What is the difference between porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles?

They look great and are available in almost every colour you can think of – we are of course talking about tiles! The two most popular types of tiles are porcelain and ceramic.  See the differences between the two tile types and decide which of them is best choice for your home!

What is a ceramic tile?

Ceramic tiles are typically made of clay, talc and sand, all combined in an appropriate ratio. They are light-weight and workable. However, due to their properties, there are some restrictions in their application. Ceramic tiles are perfect for walls, but because of their low resistance to fracture and their ability to easily get scratched, they would not work well on floors. Also, due to their high absorbency rates they cannot be used outdoors.

Advantages of porcelain tiles

What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles? First of all, the difference lies in the raw materials used to produce them. Porcelain tiles are made of several types of clay, sand and feldspar. Ceramic tiles are made of finely ground sand, clay and talc. The process by which the tiles are made also differs: porcelain tiles are formed using high pressures and are fired at high temperatures (ca. 1100 – 1200 °C). It is thanks to this process that the porcelain tiles have so many advantages, in particular:

• frost resistance (thanks to this feature porcelain tiles maintain dimensional stability both at high and sub-zero temperatures),
• low water absorbency rate,
• high resistance to scratching and mechanical damage,
• a wide variety of colours and structures, as well as the option of having the appearance of other materials such as concrete, wood, stone and marble, along with many different finishes.

Porcelain vs. ceramic – comparison of characteristics

Still cannot decide which tiles to use? Here is a short table comparing their technical characteristics. Take a closer look and you certainly won’t have any difficulties making your perfect selection!

	Ceramic tiles	Porcelain tiles
Finish	smooth	matt lapatto (semi polished) polished
Water absorbency	6-10%	0.05-0.5%
Frost resistance	no	yes
Resistance to mechanical damage	low	high

In conclusion, porcelain tiles have their advantages in the following circumstances:

• they can successfully be used outdoors, e.g. on a terrace or a balcony – and they will not change their look or properties due to frost or high temperatures,
• due to their low absorbency rates,  floor and wall porcelain tiles are great for bathrooms and pools,
• they are a perfect choice when dealing with high traffic areas, as they maintain their appearance and functionality for a long time.

You can find more unconventional porcelain tiles here. Look closely at our offer and find the tiles that suit your design needs best!

Types and applications of porcelain stoneware tiles

When dreaming about beautiful, and at the same time durable floors one simply must consider porcelain stoneware tiles. Not only do they meet high durability requirements, but are available in an almost endless variety of colours, a large number of structures and  finishes. Find out which ones are the best choice for your home.

Glazed porcelain tiles – what are their advantages?

Porcelain tiles are one of the most popular wall and floor finishes, both because of their excellent technical parameters and aesthetic qualities. There are many arguments in favour of using these type of porcelain tiles. What you should you know about them:

• they are durable (high load bearing capacity),
• they are highly resistant to scratches and mechanical damage,
• they are slip resistant,
• thanks to their glazed surface there is no need to apply a protective sealant, nor is there a need for any special maintenance,
• their high resistance to stains allows for easy everyday care and cleaning,

• they are UV resistant,
• they come in many formats (Cerrad offers porcelain tiles in numerous formats, for example: 60x60cm, 60x120cm, 120x120cm, 17.5x60cm, 17.5x90cm, 20x120cm, 20x160cm, or 162x324cm),
• porcelain tiles are popular due to a multitude of designs (e.g. they can have concrete, stone or wood effect), formats and finishes (e.g. matt, lapatto or a polished finish).

Where can porcelain tiles be used?

Due to the properties of porcelain stoneware tiles they have a large range of applications. They are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. What surfaces are the porcelain tiles best used for?

• floors, both inside (e.g. in living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, hallways) and outside (terraces, balconies),
• fireplaces,
• garages, boiler rooms and high-traffic areas,
• stairs (V-shape tiles are worth getting a closer look at).

Types of porcelain tile finishes

• matt finish

Due to their neutral nature matt porcelain tiles are perfect for almost every décor style. The tiles can be successfully used on walls and floors – this way we can create a minimalistic design with an industrial touch. A matt finish of a porcelain tile floor (e.g. with wood effect), on the other hand, would serve as a counterbalance for an eclectic space filled with patterns and decorations.

