Natural Stone vs Porcelain Floor Tiles

Nowadays, there is a huge choice of different floor tiles available, but natural stone and porcelain are among the most aesthetically pleasing options. It can be difficult to choose between the two, so we have put together a helpful guide to help you decide.

Durable natural stone has an unrivalled, authentic beauty and injects character and timeless charm into any interior scheme, especially when aged and worn. Natural stone floors often also add value to a property. ‘The variations brought about by Mother Nature have been enjoyed for centuries, offering both opulence in designs as well as being adaptable in use,’ says Chris Elliott, Project Consultant for Artisans of Devizes. ‘Well looked after, a natural stone floor will stand the test of time, having a much lower impact on the environment and carbon footprint when compared to other limited or “throw away” options available in the interiors market.’

Porcelain, on the other hand, is a manmade solution to society’s demands for practical flooring, with a well-designed range of aesthetics available. ‘The choice of a large number of sizes, pattern designs and imitations of natural stone make porcelain a very flexible and often affordable option for most spaces,’ says Chris. In addition, porcelain is very practical as it is nonporous and does not require much in the way of maintenance.

A few years ago, porcelain stone-effect tiles were not particularly realistic. ‘Porcelain as a floor covering product has come on in leaps and bounds in both the quality of the material and the sharpness of the printed designs. The majority of porcelain tiles now look so close to the original stones, it can be difficult to spot if you’re not accustomed to natural stone,’ says Chris.

Cost may be the factor that influences your decision. ‘While not necessarily true of them all, depending on their size and specification, porcelain tiles do tend to be the cheaper of the two material types to buy and fit,’ says Chris. ‘It is worth noting, however, that clients usually buy natural stone once for a particular space, while they may decide to replace porcelain tiles in the future when redecorating. Porcelain tiles are normally cheaper to install as stone tiles require a few extra processes to fit them.’

Natural stone is usually the more expensive option because, as with most materials found in the earth, natural stones are a limited resource. ‘Veins in the earth can change or dry up in time when quarried,’ says Chris. ‘There is labour involved in the quarrying of stone, as well as all the work done by the artisans who apply the finishes and transform the stone into the beautiful tile you have selected. Porcelain tiles, by contrast, are factory-made in batches, which is a cheaper process than that which stone undergoes to acquire its finished design.’

Hardwearing and practical flooring is essential in any home and in this respect both porcelain and natural stone floor tiles have different strengths. ‘Being non porous, porcelain tiles are water and stain resistant without a sealant or maintenance requirement,’ says Chris. ‘However, properly sealed and maintained, natural stone will still provide you with a window of opportunity to clean up any spills before they are able to soak into the material.’

Natural stone tiles have different benefits. ‘Natural stone fairs better with damage or wear and tear than porcelain, particularly with stones of a rustic aesthetic,’ says Chris. ‘Wear and tear generally tends to blend in and look a part of the aesthetic and story of the stone. While it is difficult to chip, crack or scratch a porcelain tile, if you do, it won’t be repairable and will need to be replaced, whereas a stone tile can often be fixed as it can be filled and refinished.

When it comes to maintaining porcelain and natural stone tiles, both are fairly easy to look after, although natural stone does need to be sealed. ‘For both sets of materials we recommend keeping the floor clear of dust or grit with regular vacuuming or sweeping to avoid scratches and other damage,’ says Chris. ‘Specialist cleaners should be used in both cases. Abrasive or harsh cleaning products can damage porcelain or stone (along with the integrity of the sealant in the stone). We have in an in-house brand of cleaning products, Stone Essentials All Clean and Stone Essentials Clean & Sheen for everyday use, but PH neutral cleaning products are also fine for use. I would advise against the use of steam mops when it comes to natural stone.’

Natural stone tiles will require a little more looking after than porcelain tiles because they will eventually need a deep clean (Stone Essentials Deep Clean is a good product to use for this) and should be resealed for maximum protection. ‘There is a misconception that resealing needs to be done every couple of years, but in truth the length of time between each treatment will depend on a number of factors such as use and products used in cleaning. Specialist cleaners will help prolong the period between reseals,’ says Chris. ‘Normally you can test to see if a stone requires resealing by putting a drop of water on it and leaving for approximately five minutes. If the water darkens or leaves a mark, your floor is starting to become more porous and could benefit from a reseal.’

Resealing is a job that can be done by the homeowner and Artisans of Devizes provide a full guide to doing this. If you would rather not do it yourself, Artisans of Devizes can put you in touch with specialists who offer restoration treatment of natural stone.

Both natural stone and porcelain tiles can be used for any area in the house.

‘They are equally viable for use in any space in the house, with choice normally coming down to a combination of the intended use, budget, practicality and desired aesthetic,’ says Chris. ‘Normally in main bathrooms, kitchens or living spaces where the opulence of natural stone can be enjoyed, this is the preferred choice. However, when it comes to families with children or families wanting minimal maintenance or risk of staining, rental properties or tighter budgets, then porcelain tiles become the most appropriate choice. If you are making a decision about bathroom flooring, the floor tiles you choose should carry an appropriate slip rating, which should also be considered when selecting materials for external use, alongside frost resilience.’

Porcelain and natural stone tiles are relatively easy to install. Artisans of Devizes can provide full guides on the installation of each and sealing guides for stone tiles. ‘Most porcelain tiles are easily fitted by tiling contractors, but I would advise sourcing a tiler with experience of fitting natural stone where possible if choosing stone as they will be familiar with the extra processes required for a robust installation,’ says Chris. If you are keen to have warmth underfoot, both natural stone and porcelain tiles can be used with underfloor heating but they need to be installed above a decoupling layer so they don’t move or crack from the stresses of heat difference the underfloor heating system exerts.

Artisans of Devizes has an extensive range of natural stone, from limestone, sandstone and marble, to porcelain and ceramic tiles. Among the most popular limestones in the Artisans of Devizes’ range, both for interior and exterior use, are Buscot, Wychwood and Kimmeridge, which come in a range of finishes. When it comes to marble, Aliseo, with its crystalline structure, soft veining and variety, is very popular, as is Calacatta Oceana Ora, which has almost as many varieties as Aliseo, but its striking gold and emerald veining brings a bold and colourful aesthetic for those who want a change from classic marble. Artisans of Devizes’ most recent product launch includes a new star contender - the Reform Reformed Stone range, which is mostly comprised of recycled stone material and is produced with a minimal carbon footprint. It can be used anywhere in a property.

Among Artisans of Devizes’ porcelain tile collection are a well-curated range of smaller patterned options that can be used in almost any room in the house. The Atlas, Cabana and Vacation ranges, which are perfect for a variety of interior solutions, are very popular, as is a new range called Deck Chair. Among the stone-effect porcelain tiles, Abbotsbury, inspired by classic English limestone, is a sought-after collection as it works well in most interiors. In addition, the Islington (a stone effect range) and Blenheim ranges (which evoke the look of quartzite) are popular - Blenheim has a textured exterior version available, so is perfect for creating seamless inside-out tiling.