What Is a Certified Porcelain Tile?
Industry professionals often can’t identify a tile as true porcelain by sight alone. The key distinction between porcelain tile and other types of ceramic tile is porosity. To be considered porcelain, the tile must have a water absorption of 0.5% or less, as defined by ANSI A137.1 testing standards.
The Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA) program requires that tiles considered for certification be tested by a third-party laboratory. IPA Laboratories is the only U.S. laboratory authorized to perform testing for PTCA certification.
Products meeting the standard can then display the PTCA certification mark, giving buyers and distributors confidence that the tiles have been independently verified as porcelain.
Certification Advantages
PTCA provides a means to prove products meet the definition of porcelain tile. With certification, companies can differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace while giving distributors confidence they are selling the real thing.
Credibility & Trust
Independent verification ensures products meet the rigorous water absorption requirement, eliminating doubt in the marketplace.
Market Differentiation
With some products misrepresented as porcelain, PTCA-certified tiles stand out and are easily recognized.
Sales Advantage
Distributors and retailers can confidently promote certified products, offering assurance to specifiers, end users, and customers.
Who we serve
Manufacturers
Responsible producers face unfair competition from those who cut corners, creating a market that rewards misrepresentation.
Distributors & Contractors
Selling non-porcelain tile under the porcelain name damages credibility and may create liability issues, even when done unknowingly.
Specifiers & Builders
Architects, specifiers, and end users depend on porcelain’s performance. A misrepresented product may fail in real-world conditions, leading to expensive repairs.
Product Brands
