Nowadays, there are tons of toilets available made with different types of materials. A buyer feels confused when choosing a particular type of toilet as the difference in materials can make the ultimate difference. The bathrooms are often available in ceramic and porcelain versions, but recently, a new toilet material has taken place in the toilet industry: the vitreous china toilet. This is none other than the upgraded version of ceramic. To depict and evaluate a clear picture of the quality and prices of these products, this article will compare the key attributes of these three types of toilets. After reading the article, you will get a clear concept of these amazing types of toilet materials, and it will become easier for you to choose the ideal material toilet for your bathroom.
Winner in terms of…
Affordability: Vitreous China
Durability: Porcelain
Color variety: ceramic
Harsh Chemical Proof: Porcelain
Modern Design: Vitreous China
Water-resistant: Ceramic
Scratch-resistant: Vitreous China
Easy Maintenance: Vitreous China
Short overview of different types of toilet materials
This phase will explore a brief description of these different types of toilet materials. Let us have a look at a short overview of these types of materials.
Vitreous China
Used in: Modern toilets
Ideal for: Anywhere
Cleaning: Easier
Stain-proof: Yes
Maintenance: Easier
Weight: Heavier
Durable: Yes
Price: Low to High
Materials: Ball clay, china clay, silica, and a fluxing agent
Ceramic
Used in: Old toilets
Ideal for: Only home
Cleaning: Easy
Stain-proof: No
Maintenance: Hard
Weight: Heavier
Durable: No
Price: Low to Medium
Materials: Stoneware or ceramic
Porcelain
Used in: Traditional or regular toilets
Ideal for: Home
Cleaning: Easier
Stain-proof: Yes
Maintenance: Easier
Weight: Lightweight
Durable: Yes (Max)
Price: Low to medium
Materials: China clay & silicate mineral
Vitreous China toilet
The vitreous china toilet is a new type of material that is quite common nowadays. It is a mixture of clay, glass, and quartz. It is mainly the modified version of ceramics, the enamel coating is applied to the ceramic, and thus the vitreous china toilet is made. The magic is in the coating that makes it an ultimate choice for toilets.
Vitreous china is a unique coating process that is applied to porcelain. The ancient civilizations earned the crafting techniques of fusing ceramic material with metal objects to use plumbing and faucets for a functional sinks. When an intense amount of temperature is applied to the powdered glass, the result is a liquid called vitreous enamel that can be used to coat small objects. Vitreous china is actually a ceramic material, such as porcelain, that is glazed with enamel. The vitreous china coating is used later on in the heating process.
Advantages of using a Vitreous China toilet:
Vitreous china is one of the most unique and pleasant materials from which the toilets are made. Here I am discussing some of the unique features of the vitreous china material.
- The vitreous china toilets are easily available anywhere, and the most promising feature is that it is better at resisting spills, scratches, chips, and other inconveniences.
- The vitreous china toilets have durable, extraordinary, and stain-resistant surfaces that do not catch acute skid marks, stains, and any kind of rough semblance.
- It’s smooth. Naturally, stain-resistant qualities make vitreous china sinks stand the test of time. The high-shine durable surface stays that way with an easy swipe of a soapy cloth. This is best for those who want a sleek and aesthetic design toilet.
- Vitreous china material has a tremendously resilient nature that makes life simple and smooth for the users before the faucet is even installed. Other Materials offer a gorgeous, high-end look, but some of them are incredibly heavy.
Vitreous china and porcelain have almost the same type of price tag. However, vitreous china is better at resisting spillage, scratches, or other bathroom chores. The high gloss enamel is very durable and creates a stain-resistant surface. Also, vitreous china has sanitary properties which are affordable to use in the bathroom.
Ceramic toilet
Ceramics is a type of artificial pottery hardened by heat. It is obtained by mixing clay, powders, and water. This mixture is then suppressed into a form of a specific shape that is anything from a teacup to a toilet. In the end, it is fired in a high-temperature oven or kiln. Ceramic is a scratch and chip-resistant product that can withstand a lot of heat and termination. Ceramics is one of the safest and cheapest materials among them all.
Positive sides of a Ceramic toilet:
The ceramic toilet is one of the most demandable and comprehensive toilets nowadays, as there are tons of advantages to having a ceramic toilet in the home. In this phase, I will describe some of the most cherishing features of the ceramic toilet,
- Long-lasting quality is one of the most enticing qualities of a ceramic toilet. The high-quality structure and sleek design are two of the most appreciating qualities of the ceramic toilet.
