Tile terminology can be confusing. Most types of tiles that are made from clay or a mixture of clay and other materials, then kiln-fired, are considered to be a part of the larger classification called “Ceramic Tiles”. These tiles can be split into two groups, porcelain tiles and non-porcelain tiles. These non-porcelain tiles are frequently referred to as ceramic tiles by themselves, separate from porcelain tiles.

“Ceramic” or non-porcelain tiles are generally made from red or white clay fired in a kiln. They are almost always finished with a durable glaze which carries the color and pattern. These tiles are used in both wall tile and floor tile applications, are softer and easier to cut than porcelain, and usually carry a PEI 0 to 3 rating. Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are usually suitable for very light to moderate traffic and generally have a relatively high water absorption rating making them less frost resistant and they are more prone to wear and chipping than porcelain tiles.

Porcelain tile is a tile that is generally made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clays which result in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth, with a sharply formed face. Porcelain tiles usually have a much lower water absorption rate (less than 0.5%) than non-porcelain tiles making them frost resistant or frost-proof. Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and more wear and damage resistant than non-porcelain ceramic tiles, making them suitable for any application from light traffic to the heaviest residential and light commercial traffic. Full body porcelain tiles carry the color and pattern through the entire thickness of the tile making them virtually impervious to wear and are suitable for any application from residential to the highest traffic commercial or industrial applications. Porcelain tiles are available in matte, unglazed or a high polished finish.

Apart from our saltillo (clay) tile BuildDirect chooses to offer our customers only the highest quality glazed and full body porcelain tiles to ensure years of worry free use, at prices comparable to or less than non-porcelain ceramic tiles.

Porcelain Floor Tiles
These are further divided into three categories-natural porcelain tile, polished porcelain tile and glazed porcelain tile. Porcelain tiles are generally made by with the dust pressed method from porcelain clay. This gives us a fine grained, smooth and dense tile. These tiles have an absorption rate of .5% or even less. This is what makes them frost resistant. Porcelain tiles are also available in an unglazed, matte or a very highly polished finish.

What is a Natural Porcelain Tile?
This is a kind of tile that is unglazed and unpolished. Comprising of only natural porcelain, they have an absorption rate of less than 1%. The absorption rate has no connection with the surface of the tile. These are also known as ‘through body’ porcelain. They are sometimes treated with soluble salts or they can even comprise of a different face or a different body. This is known as being double loaded. This means that the top half of the tile in terms of design and texture varies from the bottom half of the tile.

What is a Glazed Porcelain Tile?
These can be partially or completely glazed. This can be altered in the manufacturing process. Most of the glazed porcelain tiles have an absorption rate of .5%. But the absorption can be under .1% if the clay body of the tile is used on the face of the tile. The interesting factor about porcelain tiles is that, it can even be polished.

What is a Polished Porcelain Tile?
In this case, when you mention a polished porcelain tile, it means that it comes close to the granite finish. The surface of the tile is not actually glaze. These actually comprise of natural porcelain that have a polished exterior. One has to employ certain methods to increase the resistance of such tiles. The process of polishing tends to open the pores of the tile. Therefore, whilst grouting of the tile, one must ensure that a certain sealer is applied to the polished tile. This would increase its resistance against staining.

Benefits of Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain Tiles can have certain advantages when it is used in home improvements. A few are listed below-

• Porcelain tiles are very much resistant to tremendous wear and tear. This is because it has a hard, durable surface and the durability of the porcelain tile can be seen in most malls and places that have a high traffic of shoppers at all times.
• Porcelain tiles are ideal for the kitchen, which needs a lot of cleaning at all times. These can resist strong chemicals and acids and therefore are easier to clean.
• Natural porcelain tiles are chip resistant. Besides, if the situation does arise that the tile does chip, you need not be worried. The chipped portion can never be seen too easily as it is of the same color of the tile.

Porcelain tiles have seen a meteoric rise in the tile industry and also when it comes to home interiors. The past few years have witnessed many techniques and methods that been devised to create new patterns, textures and such additional elements for these tiles. Glazed porcelain tiles offer one the option of creating limitless designs and colors. Sometimes, these glaze effects can cause a few changes in the constituency of the tile. It may make the tile lose its resistance to certain chemicals.

The particular characteristics of the tile dictate the kind of use it would hold for the designer who is planning to use it his/her home interior designs. One has to know the performance, maintenance, the aesthetics and the budget for the appropriate use of the tile.

You can reach Morbi by road from Rajkot within 1 and half hours only. There are buses available run by Gujarat State Road Transport Corporations and also by private travel companies. The nearest railway station is Wankaner from where you can get trains to reach many major cities of Gujarat and even of Maharashtra and few other states. Nearest Airport to reach Morbi is around 67 km away in Rajkot and 247 km away in Ahmedabad. Indian Airlines run regular flights from Mumbai to Rajkot.