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The Great Debate: Porcelain or Ceramic Tile?

Are you looking to enhance the beauty of your kitchen with tile flooring?  Here are some quick tips to think about before you decide which one is right for you.

The basic differences…

Porcelain Tile   –  Refined and purified, dense; does not require sealing; made up of white clay

Ceramic Tile –  Less dense; may require sealing; made up of red, brown, white clay, sand material and water

When selecting the tile be particular and ask for the PEI factor and the MoH factor.  PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) refers to the tile’s scratch resistance. The amount of resistance depends on where the tile will be used. For example, tile being used for a back splash should have a PEI factor of 1 or 2, whereas tile being used for commercial purposes should have a PEI factor of 4 or 5.

The MoH factor measures how hard or soft a mineral is. The MoH scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 (diamond) being the hardest. Because the majority of the dirt and sand that gets tracked through a home is ranked between 3 and 7, your tile should have a MoH factor of at least 7.

 When you need assistance choosing tile for your next home remodeling project, contact Curio Kitchens & Baths at (413) 783-0913 for our expert advice. We’ll work with you to make sure your kitchen or bathroom project runs smoothly.

 

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