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What is Porcelain & Ceramic Tile Flooring?

Porcelain and ceramic tile have long been sought-after flooring materials, thanks to their combination of durability and elegant style. But although it has a storied past, tile flooring is not a relic of yesteryear. Today’s porcelain and ceramic floor tiles feature modern looks, are durable enough to withstand life in a busy household, and can be installed in any part of the home.

answering what is Porcelain & Ceramic Tile Flooring?
  • Naturally resistant to moisture and easy to clean
  • Available with a variety of surface designs, including those that mimic the look of tiles or wood planks
  • Does not hold or produce allergens, making it great for homes where air quality is of the utmost importance

Shop Porcelain & Ceramic Tile Flooring by Style or Color

One of the great benefits of tile flooring is the wealth of style options it affords. From the basic white subway tiles to ornate designs inspired by traditional artwork, there’s little limit to what’s possible when crafting ceramic or porcelain tiles. Some of the most popular models are tiles that look like wood or real stone. All of these design options give you nearly endless possibilities when revamping a room.

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Why Should You Choose Porcelain & Ceramic Tile Flooring?

The myriad flooring choices on the market today can make it extremely difficult to confidently choose the best product for your needs. So why should you choose tile? The main reason that many customers opt for ceramic or porcelain tile is that these products carry a certain intangible quality that usually isn’t found in a composite material. From the elegant, old-world designs to the solid, natural feel underfoot, natural tile floors bring a certain gravity to any household. A tile floor makes any room feel more polished and upscale.

But there are plenty of practical considerations. The hard surface of a tile floor is relatively easy to maintain and keep clean. If you’ve ever visited a tropical locale, you may have noticed that porcelain and ceramic tile are the most popular flooring choices. The reason for this is usually twofold: first, tile floors tend to help a home feel cooler. Taking barefoot steps on a cool tile floor can be quite refreshing when it’s hot and humid outside. Secondly, tile floors are water-resistant and not adversely affected by high moisture. This comes in handy when you might have people stepping right from the pool or beach into your home, or when it is extremely humid for extended periods of time. Plus, tile floors will not absorb or produce any types of allergens, making them a great choice for those who value having the best indoor air quality.

Porcelain & Ceramic Tile Flooring features

Beautiful, durable, and practical—tile flooring’s impressive features mean you don’t have to make compromises with your kitchen or bathroom floors.

  • Natural water resistance makes porcelain or ceramic tiles perfect for rooms that regularly deal with moisture or condensation
  • Many neutral styles make tile a floor you can constantly redesign your home around
  • Tough surface glazing helps resist against scratches and scuffs
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How Empire Today® Makes It Easy

  • Schedule a Free Estimate

    Click here or call 888-717-1726 and pick a convenient time. Same-day appointments are available.

  • In-Home Consultation

    A flooring professional will bring samples to your home, help you pick the right floors, measure your rooms, and give you an all-inclusive price estimate.

  • Professional Installation

    Professional installers will move your furniture, remove and haul away your old floor, install your new flooring, and clean up when they’re finished.

More than 3 Million Satisfied Customers and Counting

Porcelain & Ceramic Tile Flooring FAQs

Yes! Although quite similar, there are a few minor differences between porcelain and ceramic tile. The main one is that porcelain tile is a slightly more robust material, making it a bit more resistant to moisture and little better at resisting chips and scratches than ceramic tile. However, ceramic is still a highly durable material and both types of tile offer a wealth of design options and can be installed in the same settings.

Tile floors generally don’t require any more maintenance than other hard surface floors. Dry dirt and debris can be swept away or cleaned with a damp microfiber sweeper, while spills and stubborn stains can be wet mopped. However, tile grout is a porous material and will need to be sealed—and periodically resealed—to keep it from getting stained.

While ceramic and porcelain tile floors used to be reserved for use mainly in kitchens and bathrooms, today it’s common to see tile installed throughout a home. Because they’re easy to keep clean and add a touch of class to any design scheme, tile floors are popular in mud rooms, living rooms, and especially in finished basements.

Of all flooring materials on the market, porcelain and ceramic are generally considered the most difficult to install properly. They require specialized tools, extensive knowledge of different mortars and adhesives, and an artisan’s touch to ensure your floors come out looking their best. That’s why it’s important to trust professional tile installers, like those you’ll find when you contact Empire.

Empire is proud to offer tile installation services to customers in more than 70 markets across the US.

Empire’s goal is to get our customers new floors they’ll love, as easily and quickly as possible. If the tile you choose is in stock at the nearest warehouse, we can often begin installing new tile floors as soon as the Next Day after you choose a product.

Ready to Take the First Step Toward New Tile Installation?

All home improvement projects can feel like huge commitments, and having tile installed is no exception. In fact, because it’s such a robust flooring material and feels like it can last forever, many customers find it extra difficult to choose new ceramic tile. We understand the apprehension, and that’s why we’re here to make the tile shopping process as easy as possible—from helping you understand the basics, like the difference between porcelain and ceramic tile, to ensuring that the tile floor installation itself is as unintrusive as possible.

If you’re ready to begin the process, click any of the “Schedule Now” buttons on this page, or call us at 800-588-2300 to schedule your in-home consultation. During this free, no-obligation appointment, a flooring professional will bring samples of our entire tile inventory right to your home. They’ll learn about your needs, teach you about the various products, and help you decide what flooring will serve you best. And once you’ve decided on the ceramic or porcelain tile that’s right for your home, we can often schedule the installation for as soon as the following day.

Wondering how new floors will look in your home? Try on floors in your exact room.

  • 1 Snap a Pic Upload a photo of your room, or find one of our pictures you like.
  • 2 Choose a Floor Browse and sort by color, type, and more to find a floor that fits your style.
  • 3 See it in Your Room See how the floor looks in your space. You can even save it or share it.
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