Ceramic vs. Porcelain Tiles and Their Finishes - Gema Milan
When choosing wall or floor coverings, it’s important to understand the differences between ceramic and porcelain tiles. Ceramic is lighter, more affordable, and ideal for indoor use, while porcelain is denser, more durable, and suitable for high-traffic areas or outdoor spaces.
Finishes—such as matte, polished, slip-resistant, or textured—not only affect the look, but also the functionality, including shine, grip, and ease of cleaning.
Ceramic tiles: recommended uses
✅ Ideal areas:
• Interior walls (bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, living rooms).
• Indoor floors with low foot traffic.
• Dry or moderately humid areas: they can be glazed, but are not the best option for places that receive direct and continuous water.
📌 Why:
• More affordable.
• Easier to cut and install.
• Wide variety of designs for wall decoration.
⚠️ Avoid using them in:
• Outdoors, terraces, or patios exposed to rain or frost.
• High-traffic areas public places or busy hallways.
• Floors that can get very wet, such as showers or pool surrounds.
Porcelain tiles: recommended uses
✅ Ideal areas:
• High-traffic floors: kitchens, hallways, commercial spaces, airports, etc.
• Bathrooms and wet areas, including showers and walls that get direct water.
• Outdoor spaces: terraces, patios, façades, thanks to their low water absorption and frost resistance.
• Industrial areas or garages: due to their high mechanical strength.
• Spaces needing indoor-outdoor visual continuity, like a living room connecting to a terrace.
📌 Why:
• High hardness and wear resistance.
• Very low water absorption.
• Better resistance to temperature changes and frost.
• Wide range of finishes, including realistic stone, wood, or concrete effects.
⚠️ Take care:
• Polished finishes can be slippery when wet, so for outdoor areas it’s best to choose anti-slip or textured porcelain tiles.
• More expensive and needs specialized tools and professionals to cut and install.
✅ In summary:
• Ceramic tiles: best for indoor walls and floors in residential areas and dry zones.
• Porcelain tiles: best for outdoor areas, wet zones, high-traffic spaces, and when maximum durability is needed
✨
1. Polished finish (high gloss)
Description:
The surface is polished until it becomes very shiny, reflecting light and enhancing the colors and patterns.
✅ Pros:
• Elegant, bright look; makes spaces feel larger.
• Highlights the design and texture of the tile.
• Easy to wipe off surface dirt.
❌ Cons:
• More slippery, especially when wet (not recommended for outdoors or wet zones).
• Can show scratches, footprints, and stains more easily.
🌿
2. Matte finish
Description:
A flat, non-reflective surface with a more natural, subdued look.
✅ Pros:
• Better at hiding dust, marks, and scratches.
• Less slippery than polished tiles.
• Offers a modern, natural style.
❌ Cons:
• Can be slightly harder to clean, since stains may cling to the texture.
• Doesn’t reflect light, so it won’t make spaces look brighter.
⚙️
3. Textured or anti-slip finish
Description:
A rougher surface or relief pattern that increases traction.
✅ Pros:
• More safety: reduces the risk of slipping.
• Ideal for outdoor areas, pool surrounds, showers, or ramps.
❌ Cons:
• Harder to clean: dirt can accumulate in grooves and textures.
• Might feel less comfortable under bare feet.
✨
4. Satin finish
Description:
A middle point between matte and polished: a soft, subtle sheen without being too reflective.
✅ Pros:
• Combines aesthetics and functionality: some shine, but less slippery.
• Modern and elegant appearance.
❌ Cons:
• Can still show footprints or stains, though less than polished.
• Typically slightly more expensive due to manufacturing process.
