Porcelain Tile – The Everyday, Everywhere Solution
May 7, 2025
Wouldn’t having a surfacing solution that can do it all be awesome? It would stand up to daily wear, offer incredible design flexibility, and capture the look of other materials but with better performance.
Well, that solution exists—porcelain tile. More homeowners are choosing porcelain tile for their homes, both inside and out.
Porcelain tile is durable and versatile, adding a touch of elegance to spaces. It’s also virtually waterproof, making it ideal for wet environments, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor patios. That makes its applications endless—walls, outdoor spaces, showers, countertops, backsplashes, and beyond. Yes, porcelain tile is also excellent for flooring.
What is Porcelain Tile?
Porcelain is a type of ceramic tile, but it’s denser, less porous, and far more durable. It’s made from refined clay and fired at high temperatures, making it harder and more moisture-resistant than standard ceramic. This also means it performs just as well in high-traffic areas as wet zones like bathrooms and kitchens.
Is Porcelain Tile Waterproof?
Yes — porcelain tile is virtually waterproof. Its dense structure and low absorption rate make it one of the best materials for wet and moisture-prone areas.
Porcelain absorbs less than 0.5% of water, which qualifies it as impervious under standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM C373).
In comparison, ceramic tile absorbs between 3% and 7% of water, making it far more vulnerable to water damage.
That means porcelain tile is safe for showers, pool sides, laundry rooms, outdoor patios, and anywhere else moisture is a factor.
This level of water resistance doesn’t just prevent damage — it helps avoid mold, mildew, and long-term staining caused by trapped moisture.
Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile
Speaking of ceramic tile, homeowners often group porcelain and it together for good reason. After all, they’re both made from clay and hardened in a kiln. However, for performance and versatility, porcelain tile stands alone in the battle against ceramics.
Here’s how they stack up:
- Density: Manufacturers fire porcelain at higher temperatures, making it denser and more durable than standard ceramic.
- Durability: Porcelain resists chips, cracks, and heavy wear better than ceramic. So, it can handle high-traffic areas when used as flooring.
- Design: Both come in various styles, but porcelain tile is often available in large formats. It can better mimic the look of stone, wood, and concrete.
- Uses: Ceramic works well on walls and low-traffic indoor floors. However, porcelain tile can also be used on walls, floors, exteriors, and commercial settings.
Bottom line: Ceramic is a good choice for light-duty indoor projects. But for long-term durability, water resistance, and a broader range of applications, porcelain tile is the smarter investment.
Porcelain Tile Lasts and Lasts
One of the most significant advantages of porcelain tile is how well it holds up over time. Unlike some surfaces, porcelain keeps performing, unlike some that need refinishing, sealing, or replacing every few years. You can count on it to look good for decades.
Here’s why it’s so dependable:
- Resists wear in high-traffic areas without fading or surface damage
- Won’t warp, swell, or degrade when exposed to moisture
- Color and pattern go through the tile (for through-body porcelain), so chips are less noticeable
- Holds up to everyday life: pets, kids, spills, furniture, and even seasonal weather when used outdoors
Porcelain is a long-term solution indoors and out for homeowners who don’t want to redo their surfaces every 5–10 years. With proper maintenance, porcelain tile can last 50 years or more.
Where Porcelain Tile Works
What is the real advantage of porcelain? You’re not limited to just porcelain tile floor applications. As a tile option, porcelain shines in both residential and commercial settings across a wide range of surfaces:
- Floors and Walls: Use the same tile across surfaces to create visual continuity.
- Backsplashes: Porcelain backsplash tile resists stains and heat, perfect for kitchens.
- Showers and Bathrooms: Water resistance plus style.
- Fireplace Surrounds: Heat-resistant and dramatic with the right tile designs.
- Outdoor Spaces: Patios, walkways, or vertical wall coverings with outdoor porcelain tile built to handle the elements.
Porcelain Tile – An Everyday, Everywhere Solution
Porcelain tile stands out as the wise, long-term choice for surfaces that truly deliver. It is waterproof, low-maintenance, and rugged enough for busy households. It works in every room—floors, walls, backsplashes, bathrooms, patios, and more.
Robbins® now offers stylish porcelain tile collections featuring stone, marble, and wood looks. Many are made in the USA. They elevate everyday practicality with design-driven styles, modern formats, and surfaces built to last. You can choose from smaller and larger formats to fit your precise needs.
From porcelain tile entryways to a kitchen backsplash or indoor-outdoor porcelain tiles on the patio, Robbins has the selection and sizing to create your perfect space.
Porcelain tile. Everyday. Everywhere.