Are porcelain floor tiles hard wearing is a commonly asked question. Picking the right flooring for your home is a big decision. Not least because of cost, but you also want flooring that will stand the test of time and potentially add value to your home too. Colour, design of tile, size of tile, finish of tile are all important considerations too, but as we will explore in this blog, if you are looking for a hard wearing floor then look no further. Porcelain is your go-to and in this blog we explain why. So let’s start with understanding more about the make-up of porcelain itself.
Porcelain is a mix of mineral and clays fired at high temperatures. The clays used are finer and denser than the clays used for ceramic tiles and they are fired at higher temperatures than ceramic tiles so this makes a porcelain tile stronger and less porous.  So it’s this material mix and heat that give porcelain it’s superior performance and hardwearing properties.Â
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As a material porcelain is pretty unalterable, for example it is fade resistant, scratch resistant and stain resistant as well as being incredibly hardwearing, so it can be used across the home and even outside. Unlike natural stone, for example marbles and limestones, porcelain won’t wear in well-trodden areas. Unlike wood, porcelain won’t warp or bend so it can be used in the bathroom or outside.Â
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So this is a material that will stand the test of time. The beauty of porcelain is that it is mimicking other materials – and great quality porcelains from leading manufacturers do that exceptionally well – so you have all the beauty of the material whether that be metal, wood, stone and more, with all the benefits of porcelain.
Porcelain really is the unsung hero of the day. This is a material that is incredibly dense and that means it can easily cope with the wear and tear of busy households. This really is one of the most durable materials you will find. Many of our porcelain tiles are not just used in homes, the same tiles are used in commercial projects too including busy airports and restaurants, so if porcelain tiles can cope with the footfall these spaces bring, then it is more than able to cope with the thrills and spills of everyday life at home.
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Whether it’s an entire ground floor or a small bathroom, porcelain tiles will stand the test of time – we should add that as with any porcelain tile or any flooring, top quality, professional installation is the key. It is important that tiles are installed correctly.
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Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of porcelain.
If scratches and scuffs are a concern, porcelain flooring is for you. Porcelain is well known for its high resistance to abrasions and it is highly scratch resistant. As well as making it perfect for busy homes, it’s also perfect for homes with pets. Claws, dog bowls and all things pet related are no contest for this material. Matt and natural finishes in particular won’t show the signs of wear over time.
It is always advisable to mop up any spillages immediately, but porcelain flooring is highly stain resistant. With a porosity level of 0.5% or less it has minimal water absorption making it unlikely to stain. That also makes porcelain tiles perfect for use in areas where more water may be present such as bathrooms or laundry rooms aswell as outside too.
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Porcelain is such a hardy material it can be used outside aswell due to it’s low levels of porosity. An outside tile generally has a higher slip rating than an inside tile – a layer of frit on the surface creates a rougher texture for added grip. All our 2cm porcelain pavers have a co-ordinating inside tile so it is easy to run the same porcelain flooring inside and out.
Like any flooring professional installation is key and if installed correctly, your porcelain tiles will stand the test of time without showing any significant signs of wear. In fact, picking the right porcelain tiles can add value to your home.
Porcelain flooring is such an easy clean. An initial clean is key after installation to remove any excess grout and organic dirt that has built up over the surface during fitting. Your installer should do this once the project is completed.Â
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Ongoing it’s just a regular sweep with a broom followed by a mop with warm water when needed, plus the occasional use of a mild detergent formulated for porcelain tiles once in a while.  They really are super low maintenance. So unlike natural wood, or stone that may require regular sealing or maintenance, porcelain doesn’t require any of this.
Another brilliant benefit of porcelain is that tiles have different finishes. Sometimes the same tile design is available in different surface textures – think matt, natural, soft, antislip, honed as examples.
This means you can find tiles to work across every room in your home and even outside.
Porcelain flooring works brilliantly with underfloor heating. And of course, in the summer when you want a cooler climate, porcelain flooring can help with that too, as it is lovely and cool to the touch.
Unlike carpet, porcelain doesn’t trap dust so it is a good option for the home. And of course, it is easy to clear dust from the tile surface.
Porcelain tiles are designed to mimic the design of other materials. The latest tiles from manufacturers who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible with porcelain means tiles are more realistic than ever before and copying the design of marbles, metals, woods, stones, limestones, slate amongst other materials.
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Good quality porcelain tile collections house maybe 20, 30, 40 or even 50 patterns. Take Knot our new wood collection, these large format planks bring to life the knots and gnarls of real wood with incredible realism, so much so, it can be hard to tell the difference from the real thing.
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So, in answer to the question, are porcelain floor tiles hard wearing, it’s a resounding yes. This is one of the most versatile, hardwearing and beautiful materials you can use across your home. Take a look at some of our hardwearing porcelains below. Or click any of the links under the images above to take you to our website!
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The TilePortfolio specialise in Italian and Spanish Porcelain and Ceramic tiles, in particular large format Porcelains and Porcelain tiles for inside and outside. Our carefully curated, stunning tile portfolios are beautifully presented online and supported by our fuss-free ‘go-the-extra-tile’ service. In addition, you can view our entire tile collection at our Northamptonshire Showroom. Visit our website for unmissable interiors inspiration. The TilePortfolio team are always available to chat, we’d be delighted to help with your project so please do get in touch.Â
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Please note: We strongly recommend using a professional tiler for your project. Installation requirements may vary depending on the tiles you choose, the fixing products used and the specific conditions. Always check with your tiler regards the suitability of the tiles. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
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