Porcelain tiles are among the best tiles you can buy at the current moment. Why do people generally prefer them to other tiles such as marble for instance. Though marble might be a better looking tile, the porcelain tiles being made these days are very aesthetically pleasing. So what is it about porcelain that keeps it among the best types of tiles to buy?

First of all – tiles that crack are not liked. The sheer amount of effort and money that goes into laying tiles onto a floor is such that if the tiles are likely to crack then they are worthless no matter how nice they look. Porcelain tiles are generally considered the strongest type of tile available, Not only this, but they are also super absorbent, so they are equally adept at being put in bathrooms as they are in kitchens and living rooms.

The method used to make porcelain originated in China and is to this day colloquially referred to as “china” in English speaking countries. Porcelain is made from various clays and heated in a kiln at temperatures between 1200° and 1400° Celcius. The amazing strength and toughness of porcelain is derived from the formation of glass and a certain mineral called mullite during the firing process. Mullite is a rare silicate mineral of post-clay genesis that is also used as a refractory (an apparatus to heat chemical compounds – it has immense durability).

Porcelain tiles are also considerably prized for their beauty. The same reason people hold plates and figures made from porcelain in high regard makes porcelain a wonderful material for tiles. They illuminate any room with the faint translucence that is also derived the glass and mullite formed during the firing process.

Porcelain's extremely high resistance to electricity make it a far safer option to put in a dangerous area than any other ceramic material. Having this kind of security at home can only do wonders for the feeling of complete security that people demand form their homes.

Another propety of porcelain is it's resistance to chemical attack, thermal shock and high absorbency. Water does not stain it and the tough chemicals used in cleaning agents do not corrode the porcelain floor tile as they do other, cheaper and inferior types of ceramic. It is a favorite in the use of kitchens for this reason and this reason only. Stained tiles can distract form the overall beauty of a bathroom, but there is very little chance of porcelain staining – though it is not unheard of. It is also the best tile to use in locations with extreme temperatures. Porcelain floor tiles are just that strong.

The fact remains that if you are looking for the best then porcelain is the way to go. Even if you do need to pay that little bit extra to get it in the first place, the minimal lifetime costs of maintaining porcelain tiles more than make up for it.