• lapatto finish

Lapatto tiles allow you to create a surface that combines an attractive shine with an elegant matt finish. See for example our tiles from the Apenino collection that look exactly like concrete. They would complement every décor perfectly.

• polished finish

Porcelain tiles with a polished finish are considered the most elegant among all ceramic tiles – all because of the beautiful shine and a perfectly smooth finish. When searching for these tiles take a look at our Statuario collection example that looks like marble.

Where can you use these types of porcelain tiles? Everywhere that appearance is a concern, so in the most representative parts of your home. They will work well in glamourous and modern décors.

A living room floor design. Which tiles should you choose?

Do you need to select a type of flooring for your living room? Are you considering whether to make your floor practical or beautiful? Fortunately, there are solutions that allow you to combine the two. Discover the latest trends in interior design and see how you can create a functional, yet elegant floor that will delight the eye, while at the same time serving its purpose for many years.

Living room porcelain tiles – modern trends

• industrial style – raw minimalism

Polish people have fallen in love with minimalism. Investors and designers prefer large, open spaces that are stylistically uniform. Modern metropolitan designs often refer to the industrial style, that is why we see tiles that look like concrete on the floors and walls.

White and black, along with all shades of grey, offer an elegant and stylish ambiance. Porcelain tiles in various shades of grey will look especially well on a living room floor, as they will easily match the other home furnishings and decor. The Tassero and Batista are two of our collections that imitate raw concrete, offering fashionable urban elegance with an industrial touch.

• Scandinavian style – close to nature

Another trend in interior design that is a different type of minimalism – the Scandinavian type. In interior designs inspired by nature and simple forms, wood is the best choice. A wooden floor is a dream that many people have, so eventually they may be faced with the decision of choosing an option best suited for them. However, one should remember that a wooden floor requires regular maintenance and care, not only during installation, but also on a regular basis during its lifetime. Also, if one enjoys underfloor heating, a wooden floor  is problematic when it comes to heat transfer. Tiles that look like wood are a practical alternative. Due to their many advantages, porcelain stoneware tiles are used more often than traditional hardwood flooring. Why is that? Tiles are easier to clean; they are resistant to scratching and are significantly more durable. They do not require sealing or sanding in order to maintain their properties for years.

Materials having the wood effect are a great choice for every living room – light and soft colours will beautifully complement small rooms with restricted light, whereas darker and more vivid colours will give character to large living rooms with multiple glass panes. We can see examples of these solutions within the Mattina and Catalea collections.

How do I choose a living room floor?

There are many materials on the market that can be utilized for a floor. Among the most popular are wood, floor panels, concrete and porcelain stoneware tiles – the latter being the most advantageous. You should choose a floor that is wear resistant, and one that will combine well with the remainder of your décor or your future interior design vision. When thinking about what the best solution for your living room is, one should pay attention to the following:

• wear resistance rating,
• slip resistance properties,
• easy cleaning,
• suitability of a given material for underfloor heating,
• availability of a wide range of desired colours and finishes in popular floor materials (concrete, wood),
• availability of multiple formats.

Ahead of us, the upcoming international Coverings 2019 fair in Orlando with the participation of Cerrad

The first quarter of the year brought Cerrad a multitude of success in the international arena. The company showcased its products at the BAU markets in Munich, introduced a wide variety of merchandise during the International SURFACE Event in Las Vegas, increased its presence and recognition at various global markets, and today it’s preparing to take part in the Coverings fair.
The Coverings fair, which will take place between April 9 and 12, in Orlando, Florida, is dedicated to the ceramic tile and natural stone industries. The 30 plus year tradition of this fair makes it one of the most important and renowned events in the finishing industry. The fair draws in over 1100 exhibitors, tens of thousands of visitors and a countless amount of eminent, worldly designs. The presence during this year’s happening is an excellent opportunity for a meet and greet with the best architects, designers, contractors and investors from around the world all the meanwhile familiarizing yourself with the latest trends which will be a must in the upcoming seasons.

