By Pepe Tile Installation

04/10/2011 If you are looking for a tile that is more durable than ceramic and you don't mind paying a little more,then porcelain tile is the way to go.Most porcelain tiles have a hardness rating of 4 or 5 which means they can stand up to any type of residetial traffic.
Porcelain tiles can be made to look like marble or natural stone with the advantage of less maintenance.The tiles themselves do not need to be sealed,but natural stone and unfinished marble need to be sealed periodically.
Porcelain comes in two types:Glazed porcelain,where there is a glazed surface on the tile that is usually a different color than the backing,and solid porcelain,where the color is consistent all the way through the tile.The advantage of solid porcelain is that it does not show signs of wear.
Most porcelain tiles require a standard grout joint that uses sanded grout.However,porcelain tiles that resemble marble have a square edge and they are installed with a small grout joint like marble and require non sanded grout.
Overall,porcelain is extremely durable and low maintenance.(Only the grout needs to be sealed)Investing in porcelain tile for your home should be considered a lifetime investment.