Living Room Flooring- Ceramic Or Homogenous

[prettyinpink 0]

I've heard from some forummers that ceramic tiles seems to last better than homogenous tiles. I've also seen that homogenous tiles may loose it's gloss over time and ceramic tiles stay almost the same say even after 10 years. Hence i am inclined to use ceramic tiles for my new home.

However, i've heard that ceramic chip easier than homogenous tiles.

As the occupants in my home esp my maid and children are prone to dropping their keys and toy-throwing, based on your experience have you ever come across any chipping on your ceramic or homogenous tiles after these incidences? My current tiles are marble and they seem to withstand these abuses pretty well but marble is exp.

[watchthewaves 0]

The different materials have different characteristics and therefore different advantages. Ceramic tiles are harder than marble, and in turn, homogenous or porcelain tiles (they are actually a special type of ceramic tile) are harder than ceramic tiles. Hardness would mean harder to scratch or chip. But does not mean more difficult to crack though.

But you should also bear in mind not just whether it chips or not, but how it looks after it chips. Marble has patterns and the pattern runs throughout the body. So chips and scratches may not be so obvious, and you can also grind/polish if you wish. If you use ceramic or homogenous tiles that have a uniform look, the chips and scratches, when they occur, may be more obvious than on marble. Especially ceramic tiles because it is not homogenous, so the colour under the top layer may be very obviously seen when there are chips.

As for homogenous tiles losing their gloss faster than ceramic tiles, I doubt so. I think that's the nature or quality of the glazing, not because the tile is ceramic or homogenous.

Just my 2cents.

Edited August 31, 2010 by watchthewaves

[kuku 0]

homogenous tiles 600x600 voted

[prettyinpink 0]

homogenous tiles 600x600 voted

Thanks for your suggestion, i will seriously consider this, however, what about homogenous 800X800 ?

[hihihi 0]

ceramic tiles for toilet and kitchen is still fine, but for living and room is abit too old fashioned. 600x600 is the standard now.

homo tiles are harder than ceramic.

800x800:

- more ex than 600x600 psf

- more difficult to lay, need more skills partly coz it's freaking heavy.