Porcelain tile

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Through-body porcelain tile, is as the name implies does not involve a glaze or a layering of different products together to create a tile. The surface, and the interior of the tile is the exact same material. Much as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, tile is only as strong as its weakest component, which is why porcelain tile is used in many applications, where glazed tile would not be able to hold up to the local conditions (impact, frost).

Italy is the birthplace of modern porcelain tile production, but today is produced in many countries, including China, Turkey, Argentina, and Spain.

Porcelain and ceramic are essentially the same product, the difference being the end result out of the kilns. The two defining characteristics for tile are water absorption, and abrasion. By definition by ANSI to be classified as porcelain tile, the product must be 99.95% non-porous (or better).

[edit] Trade Organizations

ASCER (Spain’s Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association)

Assopiastrelle (Association of Italian Ceramic Tile and Refractories Manufacturers)

CTDA (Ceramic Tile Distributors Association)

NTCA (National Tile Contractors Association)

TCNA (Tile Council of North America).