Tile

Porcelain tile

Porcelain tile is a dense, low-porosity ceramic fired at high temperatures. It is chosen for its durability, water resistance, and wide range of surface finishes.

Manufactured globally; major production in Italy, Spain, China, and BrazilFloor · Durable

Porcelain tile in a residential interior (Floor · Durable) — In use — Floor · Durable

Character and behaviour

Available in matte, polished, textured, and stone-look finishes, porcelain suits many interior styles. It is hard underfoot and can feel cold without underfloor heating. Colour and pattern run through the body, so chips are less visible than on glazed surfaces.

Close-up structure and texture of Porcelain tile — Structure and surface detail

Best for

High-traffic floor areas
Wet rooms and bathrooms
Open-plan kitchen and living floors
Outdoor-to-indoor transitions

Avoid for

Spaces where warmth underfoot is a priority
DIY installs with uneven subfloors

Care and maintenance

Sweep regularly and mop with a pH-neutral cleaner. Grout lines need periodic sealing to resist staining; the tile itself requires no sealing.

Guides featuring Porcelain tile

6 minLarge-format porcelain panels — pros and cons
Fewer grout lines and a slab-like look come with real handling and installation trade-offs most homeowners never see before the quote arrives.
8 minPorcelain tile vs natural stone
Porcelain is factory-made, low-porosity, and consistent. Natural stone is geological — unique, porous to varying degrees, and often more expensive to install. Which fits your room?
6 minMicrocement vs tile for bathrooms
Microcement gives a seamless, grout-free bathroom look, but it behaves very differently from tile in wet zones — know the trade-offs before ripping out existing tile.