Cerrad will also have a great presence in Florida. Design, quality and ingenuity are three words that can be used to describe the manufacturers booth, which will display their large format, top of the line collections inspired by concrete textures, wood grain and the beauty of marble. New products, such as tiles in various stone styles, with matt and polished surfaces will also be introduced. The exhibition can be viewed and admired at booth 1080.

Coverings is an event where the creative and business dimensions merge together. Presence at such a relevant, international event is only a taste of the company’s future endeavors. This year Cerrad will also appear at the Cersaie fair in Bologna and will present their collections during the October Warsaw Home event.

Cerrad Dazzles at TISE with large format tiles. A report from the House Tipster portal

The International SURFACE Event is the largest floor covering, stone, and tile industry event in the United States. We recommend that you read the report on the event prepared by the House Tipster portal, as well as the interview that we participated in with Jennifer Farrell of Jennifer Farrell Designs. In the interview, we talk about our products, the history of Cerrad and our vision for the future, which includes the expansion of our operations in North America.

Cerrad Dazzles at TISE with Large Format Tiles

Cerrad at The International SURFACE Event 2019

The International SURFACE Event is the largest North American floor covering, stone, and tile industry event. The event is the key industry marketplace for manufacturers, architects, and interior designers. Cerrad could not miss out on this year’s edition of TISE.
Over 23-25 January, Las Vegas will become the world’s capital of design. It’s the perfect chance to see what is being offered by the industry-leading manufacturers who create and set new trends in interior design. It’s also a place where businesses can gain new opportunities for further development. Cerrad’s stand will be a great source of inspiration. At The International SURFACE Event, we plan to present a collection of large format porcelain tiles, and many more surprising innovations.

We invite you to visit us. Booth 4931.

Cerrad at BAU Trade Fair 2019

Cerrad is going to be exhibiting at this year’s BAU – one of the world’s leading trade fairs for architecture, materials and systems. It already looks like this year’s edition is going to be really exceptional! Exhibitors will have the opportunity to see the products offered by over 2.2 thousand manufacturers from 45 countries, displayed in an exhibition space of 200,000 m2.
The BAU Trade Fair in Munich promotes the latest technological solutions, which go in line with the modern trends determining the future of the building industry. The trade fair will gather leading producers of finishing materials and construction systems designed for commercial and residential interiors.
This year, the trade fair takes place over 14-19 January. Come and visit the Cerrad stand, no. A4.533, where we plan to present a collection of large format porcelain tiles, Cerrad 2.0, and many more surprising innovations.

Sophisticated design, new collections. Cerrad at the Cersaie fairs 2018

Countless exhibitors, inspiring new products, top-notch design combined with creative atmosphere – it is the quintessence of the Cersaie fairs. Cerrad could not afford to miss such an important event.
The Bologna event dedicated exclusively to tiles and bathroom furnishings is a unique opportunity to present new products, get to know trends and tendencies in design and constitutes a platform for the exchange of experiences and ideas between manufacturers, distributors, designers and potential customers.
This year’s visit to Italy is of special importance to us – says Tomasz Glegoła, the company’s Marketing Director. – The Cersaie fairs were the summit of our key actions – the opening of a new plant and introducing a new format of porcelain slabs under the ULTIME brand. For our guests we prepared presentations of our new products – a wide range of solutions inspired by the beauty of surrounding world – he adds.

Invitation to the world of design
Spacious, modern and simple – these three words can describe the Cerrad 160 m2 stand at the Cersaie fairs where the manufacturer presented its flagship products – the ULTIME collection in matte and polished versions, terrace tiles and many more new tiles. Cerrad chose minimalism and creativity and invited the guests to a kitchen, living-room and bathroom which were a perfect place for presenting new tiles.
Our customers were impressed with our zone around the house where we showed the collection of terrace tiles – Cerrad 2.0 – says Tomasz Glegoła, the Marketing Director.
This unique showroom not only presented extraordinary possibilities of the Cerrad’s solutions but was also a creative space, perfect for very stimulating conversations. The company’s representatives answered the questions related to the design and production processes.