- Ceramic toilets are an extremely suitable option for low-budget toilets. In a comparatively cheaper option, you can get the best option ever.
- The constitution of the ceramic toilet is clay, silica, and water to form the slurry. The gypsum helps to absorb some of the water from the slurry, and thus the ceramic toilets are made. These constituents provide a lot of strength to the toilet.
- Ceramic toilets are more or less durable than most other toilet materials. In some cases, these toilets are resistant to chipping and cracking. If used carefully, it provides you with long-time support and service.
Porcelain toilet
Porcelain is considered the most complex material you can find today, and it began out as ceramic. It is heated decently in a kiln at an extremely high temperature higher than ceramic, so it is less porous and dense. The porcelain is very strong with a smooth finish, and the glaze is always up to the mark. Nowadays, porcelain is the most used and demandable material in the arena of the toilet and other hardware industries.
Why should you choose a Porcelain toilet?
If you want to buy compact and all-in features, then porcelain toilets are one of the best choices in the market; let us have a closer look at the tremendous advantages of the porcelain toilet,
- porcelain toilets are resistant to the buildup of mold, mildew, bacteria, and general filth.
- These toilets are not as porous as wood and some other materials, which means they are less likely to catch skid marks and other filth marks.
- The aesthetic side of porcelain toilets is also much more pleasing, and it looks cleaner than some other materials.
- Cleaning porcelain toilets are reasonably easy since filth is less likely to be deeply ingrained in the material. Another astounding feature is that Porcelain toilets will not rust or corrode, giving them an advantage over most ingredients.
- One of the prime reasons why most people buy this porcelain product is its outstanding looks, and the exterior and interior of the porcelain toilet are truly amazing.
- You can find the porcelain colored to match just about any bathroom aesthetic. A plain white toilet is usually inexpensive and can blend in with just about any washroom interior décor.
Affiliate Disclosure: “This page contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through our links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.”
Vitreous China vs. Ceramic vs. Porcelain Toilet Comparison
Here we are comparing three different products: Vitreous china, porcelain, and ceramic toilet. Users feel satisfied to see the relative comparison among the products. We will discuss these different product materials’ comparative pros and cons to fulfill that criterion.
-
Material quality: Porcelain is the winner
The first and foremost consideration is the quality of the materials and the built-in features of the materials. In a short opinion, clearly, porcelain is the winner, as it is harder than the other two materials. And the most enticing subject here is that the porcelain has an extra layer of clay and glazing elements that makes it the better option among the two.
After the porcelain comes the vitreous china material toilet, and it is the second most quality element among these three materials. Relatively the ceramic toilet is of lower quality, but they come in different designs and structures, so it is easy to find the preferred diversity there. So if you are going to buy a superior quality toilet, you must choose porcelain toilets.
-
Porcelain has maximum durability.
In terms of durability, no other component can beat the porcelain toilets. Porcelain toilets possess a lot of unique qualities, like low permeability and elasticity, considerable strength, hardness, whiteness, translucency, resonance, and high resistance to corrosive chemicals and thermal shock. These qualities make the porcelain an ultimate quality toilet.
In the case of durability, the vitreous china material is not that workable. Many considerations make it one of the weakest toilet materials among these three. Vitreous china materials have an artificial layer of clay that is not that strong and effective. This synthetic layer is very prone to chipping, and it is easily scratchable, so it can be decayed anytime. But the vitreous china material looks attractive, and it has a glossy surface so that it does not stick any type of skid marks. In terms of durability, I recommend porcelain over the two materials.
-
Which one is worth the money?
If we talk about the pricing, then the vitreous china element is a clear winner here. It is relatively common that people prefer the vitreous china toilet; the cost factor is always the main criterion before purchasing any material. If you have a tight budget and want an all-in-class material, then vitreous china is the top pick.
If budget is no problem, you must go for the porcelain toilets as they are the best quality material. Porcelain toilets add excellent aesthetics to your washroom. And last but not least, ceramic toilets are less expensive than the other ones, but they can provide long-lasting performance.
-
Design and aesthetic differences
The criteria of the design and the aesthetics are the most challenging criteria, and it is very much difficult to distinguish the qualities of the toilets. The design and aesthetics differ from brand to brand. But one thing that I can say is that the porcelain has the most glassy and top-notch appearance than the other two. If we talk about vitreous china materials, it is also a most useful material as it looks tremendous and also does not stick stain marks in the toilet so it is really easy to maintain.
