FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

We are often asked what is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles?

Both types of tile can be used as wall or floor tiles however, porcelain tiles are often favoured as floor tiles as they are stronger, more hard wearing, moisture and stain resistant making them perfect for high traffic or wet areas.

The main difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles is the clays and raw materials used and firing temperatures. There are two types of porcelain tiles: Through-body and Glazed porcelain.

Through-body porcelain tiles have no glaze and the colour of the tile can be seen all the way through the thickness of the tile. These tiles can have a polished, semi-polished, matt or even slip resistant surface.

Glazed porcelain tiles have an impenetrable, baked on glass-like coating that creates the colour and patterns on the surface of the tile, the colour is not carried though the tile thickness.

So how can you tell if the tile is porcelain or ceramic and which one should I choose?

Porcelain tiles have low water absorption where water will remain on the tile surface for many minutes whereas on a ceramic tile it will be absorbed by the tile within a minute or less.

Porcelain tiles are considerably harder to cut than ceramic. This is readily apparent if you ever go to cut them or drill through them. They are denser and you can often tell from just holding a porcelain tile that it feels heavier than a ceramic of identical size.

Porcelain tiles are usually up to 40% more expensive than comparable ceramic tiles.

Porcelain tiles are often factory cut with lasers after firing to ensure 90-degree edges and near perfect sizing. Ceramic tiles tend to have greater size variance and are not subjected to laser cutting.

So, when it comes to choosing tiles it will depend on what areas you are intending to tile, your budget and taste. Increasingly porcelain is preferred over glazed ceramic for the extra durability and performance it offers throughout all areas.

There is often not much difference however, where floor tiles can be used as wall tiles, not all wall tiles can be used on floors.

Floor tiles are typically a denser, heavier tile designed to withstand high foot traffic and weight such as appliances. They are often more resistant to moisture and stains and can have a slight texture to provide a non-slip surface.

Wall tiles are often thinner and have a smooth or gloss surface and are not recommended underfoot.

You can take the measurements of the space to be tiled to most tile shops and they will calculate this for you, however a good rule of thumb is to allow 20% extra for cuts and waste that occur as part of the installation process. For example, if you are tiling a floor that is 2m x 2m (4m2) then add on at least 0.2m2, so you will want a minimum of 4.2m2.

Many tile shops will only sell you a whole box so you may end up with more than you feel you need, however it is a good idea to keep a few spares stored away somewhere so that if a tile should get damaged you have a replacement available rather than trying to find a match at a later date when designs are often discontinued with changing trends.

Grout lines that have changed colour often have mould growing deep within the grout and unfortunately, there is no miracle product to reverse this. You can scrub away the surface mould and it may look great for a few days, but the mould will eventually grow back.

The best way to minimise this is to remove as much moisture from the area as possible after use. This can include good ventilation and drying the area with a towel or microfibre cloth.

To get the best results from your cleaning products it is essential to leave them on the tile and/or grout surface and allow then to do their job before wiping them off.

Here are our step-by-step recommendations:

Step 1: Generously apply a non-abrasive PH Neutral cleaner to the grout and tiles, leave to dwell for between 5 to 10 minutes, this will allow the cleaner to emulsify and loosen any soap, body fats and oils on your tiles & grout.

Important! Don’t allow the cleaning solution to dry. If it starts to dry apply further solution.

Step2: Using a SOFT bristle brush lightly agitate the cleaner over the surface of the tiles and grout. The main objective of agitation is to ensure the cleaner is well distributed into all the nooks and crannies, not to clean by scrubbing the surface off everything! You will produce a better cleaning result if you let the cleaner do the work rather than harsh scrubbing.

Step 3: This is a very important step. Rinse the surface with CLEAN cool water. Improperly rinsed surfaces can leave detergent residues and attract dirt.

Step 4: Lastly dry the tiles (and grout lines) using a Micro Fibre Cloth or an old towel, this will pick up any dirt residues left on the tile/grout.

Traditionally sand-based grout has been used in all tiled areas. If you are experiencing discolouration in your grout it is likely because it is sand based which is very porous. This allows moisture, dirt and bacteria to penetrate deeply into the grout, undermining the grout and causing mould to grow back to the surface which cleaning alone will not resolve. This deterioration can then cause cracks and holes to appear in your grout which overtime may loosen your tiles as water makes its way underneath them.

Epoxy is a more modern grout that is resin-based. Its benefits are that it won't crack, shrink, or discolour, making it ideal for applying in wet areas, such as showers and outdoor areas. It's also highly resistant to the harsh chemicals found in cleaning products. As an added bonus, unlike traditional cement grout, epoxy grout does not need to be sealed due to its non-porous nature.

These benefits do come at a price. Epoxy grout is a much harder substance to install as it sets quickly and must be applied in small stages with thorough cleaning after application, making it a time-costly process. It also comes with a higher price tag (3-5 times more expensive than sand-based grout) however, the benefits and long-lasting protection of your wet areas make it a wise choice.

Efflorescence is naturally occurring problem caused by oxidised salt from cement-based products such as adhesives and grout. Cement is used as a binding agent and if the salt in the cement is exposed to moisture for continued periods it can migrate to the surface where it oxidises in the air into a white crystalized substance called efflorescence.

This is commonly seen around cracks in concrete paths, or on brick walls, but it is also very common in tiled showers or other tiled wet areas. As these areas are wet much of the time (particularly if they do not drain well) efflorescence may occur as a white stain on the grout or tile, and if not frequently removed can build up into a thick, hard, calcium-like crust that is very difficult to remove.

Many tiled showers these days use cement free tile adhesives and epoxy grout (a resin-based grout that contains no cement). These have no salt in them and so cannot produce efflorescence.

If efflorescence is a problem in your shower or wet tiled area, the only way to solve this is to mechanically remove the cement-based grout (which is likely the main source of the salts) and replace it with epoxy grout. While this removes the main source of salt, there may also be salt in the tile adhesive which can continue to product efflorescence, however this is usually at much lower concentrations.

If left untreated, the salts under the tile can wear away at any waterproof membrane causing severe leaks and damage.

Tiles can become loose, chipped or cracked, sometimes leaving a dangerous sharp edge.

There are a number of options to resolve this, the best result is to replace the damaged tile, so make sure you keep any spares! If spares are not available or a match cannot be found, sometimes it is possible to repair a damaged tile depending on its location and the severity of the damage. Either way, it is a specialist job so make sure you use someone with experience.

At Bathroom Genie, we understand the importance of maintaining pristine tiles and grout for a clean and inviting bathroom. For optimal cleaning results, we recommend using a specialized product combined with good techniques designed to tackle tile and grout cleaning effectively.

One of the top choices is a pH-neutral tile cleaner, which is gentle on your tiles but tough on grime. It's important to avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners, which can over time damage tile surfaces, grout, and silicone seals.

GroutPro's Citrus Eco-Kleen has a powerful cleaning action that removes soap scum, grease and grime. Citrus Eco-Kleen is non-toxic, biodegradable and phosphate free. Being pH-neutral, it contains no solvents, acids or alkalines, and leaves a long-lasting Citrus Lemon Fragrance.

By incorporating this product into your cleaning routine, you can ensure that your bathroom tiles, grout, and seals stay in top condition, maintaining the fresh, clean look that Bathroom Genie strives to deliver in every service we provide.