
Ceramic is a type of vitreous china. Both materials are made of fired clay, but China is made of a finer clay that is fired at higher temperatures and is made of a finer grade. Ceramic sinks are usually thicker, which results in a harder product. Also, is vitreous china superior to ceramic china?
What is the difference between vitreous china and ceramic china?
Vitreous china is actually a type of ceramic. Both materials are made of fired clay, but china is made from a finer grade of clay and fired at higher temperatures. This results in a harder product, but this is offset by the fact that ceramic sinks are usually thicker. Finish.
What is vitreous china sink material?
credit: DHSphoto/iStock/Getty Images. Kitchen sink. Vitreous china is actually a type of ceramic. Both materials are made of fired clay, but china is made from a finer grade of clay and fired at higher temperatures. This results in a harder product, but this is offset by the fact that ceramic sinks are usually thicker.
What is the difference between ceramic and China sinks?
Both ceramic and china sinks are germ-resistant and durable. Material. Vitreous china is actually a type of ceramic. Both materials are made of fired clay, but china is made from a finer grade of clay and fired at higher temperatures. This results in a harder product, but this is offset by the fact that ceramic sinks are usually thicker.
What is vitreous china on toilets?
You should know that vitreous china is a kind of enamel coating that is applied to ceramics, especially porcelain. It’s still added even though ceramic proves to be durable and resistant against chipping and scratches. Ceramic is smooth and sealed so why are some toilets covered with vitreous china?

Is ceramic same as vitreous china?
Vitreous china is an enamel coating that is applied to ceramics, particularly porcelain, after they've been fired, though the name can also refer to the finished piece as a whole. The coating makes the porcelain tougher, denser, and shinier, and it is a common choice for things like toilets and sink basins.
What is the difference between a ceramic sink and a vitreous china sink?
Ceramic is opaque and is more porous than porcelain. Porcelain is translucent and is superior in resisting staining. Vitreous china is durable high gloss enamel glazed ceramic. Cons: These sinks can stain and will chip if heavy objects are dropped onto its surface.
What is the best material to use for a bathroom sink?
Stainless-steel sinks are increasingly popular in the bathroom and top our Ratings. They fended off stains from common cleaning products and drain cleaner, and also resisted heat, dents, and dings.
What is the most durable type of bathroom sink?
Porcelain is extremely durable. There are many porcelain sinks still in use that are 50 to 100 years old. The porcelain material used to make sinks has glass and metal mixed in with the clay to give it extra strength and resistance to heat and chemicals.
What is better ceramic or vitreous china?
Vitreous China and Ceramic Sinks Vitreous china goes a step further and is made by coating porcelain or ceramic with an enamel made from powdered glass, giving it a glossy look. This special coating makes it only marginally more durable than ceramic and porcelain.
How do you clean a vitreous china sink?
Vitreous China SinksRinse thoroughly and use a soft cloth to wipe the product dry after each use.Do not use steel wool, wire brushes or abrasive sponge pads. Use only non-scratch cleaning pads.Be careful not to leave staining materials in contact with the glazed surface for extended period of times.
What is the most durable material for a vessel sink?
Stainless Steel and other Metal Sinks Seen more frequently in kitchens, stainless steel is a great bathroom option as well. It resists germs and bacteria, is resistant to rust and staining, and is extremely durable.
How do I know if my sink is porcelain or ceramic?
When it comes to appearance, porcelain and ceramic are almost impossible to tell apart. The best way to determine what your bathroom sink is made of is to locate the model number and do some digging on the internet.
Do ceramic sinks mark easily?
Liquids such as water and oil run off it very easily, so that hardly any marks can form. These properties mean that ceramic sinks always look very clean and well cared for.
What type of sink is best with a small bathroom?
Wall-Mounted Bathroom Sinks If your tiny bathroom needs all the extra floor space it can get, a wall-mount sink is the best way to go. These space-saving bathroom sinks secure to your wall, creating ample opportunities below for storage or some much-needed space to stretch your legs.
What is the most popular bathroom sink shape?
oval-shapedThe oval-shaped sink is still the most popular and classic shape for a bathroom sink. Square-shaped sinks will add a more modern look and feel. The shape you choose all comes down to a matter of preference.
Which is better resin or ceramic sink?
Ceramic sinks are the standard option and are easy to clean with a high gloss finish that emphasises the cleanliness of the room. It's an ideal material for a family bathroom. Resin sinks may be part of a vanity unit, making the wall-hung furniture less heavy. Resin is a low-cost choice.
What is the difference between china and ceramic?
Although the word "china" often is used generically to refer to all types of ceramic dinnerware, regardless of its quality or physical characteristics, most formal definitions include the quality of being partially or fully vitrified, as well as being primarily made of smooth, white kaolin clay.
Is a vitreous china sink durable?
It's Durable. If you want the look of your sleek sink to last, vitreous china is the way to go. Glass and porcelain sinks may offer a similar shine and seamless design, but neither can measure up to the durability of vitreous china.
