Ceramic or non-porcelain tiles are frequently referred to as ceramic tiles by themselves, separate from porcelain tiles. They are almost always finished with a durable glaze which carries the color and pattern. These tiles are used in both wall tile and floor tile applications, are softer and easier to cut than porcelain, and usually carry a PEI 0 to 3 rating. Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are usually suitable for very light to moderate traffic and generally have a relatively high water absorption rating making them less frost resistant and they are more prone to wear and chipping than porcelain tiles.

Porcelain tile is generally made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clays which result in a tile that is dense, and fine grained. Porcelain tiles are required to have less than 0.5% absorption rate, although most of the Porcelain tiles made by Porcelanosa have less than 0.2% water absorption). For that reason, porcelain tiles are frost resistant. Both glazed and non-glazed porcelain tiles are harder and more wear / damage resistant than non-porcelain ceramic tiles, making them suitable for any application from light traffic to the heaviest residential and light commercial traffic. Full body porcelain tiles carry the color and pattern through the entire thickness of the tile making them virtually impervious to wear and are suitable for any application from residential to the highest traffic commercial or industrial applications. Porcelain tiles are available in matte, unglazed or a high polished finish.