We get asked about ceramic and porcelain floor tile almost every week in our Rapid City showroom, and it makes sense why. Both materials look great, both hold up well, and both get lumped together so often that most homeowners are not sure where one stops and the other starts.
At Altimate Flooring, we wrote this guide to clear that up. You will learn the real differences between ceramic and porcelain tile, where each one works best in a Black Hills home, and what you can expect to pay.
If you would rather skip the reading and talk it through with a real person, contact us or stop by our showroom at 1221 Oregon St, Rapid City, SD 57701. We are happy to help you figure out the right fit.
Ceramic and porcelain tile start out as close cousins. Both are made from clay that gets shaped and fired in a kiln. That is pretty much where the similarities end.
Porcelain tile is made from a denser, more refined clay and fired at a much higher temperature. This process pushes almost all the moisture out of the material, which is why porcelain is harder, less porous, and more resistant to water than standard ceramic and porcelain tile options on the market today.
There is actually an industry standard behind this. The American National Standards Institute defines porcelain tile as ceramic tile with a water absorption rate of 0.5 percent or less. The Tile Council of North America explains that this classification comes down to how fine-grained the tile is and how it performs on a standardized water absorption test. Anything above that threshold falls into the broader ceramic tile category.
In practical terms, that means porcelain tile is the tougher, more water-resistant sibling in the ceramic and porcelain tile family. Ceramic tile is a bit softer and more porous, but it is still a dependable, budget-friendly option when it is rated for the right application.
Yes, ceramic tile can be used on floors, but not every ceramic tile is made for that job. This is the part that trips up a lot of homeowners.
Ceramic tile comes in two general categories: wall tile and floor tile. Wall tile is thinner and softer, and it is not built to handle foot traffic. Floor-rated ceramic tile is thicker, denser, and tested for durability under weight and movement.
The easiest way to tell them apart is the PEI rating, which measures how well a tile resists abrasion and wear.
So if someone asks whether ceramic tiles on floor applications are a good idea, the answer is yes, as long as you choose a tile rated PEI 3 or higher. Our team can walk you through the PEI ratings on every product in our showroom so you are never guessing.
Porcelain tile is practically built for floors. It is denser, harder, and more resistant to scratching and moisture than most ceramic options, which makes it a strong pick for busy households.
Because porcelain absorbs so little water, it also holds up well in spaces where ceramic tile might struggle over time, like entryways, mudrooms, and bathrooms. This is one reason porcelain and ceramic tile often get compared side by side. Homeowners want the durability of porcelain but sometimes prefer the pricing or the look of a specific ceramic design.
The good news is that you do not have to choose blindly.
You can browse our full tile flooring selection or check out our flooring products catalog to compare styles side by side before you decide.
Here is a quick breakdown to help you compare ceramic and porcelain floor tile at a glance.
Neither option is objectively better. It really comes down to your budget, your household, and which rooms you are working with. Our team walks through this exact comparison with customers every day in our showroom.
Where you live matters just as much as what you choose. Here in the Black Hills, homes deal with dry winters, sudden temperature swings, and plenty of dirt, gravel, and snowmelt tracked in from the driveway.
That makes ceramic and porcelain tile flooring a smart choice for a few key spaces:
If you are updating a kitchen or bath and want tile on your countertops or backsplash too, our countertop services can help you tie the whole room together.
Tile styles have come a long way from the small, glossy squares you might remember from years past. Large-format tile, wood-look porcelain planks, and textured stone finishes are all popular right now, and they show up in a lot of the newer builds and remodels we see around Rapid City.
We cover this in more depth in our 2026 flooring design trends guide, which breaks down what is trending across every flooring category, not just tile.
A few patterns worth knowing about if you are planning a project:
Trends are fun to browse, but do not let them override what actually works for your household and your budget. Our showroom team can help you find something that feels current without feeling like it will look dated in five years.
One of the best parts of choosing ceramic and porcelain floor tile is how little upkeep it needs compared to other flooring types. Regular sweeping or vacuuming keeps grit from scratching the surface, and a simple mop with a pH-neutral cleaner handles most everyday messes.
Grout needs a little more attention. Sealing your grout lines every year or two helps keep stains and moisture out, especially in bathrooms and entryways where water exposure is more frequent.
We put together a full walkthrough in our tile flooring cleaning guide if you want the complete list of dos and don'ts. You can also browse our tile flooring 101 resource for a broader look at how tile is made, rated, and maintained.
Cost is usually the first question homeowners ask once they have decided tile is the right direction. Here is a general pricing guide for Rapid City area homeowners.
So for an average 200 square foot kitchen or entryway, most homeowners land somewhere between $600 and $2,000 for ceramic, or closer to $800 and $2,600 for porcelain, once installation is included. Your actual price depends on the tile you choose, the layout, and any subfloor repair needed before installation.
Altimate Flooring offers free on-site estimates, so you get an accurate number for your specific space before you commit to anything. We also offer flexible financing through the Mohawk Credit Card if you want to spread the cost out.
We have been a locally owned flooring store in Rapid City for over 35 years, and tile has been part of that story the entire time. We know how Black Hills weather treats a floor, and we carry products built to handle it.
Here is what you get when you work with us:
Beyond tile, we also carry carpet, hardwood, laminate, and luxury vinyl flooring, so if tile ends up being right for some rooms and not others, we can help you figure out the best mix for your whole home. Browse our full products page to see everything we carry, or check out our full range of flooring services for anything beyond product sales, including commercial flooring for local businesses.
We serve homeowners throughout Rapid City and the surrounding Black Hills communities, including Sturgis, Deadwood, Box Elder, Black Hawk, Piedmont, Summerset, Hill City, Keystone, Ellsworth AFB, and New Underwood.
Get in touch with the flooring professionals at Altimate Flooring
Rapid City - 1221 Oregon St
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