Ceramic vs Porcelain: Which adhesive should you use?

Choosing the right tile adhesive is one of the most important parts of a tiling project. Get it wrong and you risk cracked tiles, loose floors, or callbacks that cost time and money. Ceramic and porcelain tiles may look similar, but their properties mean they can place different demands on an adhesive.

Which tile adhesive is best for porcelain tiles?

Porcelain tiles are dense, low porosity, and heavier than ceramics. They need a flexible, polymer modified adhesive that can handle the weight and provide long lasting strength. Flexible adhesives also cope with movement and temperature changes, so they are suitable with underfloor heating and high traffic areas.

• Kerakoll H40 Gel Tile Adhesive for porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone.
• BAL Single Part Flexible S1 Adhesive for walls and floors that need strong adhesion.
• Mapei Super Flexible S1 Adhesive for large format porcelain and areas exposed to heat or moisture.

Which tile adhesive is best for ceramic tiles?

Ceramic tiles are lighter and more porous than porcelain, which makes them easier to work with and often less demanding on the adhesive. Standard cement based tile adhesives usually perform well, especially for smaller formats and walls.

Many installers still choose flexible adhesives on floors or when fixing larger ceramic tiles. A polymer modified adhesive adds insurance against minor movement and helps create a stronger, longer lasting bond.

• Kerakoll H40 Gel Tile Adhesive for straightforward ceramic installations.
• BAL Single Part Flexible S1 Adhesive as a reliable all round choice for walls and floors.

Natural stone and specialist tiles

Natural stone needs extra care. Some adhesives can stain, especially light coloured marble or limestone. Always check manufacturer guidance and choose a white, flexible adhesive where required. Options like Kerakoll H40 Gel in white are formulated to reduce the risk of discolouration while providing the strength needed for heavy stone tiles.

Substrate and site conditions

Adhesive choice also depends on the substrate, tile size, and site conditions. Plywood overlays, heated screeds, and anhydrite or calcium sulphate screeds require suitable primers and flexible adhesives. Large format tiles benefit from improved wetting out and correct trowel choice. Always follow the product data sheet for mixing, open time, and bed thickness.

Quick selector

• Porcelain tiles: choose a flexible, polymer modified tile adhesive such as Mapei Super Flexible S1 or BAL Single Part Flexible S1.
• Ceramic tiles: standard cement based adhesive can be suitable, but a flexible option like Kerakoll H40 Gel is a smart upgrade.
• Natural stone: check suitability, use white adhesive where needed, and confirm it will not stain the stone.

Conclusion

Whether you are fixing porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone, the correct tile adhesive will protect your work and reduce the risk of callbacks. For porcelain use a flexible, polymer modified product. For ceramic a standard adhesive can work, but flexible formulations are a wise choice, especially on floors. For natural stone confirm compatibility and avoid staining by selecting the right white adhesive.

Browse all tile adhesive at Tile Fix Direct or go straight to our top picks: Kerakoll H40, BAL Single Part Flexible S1, Mapei Super Flexible S1.