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Porcelain and ceramic tiles are made from clay, but porcelain tiles are fired in a kiln at a higher temperature. This makes them more durable, but it also means porcelain is more expensive than ceramic at $3 to $5 more per square foot.

Even with the higher price point, many people choose porcelain over ceramic because there are more color and design options.

Deciding between using a shower pan or tile will likely come down to the shower’s design. You can learn how to install a shower pan liner, but it has a standard look similar to most other showers, though there is some flexibility for material and color choices. Tile, on the other hand, can be customized and is set directly into the shower base. However, a shower tile floor is more difficult to install than a shower pan.

Yes, it’s possible to cut tile without a wet saw; instead, you can use an angle grinder, a glass cutter, a snap cutter, tile nippers, or a rotary tool with a tile-cutting blade. A manual tile cutter or snap cutter works well for the larger tiles that wet saws are typically used for, while smaller projects might just require nippers or a glass cutting wheel. If you’re working with large quantities of tile, however, power tools are best.

When tiling over concrete, you should install an anti-fracture membrane after the concrete has been prepared. The anti-fracture membrane acts as a moisture barrier and should be installed to protect the tiles from moisture which helps maintain their integrity. Often, Ditra, a brand name, is used interchangeably with moisture barrier.