Porcelain is ceramic. What you want to avoid is porous tiles. Most glazed tiles are suitable for wet areas. More glossy is slippery but that can happen with porcelain, also. Standard wall tile is a bisque body -porous- but is glazed before firing so fine for wet areas. Modern tile bodies are less porous probably, but unless you’re installing outside, no worries. Proper porcelain -and there is improper porcelain- is very low porosity. The body material is fired at a very high heat so it fuses into a glass like state, so suitable for exterior use. There are a number of attractive properties to porcelain; glazed or unglazed, cleft or rough face, matte face, or glossy like marble. It’s also as tough a nails, as in being less vulnerable to scratching. But lower fired, glazed products can look great, too. And unglazed quarry tile has its applications. The original Saltillo tile was one of my fave looks. Answer from jimyjami on reddit.com
Capitolcarpetandtile
capitolcarpetandtile.com › our-blog › articles › porcelain-vs-ceramic-tile-which-is-best-for-your-shower
Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile: Which is Best for Your Shower? | Palm Beach County | Capitol Carpet & Tile and Window Fashions
June 27, 2024 - It is made from a more refined clay and fired at higher temperatures than ceramic tile, resulting in a denser and less porous material. This makes porcelain tile an excellent choice for high-moisture areas like showers.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/homeimprovement › porcelain vs ceramic tile in the shower?
r/HomeImprovement on Reddit: Porcelain vs Ceramic tile in the shower?
October 8, 2023 -
For some reason I missed the fact that my leading choice of zellige-look tile is ceramic and not porcelain. I thought it was porcelain. So now I’m back to square one of trying to choose a tile! 😩 it’s been the bane of my existance! I’m reading that ceramic isn’t ideal in showers bc it needs to be sealed and can absorb water right? Any tile experts here?
Top answer 1 of 5
2
Porcelain is ceramic. What you want to avoid is porous tiles. Most glazed tiles are suitable for wet areas. More glossy is slippery but that can happen with porcelain, also. Standard wall tile is a bisque body -porous- but is glazed before firing so fine for wet areas. Modern tile bodies are less porous probably, but unless you’re installing outside, no worries. Proper porcelain -and there is improper porcelain- is very low porosity. The body material is fired at a very high heat so it fuses into a glass like state, so suitable for exterior use. There are a number of attractive properties to porcelain; glazed or unglazed, cleft or rough face, matte face, or glossy like marble. It’s also as tough a nails, as in being less vulnerable to scratching. But lower fired, glazed products can look great, too. And unglazed quarry tile has its applications. The original Saltillo tile was one of my fave looks.
2 of 5
1
If they are glossy glazed, you don't want to use ceramic in the shower floor. You can use ceramic depending on what rating it has and application recommendation.
Shower floor tile help: ceramic vs porcelain
Porcelain 100%
More on reddit.com 13
1
March 22, 2021Ceramic vs porcelain tile for a walk in shower- does it matter?
Ceramic tile is garbage, never use ceramic. Think of it this way ceramic tile is made from coarse material like sugar, try to compress a handful of sugar. There are many voids and it will just fall apart, making it weak and brittle.
Porcelain tile is made from fine material, like powdered sugar. Try to compress a handful of powdered sugar and it stays together. Making it very strong.
There is a reason ceramic tile is cheaper, because it is junk!
More on reddit.com 3
1
March 31, 2017Porcelain vs Ceramic tile in the shower?
Porcelain is ceramic. What you want to avoid is porous tiles. Most glazed tiles are suitable for wet areas. More glossy is slippery but that can happen with porcelain, also. Standard wall tile is a bisque body -porous- but is glazed before firing so fine for wet areas. Modern tile bodies are less porous probably, but unless you’re installing outside, no worries. Proper porcelain -and there is improper porcelain- is very low porosity. The body material is fired at a very high heat so it fuses into a glass like state, so suitable for exterior use. There are a number of attractive properties to porcelain; glazed or unglazed, cleft or rough face, matte face, or glossy like marble. It’s also as tough a nails, as in being less vulnerable to scratching. But lower fired, glazed products can look great, too. And unglazed quarry tile has its applications. The original Saltillo tile was one of my fave looks. More on reddit.com
10
2
October 8, 2023Is ceramic tile for showers different than kitchen or other tiles?
Not quite.
