Material Comparison
Find flooring that stands out from the rest.
Ceramic tile outperforms other common flooring in function, safety, sustainability, and style.
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Ceramic Tile Material Comparison
Ceramic tile is time-tested and trusted as a highly durable and beautiful family of surface materials.
The broad definition of ceramic tile encompasses different types of ceramic tile, all of which collectively make up what is commonly known as the “ceramic tile family.”
Each of these tile subsets is ceramic tile and thus shares ceramic tile’s general benefits: water-resistant, scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and flame-resistant. Many ceramic tile options are also frost-and slip-resistant. Each subset is produced slightly differently and may consequently have additional advantages that lend themselves to specific applications.
A ceramic surface component, glazed or unglazed, is fired at a temperature sufficiently high to produce specific, desirable characteristics and properties. These qualities make all types of ceramic tile ideal for a wide variety of uses in any space and application, inside and outside.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tiles have an “impervious” water absorption rate of 0.5% or less, and tests show porcelain is harder than granite. Porcelain’s unique composition and manufacturing process give it incredible durability and low water absorption rates. These qualities make porcelain (and other types of ceramic tile) well-suited for water and outdoor applications.
Additionally, gauged porcelain tile panels/slabs are the largest tiles in the ceramic tile family, measuring as wide as 5 feet and as long as 15 feet. These XXL tiles can be used for building facades, countertops, and even furniture construction that can be printed with branding and unique designs.
During the manufacturing process, porcelain tiles may be dry-pressed or extruded and glazed or left unglazed, depending on the desired finish.
Quarry Tile
Quarry tiles differs from other types of ceramic tiles in that it must be formed by extrusion. While quarry tile technically includes impervious, vitreous, and some semi-vitreous tiles (up to 5% water absorption), many quarry tile options are vitreous (0.5 to 3% water absorption).
Many quarry tiles are red, but brown, tan, black, gray, and other earth tones are also available, depending on how much clay, shale, and other minerals are used in manufacturing. These color options make quarry tiles an ideal choice for creating a rustic or natural aesthetic. Quarry tile is also a great alternative to similar-looking terra cotta, poured epoxy, or stamped concrete, which may not have the same level of water resistance, durability, or versatility.
Quarry tile’s durability, frost resistance, and heat resistance paired with its low price point make it a smart, economical flooring option both indoors and out.
Pressed Floor Tile
Pressed floor tiles are manufactured using the dry pressing forming method and have a surface area of at least 9 square inches. As the name suggests, these tiles are primarily intended for flooring, but they can also be used on walls and other areas. Check with the manufacturer of your tile choice to ensure it is appropriate for your project.
Pressed floor tiles may be vitreous (0.5 to 3% water absorption), semi-vitreous (3 to 7%), or non-vitreous (more than 7%).
Glazed Wall Tile
As you might imagine from the name, glazed wall tiles are glazed tiles intended for wall applications.
Glazed wall tiles are usually dry-pressed and non-vitreous (more than 7% water absorption). Generally, glazed wall tiles aren’t designed to endure abrasion, excessive impact, or freeze/thaw cycles, meaning they’re best suited for indoor use.
Ceramic Mosaic Tile
Ceramic mosaic tiles are defined as tiles with a surface area of less than 9 square inches.
Because of their small size, ceramic mosaic tiles are typically mounted in sheets or strips to facilitate installation. Ceramic mosaic tiles may be made of regular ceramic, porcelain, or quarry tile, so impervious, vitreous, semi-vitreous, and non-vitreous water absorption ratings are all possible.
The intricate manufacturing process of ceramic tiles ensures even smaller variations, like ceramic mosaic tiles, meet specific standards for quality and durability. Although not part of the technical definition of ceramic mosaic tile, a key element of this tile type is the creativity of the design, involving a combination of colors, tile shapes, and even textures.
The versatility of ceramic tiles, from standard forms to intricate mosaics, highlights their adaptability and aesthetic appeal across applications.
