Ceramic Tile Flooring:
Pros, Cons & Comparisons

Big plans for a kitchen remodel or bathroom tile design project? Take a look at ceramic tile flooring. Ceramic tile has many benefits without some of the concerns and/or costs of marble and granite tiles.

No worries finding that perfect color for your bath or kitchen tile design project... ceramic tile comes in nearly every shade with interesting patterns and textures too including decent imitations of natural stone like travertine tiles.

On the previous Ceramic Floor Tile page we detailed everything there is to know about ceramic tile.... on this page we'll cover the pros and cons and compare ceramic to other floor tile options.

Pros

• Water and stain-proof
• Durable, extremely wear-resistant and long-lasting
• Easy to clean with just hot water or standard cleaning products
• Glazed ceramic doesn't need sealing
• Won't crack or deform in heat or frost
• Colors won't fade
• A multitude of color, pattern and texture choices
• Wide variety of shapes and sizes
• Good Traction and slip-resistance
• A low cost or discount floor tile

Cons

• Chips and scratches remove the colored glaze
• Difficult to repair or re-surface
• Can look a bit plastic

Depending on the level of style you are trying to achieve with your bath or kitchen tile design, ceramic tile flooring can be an excellent choice. It is not considered a high end or upscale flooring, but it certainly presents well and the cons are minimal. So, for the price, ceramic floor tile is hard to beat.

Comparisons

Granite vs. Ceramic

Granite is more durable. Granite tiles ultimately will take more abuse and last longer than ceramic tile flooring. Also, granite will not chip or scratch as easily and can be repaired or resurfaced if damage does occur. Unlike glazed ceramic, some granites need sealing, but many do not and are as carefree, stain-proof and easy to clean and maintain as ceramic.

Granite offers far more colors, patterns and textures than ceramic along with the unique allure and inimitable look of natural stone. Ceramic floor tile will certainly cost much less than granite and that is the only significant advantage.

Ceramic Tile vs. Marble, Travertine, Limestone

Again, you can get ceramic tile flooring that imitates the "look" of marble and travertine floor tile but not well enough to be mistaken for real stone. For the ultimate in style, beauty and luxury, nothing will surpass marble and natural stone.

Marble, travertine and limestone will not stain easy if polished, but most floors are honed and thus need to be sealed to retard staining. Glazed ceramic tile does not need sealing.

Also, marble, travetine and limestone will etch upon contact with acidic foods like wine, coffee, soda, mustard and you need to only use cleaning products made for marble, which can be more expensive than typical household cleaners.

Of course, hot water will work just as well on marble as on ceramic tile flooring. Ceramic does not etch and you can use any standard household cleaner.

The cheaper cost of ceramic is again the main advantage... it is a durable discount floor tile. The simple care and maintenance is also an advantage for ceramic; however, marble, travertine and limestone will be easier to repair if chipped, scratched or otherwise damaged than ceramic tile.

Ceramic vs. Porcelain Tile

Ceramic tile flooring and porcelain are made essentially the same way. Porcelain claims all of the features of ceramic, but in addition porcelain is harder and more durable.... almost as good as stone.

Like ceramic, porcelain provides a wide range of colors and styles, shapes and edges and is easy to maintain and clean.

The big advantage of porcelain is that the color is consistent throughout the tile (like stone) so if porcelain is chipped or scratched it can be repaired much more easily than ceramic. Porcelain is more expensive though.

For overall quality, ceramic is a close second to porcelain, but again it's a discount floor tile that is more friendly to your wallet!

As you can see, ceramic makes an excellent floor tile that's long-lasting, easy to maintain and relatively cheap to install.

If you are willing to spend a bit (to a lot) more and learn the more particular (but not too difficult) maintenance needs of natural stone, you can achieve a more stylish, elegant and upscale look for your kitchen remodel or bathroom tile design.

Ceramic tile flooring will still look very nice and all considered, is a great bargain.

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