Preferences
Porcelain stoneware or ceramic terrace: advantages and disadvantages in comparison
Porcelain stoneware or ceramic terrace? Discover the advantages and disadvantages in comparison for your outdoor areas. Find the best solution!
Have you perhaps built a new house and want to give your terrace a bit of a breath of fresh air or completely change the use of this space? Then welcome aboard! Here you will find an overview of materials and also a comparison of their properties, which will help you make your decision.
Various criteria - a terrace covering
The tiles for the outdoor area should not only fulfill their main function, but could also become an eye-catching accent. The selection of outdoor tiles is dizzying, but how can you keep a clear head and choose the right ones?
Such features as great resistance, non-slip surface, easy maintenance and beautiful design should be the criteria you should pay attention to. Ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware are particularly suitable for this.
Are porcelain stoneware and ceramic the same?
Both materials are ceramic products made from fired clay, but they have certain differences in their manufacturing processes.
Ceramics are generally divided into two main categories: fine ceramics (which include porcelain stoneware) and coarse ceramics (including the ceramic tiles mentioned above).
Porcelain stoneware is made from finely ground ceramics that are pressed into shape at high pressure and then fired. The ingredients consist only of the purest materials: clay, feldspar, sand, etc. They are fused together particularly tightly during the firing process. Fine ceramics have structural components with a grain size of 0.1 to 0.2 mm. At the same time, the aesthetic effect is given by colors of natural origin.
The components of coarse ceramics are larger and have a grain size of more than 0.2 mm.
The most well-known coarse ceramic products are clinker. Ceramics have more porosity, while porcelain stoneware has a glass-like structure.
Ceramic tiles on your terrace
When it comes to ceramics, you certainly have a large choice between different formats and looks, depending on your taste. Porcelain and ceramic tiles for outdoor use also have a special impregnation and are therefore easy to maintain and resistant to scratches.
So, now to the main advantages:
- resistant to high temperature fluctuations (from -50ºC to +60ºC);
- resistant to road salt;
- easy to maintain (even with a high-pressure cleaner);
- resistant to moss and mold.
Since we want to look at the materials from all sides, we also overlook their weaknesses.
On terraces, ceramic outdoor tiles are most often laid loosely - in a bed of gravel or on pedestals. Tiles laid in this way are less resistant than glued tiles. In addition, ceramic tiles must be regularly filled with grout when laid loosely.
However, it is not so important which installation method you choose. The main thing is that each step is carried out professionally. Incorrectly laid ceramic patio tiles can break or lift off during use.
Another weakness is a higher load. If your terrace is subject to a lot of load (for example, this area is constantly walked by many people), the ceramic tiles are not the best solution.
So, the common annoyances can be caused by:
- possible slipping
- less load,
- additional grout
- sand.
Another nuance to consider when choosing porcelain and ceramic tiles for outdoor use: they get hot. Even light colors that do not absorb heat so quickly can get so hot in direct sunlight that you will have limited ability to walk without shoes.
Porcelain stoneware in your terrace
To make the right decision, we need to look at the current issue from all angles, keeping in mind our own taste, imagination and needs.
Here are the main advantages at a glance:
- Frost-resistant and weather-resistant structure. Porcelain stoneware is mostly used for outdoor terraces because it is a hard material with low porosity. Thanks to extremely high temperatures in the manufacturing process, a sintered surface structure is formed. So, strong temperature fluctuations are no challenge for porcelain stoneware.
- Low abrasion and slip resistance. Porcelain stoneware tiles are distinguished by high abrasion resistance. Slip resistance is ensured by a specially processed surface. The tiles are extremely hard and resistant to abrasion and scratches. So you choose safety.
- Variety of designs. Porcelain stoneware tiles also offer a wide range of designs and appearances that ideally imitate the look of natural stone, wood or concrete. The terrace tiles look aesthetic and stylish, but at the same time they retain practical properties. This is exactly what makes them a worthwhile option.
- Easy to maintain. Since porcelain stoneware patio tiles are non-porous, the surface protects against the penetration of dirt and liquids. This means you won't be intimidated by the stains that often appear on the patio (wine, tomato sauce, coffee, etc.).
- Environmentally friendly. This is also an important advantage, since porcelain stoneware patio tiles are made from natural raw materials and are therefore easily recyclable.
But of course, there are some aspects that should be carefully considered.
- Complicated installation. Due to the high density of the material, cutting and drilling becomes complicated and requires precision. You will probably need professional help for this, which can increase the costs.
- Hot patio tiles in summer. If the tile surface is exposed to direct sunlight, the covering heats up very quickly. This is especially true for dark tiles. For sunny patios, light colors or special sun protection products should be chosen to minimize the heat effect.
The right patio covering: ceramic or porcelain stoneware?
If you are looking for long-lasting, beautiful and easy-care tiles for your patio, then ceramic or porcelain stoneware are definitely the right choice. Whether you choose ceramic or porcelain stoneware: in all cases you get high-quality materials that are closer to nature due to natural raw materials (clay and minerals). But first you have to carefully check and evaluate all the details.
For the patio we offer both porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles because they are abrasion-resistant, frost- and weather-resistant and easy to clean. In addition, ceramic offers a large selection of different looks.
Ceramic and porcelain stoneware outdoors. Is that possible?
Both coarse ceramic products and those that belong to the fine ceramic category can also be laid on the patio and outdoors. The decisive factor is how the surface was processed during production.
Most ceramic tiles have a corresponding note that provides information about liquid absorption, weather resistance and slip resistance.
The same applies to porcelain stoneware tiles. Porcelain stoneware is also considered an ideal outdoor floor covering because it is scratch-resistant, durable and frost-resistant. There are several abrasion classes, and depending on this, even heavily used terraces can be fitted with porcelain stoneware tiles. However, cutting and laying them can be complicated.
The above properties make these tiles ideal for outdoor use. Thanks to the robust surface, they are not only durable and resistant, but also insensitive to most cleaning agents and therefore easy to maintain.
So, there are a few moments that you should know. But if you carefully think about all the nuances and choose your tiles cleverly, you can enjoy a beautiful terrace. The porcelain stoneware tiles are a perfect floor covering for your terrace area.