How Ceramic Tile Is Made
Ceramic tile is made through a controlled, multi-step process that produces a dense, moisture‑resistant, and durable surface:
Benefits of Ceramic Tile
Tile combines health advantages with practical safety options—making it a strong choice for homes, businesses, healthcare facilities, and commercial environments.
In addition to functional advantages, ceramic tile is a smart choice for making a style impact.
Ceramic tile’s low-maintenance benefits make cleaning easy, so you can clean up most messes merely by sweeping, wiping with water, and drying.
Ceramic tile is moisture-, scratch-, stain-, heat-, and fade-resistant, so it stands up to wet conditions, heavy traffic, and sunlight without warping or losing color for decades of beautiful use.
When comparing purchase price, installation, maintenance, and replacement, tile often delivers the best long‑term value.
Ceramic tile is a natural, durable, low‑maintenance surface whose long service life lowers lifetime cost and environmental impact. Independent life‑cycle studies and manufacturer disclosures show tile’s advantages in durability, low VOCs, recycled content options, and improved production efficiency. These advantages make it a practical, sustainable choice for many projects.
Flooring Material Comparison
Different flooring materials have certain attributes that may make a material more beneficial for a particular application than another.
Important Questions to Consider When Comparing Materials
- What is the flooring material made of?
- What conditions will the material be exposed to—wet, dry, or oil and grease?
- Could the materials adversely affect allergenicity or air quality?
- How does the sourcing, use, or disposal of a material impact the environment?
- What associated costs should be expected over the life of a particular material—taking into account purchase price, installation, maintenance, and disposal?
Flooring Ingredient Comparison Chart
KEY: ▼ = Ingredient concern ● = Free from concern
| Ingredient | Vinyl Flooring | Laminate Flooring | Engineered Wood Flooring | Solid Wood Flooring | Ceramic Tile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VOCs | ▼ | ▼ | ▼ | ▼ | ● |
| Formaldehyde | ▼ | ▼ | ▼ | ● | ● |
| Phthalate | ▼ | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Organotin | ▼ | ▼ | ● | ● | ● |
| Allergens | ▼ | ▼ | ▼ | ● | ● |
| Plastic | ▼ | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Comparison of Product Use Categories for Flooring Materials
The ANSI A326.3 American National Standard Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials allows manufacturers to directly communicate areas of use based on the slip resistance characteristics of their products.
The American National Standard A326.3 is intended to serve as a guide to the general public, manufacturers, distributors, specifiers, architects, contractors, testing laboratories, building owners, and other businesses and professionals.
According to the standard, hard surface flooring products shall be classified into one or more of the categories. Additionally, the standard provides informative “possible areas of use” for each category. Some examples are excerpted below.
The Five Product Use Categories
1. Interior, Dry (ID)
Possible areas of use (some examples excerpted from A326.3): indoor shopping malls (excepting food courts), hotel lobbies, office buildings, showrooms, and home interiors without water sources.
2. Interior, Wet (IW)
Possible areas of use (some examples excerpted from A326.3): entry foyers, public restrooms (without showers), grocery stores, “front of the house” in fine and casual dining restaurants with a closed kitchen, and home interiors including bathrooms and kitchens.
3. Interior, Wet Plus (IW+)
Possible areas of use (some examples excerpted from A326.3): public showers, interior pool decks, locker rooms, covered exterior areas, steam rooms, “front of the house” applications in restaurants with an open kitchen, and in “front of the house” applications in quick service, fast-casual, and self-service restaurants, and food areas in gas stations.
4. Exterior, Wet (EW)
Possible areas of use (some examples excerpted from A326.3): level outdoor living spaces including pool decks, walkways, patios, and sidewalks.
5. Oils/Greases (O/G)
Possible areas of use (some examples excerpted from A326.3): level areas regularly exposed to automotive fluids, “back of the house” fast food or family style restaurants, food preparation areas with grills or deep-fry equipment, and any area where oil, grease, and/or fats may be present.
For more information, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) provides a free downloadable copy of the A326.3 standard.