New products launch
The manufacturer focused on large formats, nature-inspired collections and terrace tiles which complemented its solutions dedicated to the interiors. During the Cersaie fairs, new formats of large format porcelain slabs, inspired by elegant marble and raw concrete, were shown to the public. A wide range of formats which enables to combine various tiles of the ULTIME collection, opens new design possibilities for architects and customers.
Among the nature-inspired collections, worth mentioning are the ones inspired by the beauty of stone and warmth of wood. But that is not all. For the fairs we presented a lot of new products which had not been presented before – says Tomasz Glegoła, the Marketing Director – We proudly presented the Neiba collection, 20x240cm, the format which had not been available earlier, the 20×240 cm version of the Acero collection and marble-inspired tiles – the Thamal, Boca, Vasco and Mandi collections, 120x60cm. We expanded our terrace tiles collections by adding the Mattina 2.0, 120x20cm and 120x40cm and Belgica 2.0 tiles, 60x60cm and 80x80cm. Additionally, following the suggestions of designers and customers, we enriched our offer with the Tassero and Mattina tiles characterized by improved anti-slip properties – R11 – underlines the Cerrad expert.
Due to its international character, the Cersaie fairs are an event which is particularly important for the industry. The products presented there indicate the directions of development in the forthcoming season – We are well prepared for the challenge – says Tomasz Glegoła.

Design inspired by nature. Cerrad presents the Tacoma collection

Fashions fade but designs inspired by nature are eternal. It was the beauty of natural stone which laid the foundation for creating the new Tacoma collection – the tiles that will add a touch of originality to every interior. The elements of design inspired by the surrounding world are the obvious solution if you pay attention to style and quality. They bring peace and harmony to our home and let you rest after a hard day of work.

The Tacoma collection, inspired by the beauty of natural stone is a new product from Cerrad, designed to complement traditional and modern arrangements. Available in 5 colour versions: steel, grey, silver, white and sand, it will form a perfect duo with both intense and muted colours, adding dynamics or subtlety to the design. The textured surface with flecks of hematite combined with distinct patterns draw everyone’s attention and make the collection a perfect material with limitless creation possibilities.

The collection will perfectly fit into a modern kitchen which is sometimes connected with the living-room and a bathroom where it will complement stylish ceramic products and furniture, both on walls and floors.
Cerrad’s new collection is a perfect solution for those who like to experiment with design and focus on the originality of arrangement. A distinct texture, slightly glossy surface and five natural colours – Tacoma is a perfect duo of design and nature. The collection, inspired by the beauty of stone will add a touch of originality to every interior and create a marvellous combination with both intense and muted colours.

Multi format changes! New sizes and a wide range of colors of the Concrete collection

Multi format porcelain tiles are one of the best solutions for trendy modern interiors. Today, as a result of expanding the Concrete collection which included large format tiles 160×320 cm, design gains a new dimension – literally and figuratively! The Cerrad’s concrete inspired collection is now available as multi format.

The “total look” is based on the harmony of arrangement which comprises colors, patterns and cohesion of finishing materials. While designing a “total look” interior we have to combine many elements which not only fit together perfectly but also complement one another in order to create a harmonious whole. With a view to create such designs, Cerrad introduces the multi format Concrete collection. The tiles are pressed as pieces 160 x 480 cm and then cut before the firing, making it possible to choose their final size. This method allows for the production of smaller sizes so as to expand the collection and offer customers a wider range of products.

Four color versions – grey, graphite grey, anthracite grey and beige combined with matte finish, are now available in 8 new formats – 60×60 cm, 80×80 cm, 60×120 cm, 60×180 cm, 120×120 cm, 120×240 cm, 120×270 cm and as a 30 x 30 cm mosaic sheet. The collection is complemented by step treads and baseboards which make it easy to create not only a minimalist “total look” interior but also a futuristic design with a colorful accents in the background. Regardless of whether we choose only one format or combine various elements of the collection, the Concrete tiles will perfectly complement a stylish living room, modern kitchen or trendy bathroom.