Where porcelain wins
Floors, wet rooms and shower areas. Low water absorption means it is unaffected by constant wetting and it will not craze or stain the way softer bodies can.
Large formats. Porcelain's strength is what makes 600x1200 and larger panels viable.
Outdoor thresholds and any area subject to frost, where a water-absorbing body would fail.
Where ceramic is the sensible choice
Wall tiling outside the direct shower zone, where its lighter weight and easier cutting reduce labour and it performs perfectly well.
Decorative and patterned ranges, where the design you actually want simply exists in ceramic and not in porcelain.
Budget-sensitive projects such as rental refurbishments, where the money is better spent on a porcelain floor and a ceramic wall than on porcelain everywhere.
What it means for labour and cost
Porcelain is slower to cut and drill and needs better blades, so labour is marginally higher. Large-format porcelain is meaningfully slower again because of handling, back-buttering and levelling.
Material cost overlaps heavily between the two ranges, so the choice is rarely decided by price alone. The specification decision should be led by where the tile is going.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use ceramic tiles in a shower?
On walls with correct waterproofing behind, generally yes. On a wet room floor or a shower floor, porcelain is the right call.
Is porcelain harder to drill for fittings?
Yes, it needs diamond bits and patience. It is a normal part of the job, not an extra.
Do porcelain tiles need sealing?
Glazed porcelain does not. Unglazed and polished bodies sometimes benefit from a sealer, and natural stone always does.
Which is better for underfloor heating?
Porcelain, because of its density and heat conduction, combined with a flexible adhesive and grout.
Next step
Bring us your tile choice and we will tell you honestly whether it suits where you want it.
Free quote • No pressure • Fast response