• Decorative porcelain tile can add to a room's decor."Bathroom Tile" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Joe Shlabotnik (Peter Dutton) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  

Through-Bodied Porcelain Tile

• Through-bodied porcelain tile means that the tile's color composition and texture is uniform throughout the tile, not just along the surface. Tiles are made from a clay, sand and mineral mixture that is shaped and then fired at high temperatures. Through-bodied porcelain tile is extremely strong, durable and able to withstand freezing temperatures. Unless they have a polished finish, these tiles are slip resistant and scratch and chip resistant.
  
  

Through-Bodied Porcelain Tile Uses

• Through-bodied porcelain is ideal for commercial locations because they withstand heavy foot traffic. The color won't fade because there is no glaze and if a tile does chip, the color is the same underneath, making the chip less noticeable. These tiles can also be installed in homes as flooring, on walls or countertops, and in wet locations such as the kitchen or bathroom.
  
  

Glazed Porcelain Tile

• Glazed porcelain tile is made from porcelain (a mixture of clay, sand and minerals), fired in a kiln and has a glazed finish. The glaze is usually tinted and is a glass wear layer (liquid glass) that is baked into the surface and gives the tile its final color. If glaze is then polished, the tile must be sealed after installation to make it non-porous. The glaze finish makes this tile stain resistant and has more color and texture options.
  
  

Glazed Porcelain Tile Uses

• Glazed porcelain tiles are the most common variety chosen by homeowners because of durability and the variety of colors and textures available at tile stores. Glazed tiles can appear glossy or matte and are extremely durable and highly stain-proof. Glazed porcelain tiles can mimic the appearance of natural stones like granite, limestone and slate, as well as metals like aluminum and brass. Some varieties even mimic hardwood. These machine-made tiles come in all shapes and sizes and can be used on the wall, floor or as a countertop.
  
  

Pros of Porcelain Tile

• All types of porcelain tile are more durable and dense than ceramic tile and require less maintenance than natural stone and hardwood. Glazed porcelain tile is more difficult to scratch and stain and resists moisture and frost. Porcelain tile is an attractive option for high-traffic areas and is easy to keep clean. Porcelain tile doesn't need to be polished or waxed and only needs sealing if a polished or unglazed tile was installed. Finally, at a fraction of the cost of natural stone, porcelain tile can imitate this look for less without the headache of maintaining natural stone.