Black Slate Tiles vs. Porcelain Tiles: Which is Better?

Black slate tiles and porcelain tiles have played a significant role in home improvement as a type of construction materials. However, many people may not know the difference between them. Today, we are going to introduce merits and demerits of black slate tiles and porcelain tiles, respectively. Hope this will help you choose the one that meets your need.

What is Slate Tile?

Slate tile is formed under high temperature and high compression, which has served as roofing since Ancient Egypt. Slate is a type of metamorphic rock, originally made of quartz, granite, and clay. As a kind of unprecedented construction materials, slate tile is newly produced with highly advanced technique.

What is Porcelain Tile?

In general, porcelain tile has a porcelain basement with polished surface. Porcelain tile is a mixture of clay and erinaceous quartz. The procedure of grinding, blending, compressing, glazing, and sintering makes porcelain tile anti-acid and anti-alkali.

Pros and Cons of Black Slate Tiles

Pros:

1. Wear resistance

The Mohs Hardness scale of black slate tile is 6, which illustrates black slate tile is highly tough to protect the surface from knife and nails. Notches and scratches would not emerge on the surface of black slate tile even if it is stricken or scratched by any sharp weapons.

2. Thinness and lightness

Black slate tile is ultrathin and supremely light, which is one third of traditional porcelain tile. The average weight of traditional porcelain tile is 23 to 27kg/㎡. In contrasts, ultrathin black slate tile weighs only 7kg/㎡, making transportation and installation more convenient and labor-saving.

3. Zero penetration

Porcelain tiles on the current market with the supreme quality contain the lowest water absorption of 0.3%. Meanwhile, slate tiles have a lower water absorption of only 0.02%. High density of black slate tile allows zero dirt or stain penetrate into the tiles, making cleaning as simple as removing dirt with water.

4. Heat resistance

Our black slate tile is formed under high temperature and high pressure, which is what makes it anti-heat and anti-compression. Our customers speak highly of black slate tile because it could screen fire from burning or flaming. No fading, smoking or chemicals releasing would occur to black slate tile.

5. Unique style

A style of light luxury designed in a large apartment would be the best fit for black slate tile. Conciseness and elegance bring black slate tile a high popularity all around the world.

Cons:

1. High budget

The thinness and lightness might make black slate tile a little vulnerable during transportation. Consequently, it may be slightly costly for transportation, as well as the rareness of natural raw materials and the advanced technology in production.

2. Repairing difficulty

Black slate tile might have difficulty in replacing and repairing due to its ultra-thinness. Exquisite technique and particular equipment might be both required in replacing and repairing.

Pros and Cons of Black Porcelain Tiles

Pros:

1. Long service life

High density and low water absorption illustrate that porcelain tile could serve for a long term. stains would hardly be visible so that porcelain tile is easy to clean and maintain.

2. Abrasion resistance

Porcelain tile is less likely to emerge scratches on the surface through abrasion. The thickness and toughness of porcelain tile decide that notches and scratches would be easily removed with a piece of cloth.

3. Anti-corrosion

Porcelain tile would not be oxidized even if it is exposed to the sun and rain chronically. Natural aluminum silicate as raw materials of porcelain tile shows the merit of acid and alkali resistance.

4. Unique style

It is very common installing black porcelain tile in bathrooms. Black porcelain tile is able to make the room stylish and bring the whole space a sense of mystery. Black porcelain tile could also bring the living room a feeling of magnetism and majesty.

Cons:

1. Heavy

High density of porcelain tile also shows its demerit, which is its weight. Porcelain tile might weigh more than slate tile does. For this reason, porcelain tile is thicker than black slate tile.

2. Slippery

Since porcelain tile is extremely smooth and glossy, the surface would be slippery. Because porcelain tile has water absorption lower than 1%, buyers should be cautious about liquid on the surface to avoid skid.

Conclusion

Both black slate tile and porcelain tile have their own merits and demerits, respectively. Customers could make their decision in selection based on their various needs in design, space, and function.

Please feel free to contact us at  fspowell@fspowell.com with any questions or concerns for more details. Thank you!