Which is better for the toilet: porcelain or faience?

One day, everyone is faced with the choice of replacing plumbing. And if everything is more or less clear with bathtubs, then there are still many questions about toilets. First of all, consumers are interested in which toilet will last longer - earthenware or porcelain. Toilets made of these two materials differ not only in price, but also in their characteristics, although outwardly they are very similar. This article will help you understand the intricacies of choice, the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

Porcelain is a unique material made from white clay. In its composition, more than 50% is kaolin, and the rest is quartz and spar. And in order for porcelain to achieve its optimal characteristics, it is fired at a temperature of about 1400 degrees Celsius in special ovens. It is due to carefully selected raw materials, its crushing and sifting, as well as the heat treatment process, that a porcelain product has such a high strength.

Porcelain has a low coefficient of water retention, which is 0.05%, which is a clear advantage over faience. In addition, the following parameters can be attributed to the undoubted advantages of this material:

• high resistance to mechanical stress, for example, shock;
• very dense texture, absence of pores, which complicate the cleaning of the product;
• low risk of unpleasant odor from the toilet;
• easy care;
• resistance to chemically aggressive substances.

However, porcelain also has some disadvantages, among them:

• high quality made porcelain sanitary ware expensive;
• Sanitary porcelain in appearance is sometimes quite difficult to distinguish from sanitary ware, which is sometimes used by unscrupulous sellers, selling earthenware at a higher price.

Earthenware is 80% clay. The rest of the mass consists of silicates and quartz, as well as a small amount of kaolin. The firing temperature of earthenware products is in the lowest range - from 1050 to 1300 degrees. The composition, low density and low firing temperature make sanitary ware the most fragile of all ceramic materials. In addition, the material has a very porous structure and a high water absorption coefficient (from 0.5 to 12%).

To increase the consumer characteristics of the goods, the sanitary ware is covered with a special glaze. It repels water and impurities, preventing them from being absorbed into the pores and leading first to the loss of the attractive appearance of the material, and then to its destruction.

The advantages of faience plumbing include the following points:

• low weight of products due to thin walls;
• small size;
• durability;
• resistance to chemically aggressive substances;
• low cost.

The disadvantages include:

• the final quality of the product is highly dependent on the production technology and can be either excellent or unsatisfactory;
• earthenware products of well-known foreign brands can be compared in cost to porcelain toilets.

When choosing a toilet bowl made of sanitary ware or porcelain, there are general recommendations that can be followed.

• The release of the plumbing device must match the type of sewer pipes installed in the apartment. So, the vertical outlet (to the floor) cannot be connected to the drain neck built into the wall. A completely different sewer solution is provided for this release. Better to find the right plumbing.

• The shape and size of the toilet should not only fit perfectly into the room, but also meet the individual characteristics and needs of the consumer. So, for a large person with a lot of weight, a small toilet can only cause inconvenience.

• Availability of self-assembly. If you plan to install a faience or porcelain toilet on your own, it is better to study this issue in advance and not purchase a product with complex systems. If the installation will be carried out by an experienced plumber, then you can purchase any suitable and suitable model.

• The toilet bowl in shape, color and size should not stand out and go against the general concept of the toilet room... This is especially true for combined bathrooms, where it is necessary to combine all the plumbing with each other.

• The purchase of a toilet bowl can be carried out both in a retail specialized store and on the Internet. Moreover, the latter option is gaining more and more popularity, as you can save time, effort and often money. It is not so important in which store the purchase will be made, the main thing is to study the certificates and all information about the product and the manufacturer. It will not be superfluous to ask what kind of guarantee is given for the selected toilet.

It is impossible to say unequivocally which is better - porcelain or earthenware toilets. Each customer will have their own needs and capabilities.

In order for the purchased toilet bowl made of earthenware or porcelain to serve as long as possible, while maintaining its attractive appearance, you should properly and promptly take care of it. There are several types of industrial toilet bowl cleaners.

1. Suspended blocks. As part of such funds, a specialized gel that is released in portions onto the walls of the toilet bowl with each flush of water. The blocks do an excellent job of preventing limescale and urinary stones, aromatize and disinfect the inside of the toilet bowl. However, it is not possible to maintain adequate toilet hygiene with them alone.
2. Gels. They contain very aggressive substances - acids, alkalis or chlorine. They perfectly clean the surface from plaque and kill microorganisms. So, oxalic acid is suitable for daily hygiene, and also allows you to remove limescale. It is enough to apply the product to the walls of the toilet bowl, leave it for 5-15 minutes, and then clean it with a brush. Gels with phosphoric acid are excellent at fighting rust, and with chlorine they whiten and disinfect the space.
3. Powders. Contains surfactants, complexing agents, abrasives and special antibacterial additives. It is not recommended to use powdered products for porcelain, as they can lead to scratches on the surface of the product.

You can also clean the toilet folk remedies that are in every home.

Perfect for daily hygiene baking soda and regular table vinegar. Gruel from these funds is applied to the toilet bowl with a brush and the surface is cleaned.

Will help get rid of urinary stones lemon acid. Several sachets of the product are poured into a bowl and left for 2-3 hours, and then gently cleaned with a brush.

Not a single apartment or private house is complete without a bathroom, in which the toilet is the main attribute. The main thing is to choose the right model, evaluate the quality before buying, and also properly look after the "white friend". And then he will delight with his pristine appearance for many years to come.

About the difference between faience and porcelain, see below.