it to expel interior moisture.  They are therefore "breathable" or vapour permeable.

Topical Sealers:
They can be wither strippable or permanent. many are designed for resilient floors but will state that they are suitable for natural stone.  Most of these are water based products which are made from polymers so that they can easily be removed with compatible stripper.

Traditional sealing methods:
Linseed oil and wax.  This method needs to be carried out by an experienced technician as it can lead to undesired results if done wrong and can be hard to correct.


At art of clean we choose to use and Impregnator.  See our other blog to see why we no longer use Seal and Go: http://artofcleanuk.blogspot.co.uk

See our YouTube video below to see how we cleaned and sealed this Limestone floor with and impregnator

We are a professional cleaning company who specialise in Carpet, Rug, Hardwood floor, Stone floor, Upholstery and Leather cleaning for domestic an commercial clients.

 For more information about our services contact the team on 01223 863632 or at www.artofclean.co.uk to find out more.

Terracotta floor cleaners - Cambridge UK

Terracotta floor cleaning - isn't the floor just gleaming now!!

We are a professional cleaning company who specialise in Carpet, Rug, Hardwood floor, Stone floor, Upholstery and Leather cleaning.  For more information about our services contact the team on 01223 863632 or at www.artofclean.co.uk to find out more.

Limestone and Travertine Cleaning, Polishing and Sealing

Here's a short video to show how we get Limestone and Travertine cleaned and polished to perfection!

We are a professional cleaning company who specialise in Carpet, Rug, Hardwood floor, Stone floor, Upholstery and Leather cleaning.  For more information about our services contact the team on 01223 863632 or at www.artofclean.co.uk to find out more.