The workhorse of kitchen and bathroom floor surfaces, ceramic tile is called both ceramic and porcelain. The difference of names hinges on water absorption rates. Tile that absorbs water at a slower rate is officially called porcelain, and is best for high-moisture spaces like bathrooms. The kitchen, a place where moisture is definitely present but not in the quantities found in bathrooms, can have tile rated as porcelain or not.

As the name implies, it’s used for walls only. If rated for walls, it cannot be used for floors; however, flooring tile can be used on walls.

Mosaic tiles are typically used for backsplashes and walls. Mosaic tile certainly can be used for floors, but this application isn’t popular because its many grout lines make clean-up harder and it tends to have a “busy” look.

Glazed ceramic flooring tiles have a hard protective top layer that makes the tiles impervious to water and most stains, making them naturally resistant to the ravages of high humidity conditions. This is the main reason why tile is preferred for wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

Ceramic flooring is extremely tough, and the tiles are difficult to crack. A quality installation can last for hundreds of years if the floor is well-maintained. If a single tile does crack due to a severe impact, the process of replacing a tile is relatively simple.

Ceramic flooring is fairly easy to care for. Dirt, stains, and liquids all rest on the surface, allowing you to easily wipe or mop them away. Regular maintenance consists of sweeping or vacuuming with a soft brush attachment to keep the floor free of dirt and loose debris. If set-in stains do occur you can use most heavy duty cleaners without having to worry about damaging the material.