Porcelain Stone-Effect Floor Tiles Vs Natural Stone

Choosing floor tiles for your home poses numerous challenges. Not only do you have to grapple with your own personal style, but you also need to think about the cost, durability and practicality of the floor tiles you choose.

If you’re considering natural stone flooring ideas, you may be wondering whether to go for porcelain stone-effect tiles or the real deal. Well, don’t fret. We’re here to help you weigh up the pros and cons of both materials so you can make an informed decision that suits you. 

Whether you’re looking for robust kitchen floor tiles for a busy family home or luxury bathroom stone tile ideas for an en suite, we’ll help you find the perfect option to suit any space.

The price comparison

Let’s start with the price comparison, given that cost is typically one of the main deciding factors.

Natural stone: the availability and labour of quarrying natural stone makes this a more expensive choice overall. This also applies to installation, as natural stone tiles can be trickier to install – meaning greater labour costs. However, as a long-term investment, natural stone can help to retain and add value to your property.

Porcelain: in contrast, porcelain stone-effect tiles are considerably cheaper to mass produce and require no specialist installation techniques. This means they can offer a cost-effective alternative to real stone that’s equally durable.

Aesthetic appeal

Next up, let’s explore the aesthetic perks both materials bring to the table. 

Natural stone: natural stone delivers unparalleled beauty and texture as a flooring material. Plus, as a completely organic material, no two pieces are the same – giving you a one-of-a-kind interior. However, there are limitations to the range of colours and patterns available with natural stone tiles.

Porcelain: with ultra-realistic designs, modern porcelain stone-effect tiles expertly mimic the natural grains, tones and textures of real stone to the untrained eye – meaning even you’ll struggle to tell the difference. As a manmade tile, porcelain also offers a broader selection of colours and patterns, which can be a big plus point if you have a specific aesthetic or colour in mind.

Water resistance

From a practical point of view, the waterproofing properties of each tile matters – particularly if you’re planning on installing them in wet areas like the bathroom or kitchen. So, let’s take a look at what each material delivers on the water resistance front.

Natural stone: natural stone tiles come in various guises, with some materials like granite being more water-resistant than softer stones like travertine and marble. Whichever natural stone tiles you choose, though, the natural defects and porous properties will mean they need to be sealed to avoid water absorption and staining.

Porcelain: with porcelain, you can enjoy a hard, dense tile with incredibly low absorption levels – making it virtually waterproof. These tiles also come with a robust glazed finish that’s impenetrable to moisture, meaning they will retain their good looks whatever liquid gets thrown their way. These properties make them an ideal choice for floors in areas where there’s a high risk of coming into contact with water.

Durability and maintenance

Finally, we need to look at the durability and maintenance of both materials.

Natural stone: there’s no doubt that natural stone tiles are hardwearing and robust – after all, they effortlessly withstand the elements in the wild. However, this doesn’t mean they’re a foolproof option for long-lasting flooring ideas. Regardless of the type of natural stone you use, they’ll need to be regularly sealed to prolong their lifespan – adding to their upkeep. The frequency and type of treatment will depend on the type of stone, tile finish (polished or natural) and where it’s installed, as areas of high traffic will understandably wear more quickly.

Porcelain: porcelain stone-effect tiles boast exceptional strength and durability, giving you a scratch, stain and impact-resistant floor covering. Unlike real natural stone flooring, they don’t require any special maintenance other than regular sweeping and mopping with standard cleaning solutions. So, if you want a hassle-free tile that looks as good as the real thing, stone-effect porcelain tiles are the way forward – offering the best of both worlds.

Your stone tile options

If you’re wondering what your options are when it comes to natural stone and porcelain stone-look tiles, here’s a sneak peak at the different options we have in stock to give you some natural stone flooring ideas:

• Travertine
• Slate
• Marble
• Onyx
• Granite
• Sandstone
• Quartz 

Deciding on which is the best option for you is a personal choice but, with the above information, hopefully it’ll be an easier decision to make with all the facts in front of you. 

If you’re ready to start choosing your stone floor tiles, explore all of your options within our natural stone tiles collection and our porcelain floor tiles range. And if you need any more tiling style inspiration or expert advice, our interior design blog is the place to be.