Porcelain is shiny and therefore needs more work to maintain. That's why I went with ceramic. And why is ceramic less durable? Any ceramic tiles I've ever had have never suffered any damage, or even wear-and-tear.
Hi Satine,
Firstly, porcelain comes in Glazed, Polished & Matt finishes therefore not all porcelain tiles have a shiny surface.
However, my experience is that the breakdown of sales is 70% glazed/polished - 30% matt.
Again, it is not my experience that porcelain requires any more work to maintain (I have all mixtures in my house & "yes" I do my fair share ;0) ).
Porcelain is just a much stronger tile and in higher through-put areas such as halls and kitchens, I recommend it.
Then when moving to the bathrooms find a tile you like and if it fits the budget whether it be porcelain or ceramic then go with it.
The manufacturing process makes porcelain stronger.
Ceramic tile is generally just a terracotta base with a tile print imposed through the kiln/firing process.
You may never have an issue with ceramic tiles and hopefully you won't.
Again speaking from experience generally you will never see a cracked porcelain tile unless there are structural cracks in the building floor.
I have seen many issues with cracked ceramic tiles after something like a heavy saucepan/wok being dropped on them.
Granted this can be as much to do with the laying quality as the tile itself.
Note - I am not trying to push any one particular tile above another (although it may sound like it).
I am just trying to give my experiences and recommendations...
Good Luck.