-
Ceramic is more water-resistant.
It is one of the most significant criteria of all time. If the surface of the toilet is porous, then water will intrude into the surface and create internal damage to the toilet. This porous surface will make the toilet dull and fragile. The ceramic toilet is generally a porous element, and it soaks water more than any other material; it needs an extra layer to impede the infiltration of water into the surface of the ceramic. On the other hand, porcelain is a natural water-resistant element that obstructs water from entering the surface of the toilet. It means that porcelain is the best in regard to the water-resistant criteria. And the vitreous china material is also a water-resistant toilet; its smooth and synthetic surface resists water at its best. So to satisfy the water-resistant quality, you can rely on vitreous china and porcelain toilets.
-
Compare scratch-resistant quality
From the discussion above, you may already know that porcelain is more durable and harder than ceramic, and it is obvious that the harder the surface of the toilet it will, be more scratch-resistant. So automatically, the ceramic is more prone to scratches, and on the other hand, the porcelain is effectively scratch-resistant. Lastly, the vitreous china material is less prone to scratches. So you need to be careful about the scratch marks if you are buying ceramic or vitreous china materials.
-
Maintenance and repairing: Vitreous China is the winner
The maintenance and repair process of toilets is always a hassle for homeowners. But if you think about maintaining the toilets, then my opinion is vitreous china materials need less repairing and maintenance. The repairing of the porcelain is pretty costly as the parts of the porcelain are a bit costlier than the ceramics. The ceramic also needs less maintenance. It is easy to clean the toilet and is less costly. The most efficient way of cleaning the toilet is using a mixture of baking powder and vinegar. You can also use powerful toilet cleaners that are available on the market.
Final verdict: Which one should you choose?
All three toilet materials are more or less effectively renowned in the toilet genre. But they have some unique sets of characteristics and qualities. For your convenience and to eradicate possible hesitance, we have briefly compared the features and belongings of the different products. Now, as we have come to the final segment of our article, it is our solemn duty to provide a prudent opinion about which is the better toilet among these three. Looks, needs, and requirements vary from man to man.
If you are running short of the budget, you can check between the vitreous china and ceramic toilets, and if you are searching for a top-class and glamorous toilet, then no other option is bigger and better than the porcelain toilet. If your main criteria have a toilet that requires less maintenance, you can undoubtedly go for vitreous china or ceramic toilets.
Almost all renowned brands like Kohler, Toto, and American Standard produce these three types of toilets. You need to determine your basic choice and requirements to purchase the preferred item. I hope you have understood the key differences between these three toilets; none of them are bad; it’s just the variety of choice, design, colors, and habits of the users that define the supremacy of the toilets.
FAQs
What are the possible differences between vitreous china and ceramic?
Some people think that both vitreous china and ceramic are the same materials, but it is totally a misconception. Ceramic is pure raw materials that are used to manufacture toilets, bathtubs, and other bathroom settings; on the other hand, vitreous china is an artificial synthetic added layer of high gloss shine vitreous enamel giving an extra glaze to the surface that prevents skid marks in the surface of the toilet. That’s why vitreous china is less porous than ceramic, and its durability is also higher than that of ceramic.
Are vitreous china and porcelain the same thing?
They are not precisely the same, but they possess almost the same characteristics. Porcelain is a raw and shiny material that does not have any added layer of any glazing constituents; on the other hand, vitreous china materials possess some added layer of coatings that makes it super smooth and silky. It is growing more popular around the world for its budget-friendly aspect. Actually, it is the best alternative to porcelain.
Where can I find the porcelain toilets?
Porcelain toilets are substantially available in almost every region around the world. But if you want to choose among a variety of options, then you can go for the various online platforms. You can check exclusive porcelain toilets from renowned brands worldwide through any of the giant online platforms like Walmart, Amazon, Alibaba, Yourtoilet.com, and many more.
Hi, this is Robert Crossan, the owner of this website, has 17 years of experience in the installation, maintenance, and repair of toilets and plumbing systems. After completing the Level 2 Basic Plumbing course in 2005, I started working in both domestic and commercial buildings as a professional plumber. So I can figure out the core difference between different toilet models and brands. It also helped me monitor their work performance and setbacks.