The Pros And Cons Of Porcelain Floor Tiles
June 10, 2025Porcelain tile is one of the hottest new products in the flooring industry, and it has a lot of advantages that make it desirable for homeowners and even for commercial use. It’s not right for everyone, though, and has some drawbacks that need to be considered when making your choice. In this post, we’ll address the pros and cons of porcelain tile so that you can choose wisely!
What is Porcelain Tile?
Ceramic tile has been manufactured for thousands of years and remains one of the most familiar and versatile materials in home design. It’s commonly used for both flooring and wall coverings and is valued for its accessibility, wide range of colors and patterns, and timeless appeal. As a design choice, ceramic tile offers flexibility and aesthetic charm, making it a popular option in kitchens, bathrooms, and beyond.
Porcelain tile, while similar in its basic composition, is far more than just an upgraded ceramic. Both materials begin with clay that is molded into a variety of shapes and thicknesses, glazed for protection and appearance, and fired in a kiln. However, this is where their paths diverge.
Porcelain tile is made from a more refined, purer clay that is compressed to a much higher density. It’s also fired at significantly higher temperatures and under greater pressure. These differences in production result in a tile that is not only more robust and long-lasting but also much more water-resistant and better suited for high-traffic or moisture-prone areas. As a design choice, porcelain is often preferred when durability and performance are top priorities, particularly in outdoor spaces or busy households.
Pros to consider:
Porcelain tile is extremely durable. Because it is very hard and dense, this tile resists wear, scratching, chipping, and cracking. That makes it an excellent choice for homes with pets and active children. Its toughness also makes it suitable for high-traffic areas, which is why it is popular in hotels, restaurants, stores, and other businesses. Rental property owners may also appreciate it because it won’t need replacing for decades.
One thing that sets porcelain tile apart from other flooring materials is its water resistance — in fact, it is completely waterproof. That makes it an exceptional flooring for areas that are prone to getting wet, such as bathroom tile and kitchen tile.
Because it is waterproof, this modern tile is also extremely resistant to staining, so you won’t have to worry about mud being tracked in by pets and family members, messy meals, or the kids’ art projects. That makes it super-easy to clean with a minimum of cleaning products, and we’re all trying to reduce the amount of chemicals in our home, including noxious cleansers. Porcelain tile will not harbor germs, mold, or mildew.
You’ll love how easy it is to care for. Unlike natural stone flooring, porcelain tile never needs to be sealed to maintain its waterproof properties. It does not need to be polished, waxed, buffed, or re-finished.
Speaking of easy maintenance, porcelain tile can recreate the look of high-maintenance flooring types such as marble, travertine, wood, and even metal. A modern, high-tech inkjet printing process creates tile that looks like marble so realistically that you’d need to examine it closely to tell the difference, allowing you to design an upscale, opulent decorating scheme without the worry that comes with maintaining real marble. You can have hardwood flooring — or the look of it, at least — in areas that you’d normally never install wood, such as the bathroom. Porcelain tile can replicate the character of metallic tile, complete with an aged patina that won’t wipe away.
Just as you can choose from many different tile patterns, it is also available in a wide array of shapes and sizes. This allows you full rein for creativity. For example, with porcelain wood tile planks, you can replicate the look of a sophisticated parquet floor. Check out this flooring visualizer tool below to get some inspiration for your own home.
Modern porcelain tile is frostproof, making it suitable for outdoor installation. It’s ideal for completing a three-season room, patio, or pool deck. Some homeowners also use it in kitchens or family rooms and carry the same style into outdoor spaces, creating a unified look.
Finally, if one of your porcelain tiles cracks or breaks under extreme circumstances, there’s no need to replace the whole floor. Just lift out the damaged tile and put in a new one.
Cons to consider:
While porcelain tile is highly durable, it can sometimes chip, especially around the edges. This issue is less visible with through-body porcelain but still worth considering. Generally more expensive than ceramic and other common flooring options, porcelain tile offers excellent wear resistance and longevity, often lasting for decades, making it a good investment. However, the initial cost for installation is usually considerably higher.
Another factor adding to the cost of porcelain flooring is the labor cost of installation. Unlike other types of flooring, porcelain tile installation is not really a DIY job. It is extremely heavy, it needs specialized equipment to cut, and it’s unforgiving. An experienced, professional tile installer is recommended.
Porcelain tile density can pose issues, requiring you to verify that your subfloor and supports are sufficiently strong to handle the additional weight. Reinforcing your floor may also increase installation costs.
Compared to other flooring materials, such as hardwood flooring, natural stone, or vinyl tile, porcelain tile can be less comfortable underfoot due to its hardness. It’s colder to walk on, especially in the winter. If you desire under-floor heating, though, porcelain tile is perfect for the job.
When planning home renovations, homeowners often think about their return on investment. They want to ensure that the money they spend will lead to a higher selling price if they decide to put their home on the market someday. Unfortunately, porcelain tile isn’t known for increasing a home's value, despite its attractive features. However, a beautiful tile floor can make your home much more appealing, helping it sell faster!
As you can see, porcelain tile has a lot of benefits that contribute to its growing popularity. It’s not the perfect flooring choice for everyone and every application, however. For more help, find where to buy porcelain tile near you, chat online with one of our helpful representatives, or visit an MSI showroom.
READ MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF PORCELAIN TILE
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