What is porcelain tile?

What this means for your home project

1. Read the manufacturer’s frost-resistance literature for the proposed tile and record whether the product is frost resistant. Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02.
2. Ask for the manufacturer’s stated area of use for the exact tile so the selection matches the intended location. Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02.
3. Request a written mortar specification explaining how its properties match the project requirements. Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02.
4. Ask whether the written scope includes surface-flattening work; TCNA says thinset is not appropriate for adjusting surface level or flatness. Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02.

What is through-body porcelain tile?

Through-body porcelain is unglazed tile whose surface color continues through its thickness. Compare that with a glazed tile, whose surface layer can differ in color from the body underneath. TCNA says the glazed surface is usually resistant enough to abrasion to avoid showing wear in typical applications. “Some people refer to unglazed porcelain tile as “through body” ( i.e., the color on the top goes all the way through).” Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02. “Although the color in the glaze layer may be different from the body, the surface is usually sufficiently resistant to abrasion to not show wear in typical applications.” Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02.

Is porcelain harder to install than ceramic?

Yes. Compared with non-porcelain ceramic tile, porcelain is harder to cut and harder to bond to the floor. Those are concrete installation tasks to discuss in a written scope; TCNA says using the right materials is what matters to the end user. “In general, non-porcelain tiles are easier to bond to the floor and usually easier to cut.” Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02. “Porcelain tiles are harder to bond and harder to cut.” Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02. “While this can be relevant to the tile installer, it generally makes little difference to the end-user, so long as the installer uses the right materials.” Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02.

Is porcelain tile the only tile rated for exterior applications?

No. Non-porcelain quarry tiles and other tiles can also carry exterior-use ratings. Treat the manufacturer’s stated area of use as the selection check for a specific product, rather than assuming that every porcelain tile belongs outdoors. “Many non-porcelain quarry tiles and others are rated for exterior applications.” Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02. “Always check with the manufacturer for “area of use” for a specific product.” Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02.

If the tile is sitting in water due to poor drainage conditions or typical winter icing, will these frost resistant/frost proof tiles perform adequately?

Frost resistance does not eliminate damage from standing water and ice. TCNA warns that even tiles capable of more than 2000 freeze-and-thaw cycles can suffer damage when water reaches grout joints or gaps in the setting bed, the material supporting the tile. “It is very common for frost resistant tiles (including tiles that can cycle more than 2000 times through freeze/thaw conditions) to be damaged by water and ice that sits on the tile when the water can get in the grout joints or in voids left in the setting bed.” Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02.

What kind of adhesive do you use for Porcelain Tile?

For a thinset installation, choose the mortar properties to match the project requirements. Thinset is the cement-based layer bonding tile to its supporting surface; polymer-modified versions contain additives that can improve adhesion or flexibility. Ask the installer to identify the proposed mortar and explain the match, rather than choosing from the porcelain label alone. “Tile set by the thinset method is adhered to the substrate with a thin layer of “thinset” cement.” Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02. “The use of these polymers allows specific properties to be imparted to the cement; commonly, freeze/thaw resistance, improved flexibility, and improved adhesion.” Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02. “Also, there are many types of polymer-modified thinsets on the market allowing the specifier the opportunity to match the thinset properties with the project requirements.” Source: Tile Council of North America, read 2026-11-02.

Sources

• Porcelain vs. Non-Porcelain — Tile Council of North America; read 2026-11-02.
• Frost Resistance — Tile Council of North America; read 2026-11-02.
• Dryset Mortar — Tile Council of North America; read 2026-11-02.