Tile for showers has to be resistant to water absorption and it should have a high skid resistance so you don't slip on the wet tile and break something.
If you put "high slip resistance" as your primary requirement, you won't be back here in a couple of months asking what you can do about the shiny tile ice rink in your bath that has left two kids with bleeding head wounds.
https://www.builddirect.com/learning-center/flooring/skid-resistance-tile-flooring/
The websites have more information than you can easily find at the retail places: Do your research online so you can limit the choices to those that say "suitable for wet areas" and with a Coefficient of friction 0.60 or greater (wet).
More on reddit.com 16
14
May 24, 2016Which is better: porcelain or ceramic tile?
Porcelain is denser and more water-resistant than ceramic, making it ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. However, ceramic is less expensive, easier to work with, and available in more colors, so it may be better for other household projects.
thisoldhouse.com
thisoldhouse.com › this old house › flooring
Ceramic vs. Porcelain Tile: Which Is Better?
Which tile is better for kitchen floors: ceramic or porcelain?
Because kitchens are high-traffic areas that are prone to liquid spills, porcelain is a better choice for kitchen floors and countertops. Ceramic tile is a good choice for backsplashes, though, since it’s available in more colors and textures.
thisoldhouse.com
thisoldhouse.com › this old house › flooring
Ceramic vs. Porcelain Tile: Which Is Better?
Are porcelain or ceramic tiles more durable?
In general, porcelain is more durable than ceramic because it’s made of a denser clay and fired at a higher heat. However, this also makes the material more brittle. Ceramic tiles with a PEI rating of 4 or 5 will be nearly as durable as porcelain.
thisoldhouse.com
thisoldhouse.com › this old house › flooring
Ceramic vs. Porcelain Tile: Which Is Better?
Videos
06:02
Difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles explained - YouTube
02:23
Ceramic VS Porcelain Tile-What’s the difference? (Watch before ...
07:27
Porcelain vs Ceramic Bathroom Tiles: What You Need to Know - YouTube
19:12
How to Pick the BEST TILE for Your Bathroom Shower --- Floor and ...
14:18
Avoid These 3 Bathroom Tiles at ALL Costs - YouTube
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › diy projects & ideas › diy workshops › diy workshops
Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tiles - The Home Depot
This makes it more suitable for commercial use as well as in the home. Porcelain tile is nearly impervious to water compared to ceramic tile. According to the ASTM standards, porcelain must have a water absorption rate of 0.5 percent or lower. Consider using shower porcelain tile in your bathroom ...
Published May 16, 2025
The Tile Shop
tileshop.com › home › resources › education & info › porcelain vs ceramic tile: which is better?
Porcelain vs Ceramic Tile: Which is Better? | The Tile Shop
Unfinished ceramic, such as quarry tile, is generally more porous, making it less suitable for high-moisture areas and outdoor environments. However, finished ceramic tiles are not porous, which makes them well suited for bathrooms, showers, ...
Facebook
facebook.com › groups › 914910123318959 › posts › 942266887249949
What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles ...
We cannot provide a description for this page right now
This Old House
thisoldhouse.com › this old house › flooring
Ceramic vs. Porcelain Tile: Which Is Better?
June 9, 2025 - Porcelain tiles are a good option for shower floors and walls due to their excellent water resistance. They can withstand constant moisture exposure without deteriorating or promoting mold growth.
Redblock Industries
redblockindustries.com › home › blog articles › shower remodel › best tile for shower walls – expert tips
Choosing the Best Tile for Shower Walls - Expert Tips
October 12, 2025 - May believe that ceramic is the best for shower walls and for bathroom design, simply because it’s considered a timeless choice. Ceramic tile possess a certain comfort and warmth that porcelain tiled showers do not.
Robbins
robbins.com › home
Porcelain vs Ceramic Tile – 5 Factors to Help You Decide
Conversely, ceramic tile will absorb more water, between 3% and 7%, which limits its use in consistently wet environments. While other factors like traction might come into play in damp areas, porcelain’s impervious nature makes it ideal for water-prone areas like showers.
Amccountertops
amccountertops.com › home › blog › porcelain tiles vs. ceramic tiles: which one is better for shower walls?
Porcelain Tiles vs. Ceramic Tiles: Which One is Better for Shower Walls? - Granite Countertops in Wisconsin | AMC Countertops
June 26, 2025 - What does that mean in practice? Porcelain is more resistant to water, stains, and wear. It has a low water absorption rate (less than 0.5%), which makes it practically impervious to moisture—exactly what you want on a shower wall that’s ...
