Durability and a less than 0.5% water absorption level are the two main ways porcelain differs from ceramic tiles, and it's as stylish as it is hard-wearing. When you walk into our tile store, you'll see an almost unlimited number of colors, shapes, sizes, and designs of both porcelain and ceramic.

Porcelain: ideal for heavily trafficked floors

Porcelain is available in countless colors and designs; in fact, it is often preferred by the customers in our tile shop when they want wood and stone looks. But, of course, if you want fabric, leather, or anything else, you can get that too.

The construction of this floor tile is different from that of ceramic. It is made up of non-porous clay with sand and glass and fired at a higher temperature than ceramics. This results in a heavier, denser floor that is entirely waterproof whether or not it's glazed, making it the ideal tile flooring for kitchens, baths, laundry rooms, hallways, and, basically, any room. However, it can also be used on walls and tub/shower surrounds and patio, deck, and pool floors.

Ceramics: Different types for different installations

We're all familiar with those glazed squares that we see on walls, backsplashes, counters, and indoor moderately foot trafficked rooms. They're highly designed and thinner but durable, especially with the glazing that gives it waterproof capabilities and a hard outer shell.

Other ceramics include mosaics, the tiny (sometimes as small as 1 X 1), durable, decorative, and often glass-coated pieces. Often used as accents, they are now popular for bathroom floors for their style, mold and mildew resistance, and texture.

Terracotta bricks, until recently, were used primarily for outdoor use, but these ultra-durable tiles are making a big comeback inside. Their beautiful reddish-down color creates a stunning design statement, especially in rustic decors. In addition, they are absorbent, so ask about sealing.

While most of us know subway tiles as the formerly white rectangles seen on backsplashes, they now come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. They can be used on floors, as long as they're indoor, low-traffic areas.

At Schindler Carpet and Floors, you'll see a complete tile flooring inventory from brands such as American Olean, Daltile, Marazzi, Emser, and more. Come into our showrooms in Lindale, Forney, or Tyler, TX, explore and get a free quote. We service the entire Dallas area.