Differences between gres and porcelain tiles

Gres and porcelain: Both materials start from a common base, but differ in raw materials and resistance.

When someone is faced for the first time with the decision to choose tiles for a construction or renovation project, one of the first decisions they have to make is which type of tiles to choose: are we going to use gres or porcelain tiles? The answer, as always, will depend. On the budget, on the material we need, and even on our aesthetic criteria.

To understand whether it is better to choose one material or the other, it is necessary to consider the main differences between them:

Raw materials: The differences start with something as basic as the material from which the tiles are made. Gres floors mainly use less refined red clays than the white clays used in porcelain tiles. The latter are much more purified and refined clays and, as a result, have a much lower water absorption capacity.

Porosity: As a result of the type of clay used in their manufacture, porcelain and gres have a completely different capacity to absorb water. Gres is a much more porous material and therefore absorbs water much more than porcelain, which hardly retains any moisture. Therefore, porcelain tile will be much more suitable for outdoor use, which is much more exposed to inclement weather, than conventional gres.

Resistance: Although both materials are extraordinarily resistant, porcelain tile is a denser and therefore more resistant material. This is why it is especially recommended for exteriors, which are very sensitive to changes in temperature and inclement weather, and for interiors where a lot of people are likely to pass through.

Formats: The size of the pieces is another of the fundamental differences between the two types of material. In general, gres pieces are smaller in size than porcelain pieces. In fact, the possibility of manufacturing really large formats, even over three metres, is one of the latest revolutions in the ceramics industry and comes as a result of improvements in porcelain tile production.

Price: Conventional gres is cheaper than porcelain stoneware and, in fact, its excellent quality-price ratio is still its main competitive advantage. It is difficult to find a more resistant material at a lower cost. However, when we are looking for more features or more design, the choice will be porcelain, even if this means that the cost is also higher. It should not be forgotten that the differences in cost do not only refer to the tiles themselves, but also to the adhesives and materials needed to lay them.

Use: Gres is still a perfect material for wall tilings, as they do not require as much resistance as floor tiles. For an indoor floor of moderate use, we can use either porcelain or gres tiles. However, if the space is going to be used intensively or if it is outdoors, exposed to the sun, cold, frost or rain, it is advisable to use a porcelain floor tile.

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