How do I know if my sink is ceramic or porcelain?
When it comes to appearance, porcelain and ceramic are almost impossible to tell apart. The best way to determine what your bathroom sink is made of is to locate the model number and do some digging on the internet.
What does vitreous mean in ceramics?
adjective. (of ceramics) having the surface made shiny and nonporous by fusing a vitreous solution to it. “hard vitreous china used for plumbing fixtures” synonyms: glassy, vitrified glazed, shiny. having a shiny surface or coating.
Why is vitreous china used in bathrooms?
According to Bathroom Compare, a vitreous china sink is a popular choice because it's durable and susceptible to everyday bath mishaps. Another pro about vitreous china is that it has sanitary properties that will work well in a bathroom setting. Advertisement. references.
What is vitreous china?
Vitreous China Material. Vitreous china is made by a coating process that's applied to porcelain. According to The Vitreous Enamellers' Society, coating objects with enamel dates back to Ancient Egypt. The citizens of Egypt would fuse ceramic material to metal objects to create durable products. Advertisement.
How to make ceramic toilet?
To make ceramic, you have to mix clay, powders and water while shaping them into a form. When the form is shaped, the ceramic is fired in a high-temperature oven or kiln. People often find themselves debating whether they should go for a porcelain vs. ceramic toilet or vitreous china vs. ceramic toilet. Ceramic is very durable and resistant ...
What is porcelain made of?
Porcelain Made From Ceramic. According to Signature Hardware, porcelain is considered the hardest clay on the market. To create porcelain, ceramic material has to be heated in a kiln at extremely high temperatures. When the ceramic is heated in the kiln, the clay becomes less dense and porous. Advertisement.
Why do people like porcelain?
Buyers love to use porcelain because it has a soft appearance while still being a durable and hard material. Most people like porcelain because it also gives off a more elegant look.
What is the benefit of ceramic?
Another benefit of ceramic is that it's smooth and completely sealed. That means dirt is unable to penetrate the surface. Advertisement. When cleaning ceramic, you simply wipe off the dirt or dust with a soft dry cloth. When doing a thorough clean, you should use a gentle all-purpose cleaner.
When were enamels invented?
Advertisement. The earliest known enamels date back to the 13th century BC during the Mycenaean period. Enamelled objects created in Cyprus were applied on gold, then silver, copper, bronze and later on iron and steel.
How is ceramic made?
Ceramic is a type of pottery hardened by heat. It is started by mixing clay, powders and water. This mixture is then pressed into a form of a specific shape (anything from a teacup to a toilet). And finally, it is fired in a high-temperature oven or kiln. Ceramic is scratch and chip resistant.
Is porcelain harder than ceramic?
Por celain is considered the hardest clay available today and it starts out as... ceramic. It is heated in a kiln at an extremely high temperature (higher than ceramic), so it is less porous and dense. Porcelain is very strong with a smooth finish.
What is vitreous china?
The truth of the matter is, vitreous china is a coating added to ceramics like porcelain. Vitreous china/porcelain is commonly used to make basins and toilets. The word vitreous means “Glass-Like” and describes the high gloss shine that vitreous enamel gives to porcelain and ceramics.
What is the name of the ceramic that sounds like pottery?
Ceramic sounds like pottery so the name is spruced up a bit to sound nicer and called porcelain. Don’t you just love how that rolls of the tongue? Porcelain is a type of ceramic in this case.
What does Ceramic Mean?
Ceramics include any inorganic material that is prepared through a heating and cooling process. Ceramic sinks are made when materials are heated and then cooled so that they maintain a constant shape/form. With this understanding, porcelain and vitreous china are also ceramic materials.
What is porcelain enamel?
Now porcelain enamel IS different in that it uses a cast iron base instead of ceramic materials and is then coated with vitreous enamel.
What is the best material for a bathroom sink?
The most popular materials for bathroom sinks are vitreous china and porcelain. Many times, people wonder what’s the difference between vitreous china and porcelain. It’s difficult to get a straight answer when reading product descriptions especially when things are worded differently.
Is porcelain or vitreous porcelain the same?
Vitreous china and porcelain are very similar when it comes to price. The coating on vitreous china is better at resisting spills, scratches, and other imperfection s. The high gloss enamel is highly durable, sanitary, and it creates a stain resistant surface.
What is a fireclay sink?
Fireclay. Fireclay sinks are made from dense clay that is heated and cured. The clay holds its shape through the firing process and maintains intricate designs and shapes. The glazed sink surface is nonporous and easy to clean. Fireclay is very durable and perfect for heavy-duty use.
What is enamel casting?
Enamel is a powder coating applied to an iron casting and is a combination of clay, quartz, feldspar, silica, and color pigments. When exposed to high temperatures, the coating melts and fuses to the casting, creating a glass-like surface.
Is vitreous china rust resistant?
The ceramic materials of vitreous china offer a smooth, durable, nonporous surface that will not rust, fade, or discolor.