Westsidetile
westsidetile.com › ceramic-tile-vs-porcelain-tile
Ceramic vs Porcelain Tiles - Pros & Cons : Which One is Right For You?
As we know ceramic is less impenetrable as compared to porcelain, so it’s easier to cut them off. Ceramic tiles are the best option for those customers who want to involve tiles in different shapes and angles and even planks.
Avalon Flooring
avalonflooring.com › blogs › blog › ceramic-vs-porcelain-whats-difference
3 Key Differences Between Porcelain and Ceramic Tile
Additionally, ceramic tiles are more delicate and less porous, meaning they are less waterproof than porcelain tiles, making them less suitable for areas with high moisture, such as bathrooms or basements.
Cletile
cletile.com › blogs › cle-education › porcelain-vs-ceramic-tile-for-shower
porcelain vs ceramic tile in the shower: which is better?
February 12, 2024 - when it comes to durability and strength, porcelain tile has an edge over ceramic tile. thanks to how it’s made, porcelain tile offers even more chip and crack resistance than ceramic tile does, and it holds up to wear and tear beautifully. ...
Green Tile
edwardmartin.com › home › information › information
Ceramic vs. Porcelain Tile: Which Is Right For Your Bathroom?
October 21, 2024 - Porcelain is known for its exceptional durability, often lasting 30 to 50 years without significant signs of wear. Its dense surface stands up well to everyday impact, moisture, and stains, making it ideal for busy areas like bathroom floors ...
Flooring Inc.
flooringinc.com › home › flooring articles › buying guide
Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile: Learn the Difference
January 23, 2025 - For the most part, porcelain and ceramic can be used in the same locations including bathrooms, kitchens, and as floor tile. However, porcelain is impermeable to water and would be better suited for showers and bathtubs.
The Spruce
thespruce.com › porcelain-tile-vs-ceramic-tile-1822583
Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile: How to Choose the Best
September 21, 2024 - Porcelain tile is a dense, smooth-faced, kaolin-rich tile with a lower water absorption rate than ceramic tile, making some porcelain suitable for outdoor use in mild climates. (Look for low-absorption porcelain tile awarded a PTCA Certification ...
Daltile
daltile.com › tile-therapy › articles › ceramic-vs-porcelain-tile-whats-the-difference
Ceramic vs. Porcelain Tile: What’s the Difference?
July 15, 2025 - This makes it denser, harder, and ... wear, and heavy foot traffic. Ideal applications: Porcelain is the go-to choice for floors, outdoor patios, wet zones like showers, and high-traffic commercial spaces....
Houzz
houzz.com › magazine › porcelain-vs-ceramic-tile-a-five-scenario-showdown-stsetivw-vs~68000956
Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile: A Five-Scenario Showdown
This doesn’t necessarily mean that ceramic is a bad choice for bathrooms. In fact, many homeowners install ceramic in their showers and on their bathroom floors. However, porcelain’s impermeability will ensure you have the best protection against moisture. Browse porcelain wall and floor tiles ...
Plumbworld
plumbworld.co.uk › blog › buying guides › ceramic vs porcelain tiles for shower: which is better?
Ceramic vs Porcelain Tiles for Shower: Which is Better?
January 31, 2025 - Porcelain tiles are the better option if you’re looking for tiles that are not only durable but will last you for many years to come. Their dense composition, resistance to stains and scratches, and low rate of water absorption make them an ...
Tiles and Deco
tilesanddeco.com › blogs › news › ceramic-or-porcelain-tile-better-for-a-bathroom-floor
Ceramic Vs Porcelain Tile For Bathroom Floor – Tiles and Deco
October 4, 2024 - Stains Stubbornly: If you look at ceramic vs porcelain tiles for shower, Porcelain is much less permeable to water than ceramics; for this reason, stains from over the dinner table spills are nearly impossible to clean out without using abrasive ...
DIY Home Improvement
diychatroom.com › home › forums › home improvement › remodeling › kitchen & bath remodeling
Ceramic vs. porcelain for shower walls | DIY Home Improvement Forum
September 8, 2022 - And of course you're not going to put that slippery glaze on a floor tile. But it's good for wall tile because it's easier to clean. I much prefer standard ceramic for shower walls.