Composition

Sintered stone is made by compacting natural minerals such as quartz, feldspar, silica, under high temperature and pressure. This sintering process creates a dense, durable and non-porous material with a uniform composition throughout.

Porcelain tiles are made from a mixture of clay, quartz and other natural materials that are fired at high temperature. This process creates a material that is also very strong and durable, but it is not as dense as sintered stone. Porcelain tiles are also more porous than sintered stone.

Production Process

High heat and pressure applied without a liquid phase to compact materials.

Traditional ceramic process: shaping, drying, firing, and glazing.

Density and Porosity

Lower porosity and higher density, making it more resistant to stains, scratches, and wear.

Dense and low porosity, but may be less resistant to wear compared to sintered stone.

Thickness

Available in larger format slabs and varying thicknesses.

Typically thinner and in standard tile sizes.

Applications

Suitable for kitchen countertops, flooring, wall cladding, and exterior applications.

Commonly used for flooring, walls, and backsplashes; less suitable for heavy-duty applications like countertops.

Water Resistance

Non-porous structure with 0.02% water absorption, making it highly water-resistant.

Less porous with about 0.5% water absorption.

Production Standards

Higher production standards result in a harder, denser material (7-8 on Mohs scale). Achieves Class A fire rating and remains unaffected by high temperatures, suitable for cooking applications.

Porcelain lacks the same hardness and density, and does not achieve similar fire ratings or resistance to high temperatures.