Why is tile sometimes called porcelain and other times ceramic?

The terms are used interchangeably, but that’s not quite accurate. They both perform differently, depending on the installation.

We love tile floors because of the extensive design possibilities and the ease of cleaning. Tile is also one of the most cost-effective products because you can mix and match them which creates different price points to accommodate different budgets.

SavOn Flooring has been servicing San Diego County's tiling needs for over 20 years. We pride ourselves on often being referred to as a local "hidden gem," carrying some of the top names in the industry from Mohawk to Marazzi, Cambria Quartz to US Floors, and more. We handle projects of all sizes, and we work with all budgets.

Come in to see our wide variety of tile flooring options in our Carlsbad showroom. We're located just off of the CA-78 expressway, at the El Camino Real South exit, near the Carlsbad Mall and right next door to Mohnacky Animal Hospital.

What is porcelain?

Porcelain is a type of ceramic, but it also includes sand and, sometimes, glass. Ceramic makes great tile floors, especially in places where there’s heavy foot traffic, such as in the kitchen, bathroom or in commercial applications.

Possibly the biggest difference is that porcelain is always waterproof, whether or not it’s glazed. It can also be installed outside as it stands up to any weather. Therefore, it’s not unusual to find it on patios, decks and poolside.

Porcelain is a large-format, pure white material (although it does have patterns), with almost a translucent quality. It’s often associated with the luxury and elegance of fine China or Italian Porcelana, so it is a little more expensive than ceramic.

Since it can be made to look like anything, many select this larger-format to mimic stone - especially when the budget doesn't allow for natural, quarried materials.