Porcelain or ceramic tile flooring: Which is best for showers?

Porcelain tiles are the best for showers on both floors and walls. Read more about why this tile flooring material is ideal for this space.

Why porcelain tile?

Porcelain is a ceramic composed of clay, sand, and glass. Kaolin clay is completely non-absorbent, making porcelain especially suitable for high-moisture areas like the shower.

It's so non-absorbent you can even use it outside. Porcelain tiles are excellent for deck and patio floors, as well as poolside.

Porcelain tile flooring is also highly durable

Bathrooms can be high-wear areas. There is a lot of foot traffic and dropped and spilled products and grooming tools.
That fact alone makes it the perfect tile flooring for this room.

Remember, not all tiles are the same

Each tile has a different strength and absorption level. That determines how and where it should be used.

For example, you wouldn’t put a wall tile on a thinner and often more slippery floor. So, do yourself a big favor.

Read labels carefully and describe your remodeling project to a professional. The right or wrong one affects appearance, performance, and longevity, which can last almost 50 years.

Breaking it all down:

We often think of ceramics as 4 X 4 squares, but they can be any size. A ceramic tile is thinner but durable, highly designed, and often glazed.

These are best for indoor, moderately foot-trafficked rooms. You'll also see them on backsplashes and countertops.
Mosaics are tiny, durable, and highly decorated. They're now trending for bathroom floors.

Terracotta bricks are durable and can be used indoors or out. Subway tiles now come in all shapes and sizes; best to keep them on indoor low-traffic floors–or walls.

Tile flooring experts in Cookeville, TN

Family-owned with years of experience–that’s Soco Tile. Our knowledgeable staff will show you some gorgeous wood, stone, and art deco tile flooring from manufacturers like Daltile, American Olean, Anthology Tile, and more.

Visit our showroom in Cookeville, TN. We work on residential and commercial projects of all sizes in Cookeville, Baxter, Algood, Monterey, Sparta, Livingston, and Crossville, TN.