Ceramic Tiles: Types & % Costs
Main types (what they are)
- Porcelain (glazed or full-body/through-body): Dense, low absorption (<0.5%); floors, outdoors, heavy traffic.
- Standard Ceramic (glazed earthenware/stoneware): Higher absorption; ideal for interior walls and light-duty floors.
- Quarry Tile (unglazed, extruded): Tough, slip-resistant; commercial kitchens, terraces.
- Terracotta (unglazed, porous): Warm rustic look; needs sealing; interior floors/walls.
- Large-Format Porcelain Slabs (sintered panels): 120×240 cm and up; minimal joints; countertops & walls.
- Mosaics (ceramic/porcelain): Small tesserae on mesh; great for showers, curves, feature walls.
- Specialty Finishes: Rectified (sharp edges for tight joints), anti-slip (structured), polished (high gloss), decor (printed textures).
Where each fits best
- Porcelain: High-traffic floors, outdoors, wet areas, radiant UFH, commercial spaces.
- Standard Ceramic: Interior walls (bathrooms/kitchens), light residential floors.
- Quarry: Back-of-house, ramps, patios (check frost rating).
- Terracotta: Feature floors/walls with classic character (indoor or covered outdoor, sealed).
- Porcelain Slabs: Shower walls, lobby features, worktops—few joints, sleek look.
- Mosaics: Shower floors (grip from many joints), niches, curves, accent bands.
Pros & cons (at a glance)
Porcelain
- + Very hard, low absorption, stain/frost resistant, thin joints (rectified).
- − Harder to cut/drill; can feel cold/firm underfoot without underlay/UFH.
Standard Ceramic
- + Wide designs, easy to cut, great for walls, budget-friendly.
- − Less durable on heavy-traffic floors; not for freeze–thaw outdoors.
Quarry
- + Tough, naturally slip-resistant, good for grease/wet zones.
- − Limited colors/sizes; needs sealing in some settings.
Terracotta
- + Warm, timeless character; ages beautifully.
- − Porous—needs regular sealing; sensitive to acids/stains.
Porcelain Slabs
- + Dramatic look, few grout lines, hygenic surfaces for walls/tops.
- − Specialist handling, more breakage risk in transport, tricky cutouts.
Mosaics
- + Superior grip in showers, flexible for curves, visual accents.
- − More grout = more maintenance; slower to install.
Performance notes
- Slip resistance: Choose structured/anti-slip finishes for wet zones (R-rating/pendulum).
- Frost/Outdoor: Use frost-rated porcelain/quarry; avoid standard ceramic outside.
- Stains/Chemicals: Porcelain best; terracotta needs sealing; quarry varies by finish.
- Thermal/UFH: All ceramic types work; porcelain conducts heat well.
- Cutting & edges: Rectified tiles need flat substrates; larger formats demand better prep.
Cost guide (percentages only; baseline = standard glazed ceramic wall/floor tile = 0%)
(Deltas vary by size, brand, finish, country, and site conditions.)
Materials per m²
- Porcelain (standard sizes): +20–60% vs baseline
- Porcelain (rectified/large format 60×120+): +50–120% vs baseline
- Porcelain Slabs (panels/countertop-grade): +120–250% vs baseline
- Quarry tile: +10–40% vs baseline
- Terracotta (quality handmade): +40–130% vs baseline
- Ceramic mosaics (sheeted): +20–70% vs baseline
- Porcelain mosaics: +40–90% vs baseline
Installation labor per m²
- Porcelain standard: +10–30% vs baseline (harder cutting/holes)
- Large-format porcelain (60×120+): +40–100% vs baseline (handling, leveling systems)
- Porcelain slabs: +100–200% vs baseline (special tools, 2–3 installers)
- Quarry: +10–25% vs baseline
- Terracotta: +20–50% vs baseline (sorting, sealing)
- Mosaics: +30–80% vs baseline (more grout lines/detail)
Lifecycle/maintenance over ~10–15 yrs
- Porcelain: −10–25% vs baseline (lowest upkeep)
- Quarry: −5–15% vs baseline (robust; periodic sealing only if required)
- Terracotta: +10–30% vs baseline (regular sealing, stain care)
- Large slabs: −5–15% vs baseline (fewer joints to clean)
- Mosaics: +10–25% vs baseline (more grout maintenance)
Benefits (owner outcomes)
- Hygiene & easy cleaning: Porcelain/large slabs excel with minimal joints.
- Safety underfoot: Anti-slip finishes and mosaics improve grip in wet areas.
- Design range: Ceramic/porcelain prints mimic stone/wood/terrazzo convincingly.
- Durability: Porcelain handles pets, heavy traffic, and outdoor cycles best.
- Comfort with UFH: All ceramics pair well with underfloor heating.
Risks & how to avoid them
- Substrate not flat (large formats): Lippage and hollow spots. Fix: self-leveling where needed; leveling clips.
- Wrong adhesive/grout (exterior/wet): Debonding, stains. Fix: polymer-modified adhesives, appropriate grout (epoxy/cement with additives).
- Slip in wet zones: Smooth polished finishes. Fix: structured tiles or mosaics with proper rating.
- Sealing neglected (terracotta/quarry): Staining. Fix: schedule sealing; use penetrating sealers.
- Thermal shock outdoors: Non-frost tiles or dark slabs without movement joints. Fix: frost-rated porcelain, correct jointing/dilatations.
Quick choice guide
- All-rounder (floors, outdoors, low upkeep): Porcelain
- Budget walls & light floors indoors: Standard Ceramic
- Workhorse back-of-house/wet grip: Quarry
- Warm rustic statement (accept upkeep): Terracotta
- Minimal-joint luxury walls/tops: Porcelain Slabs
- Shower floors/curves: Mosaics
Short FAQ
- Polished porcelain in showers? Possible, but choose matte/structured for slip safety.
- Can porcelain mimic marble convincingly? Yes—inkjet designs with rectified edges look very close, with lower upkeep.
- Outdoor patio? Use frost-rated porcelain with correct slope, drainage, and exterior-grade adhesives/grouts.
