Timeless Tile’s Carbon Conundrum

It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sustainable building materials, but durability is one of the top green attributes we look for at BuildingGreen. So selecting one of the most durable materials on the planet—porcelain tile—for floors, walls, and even countertops should be a no-brainer for green building. Right?

Well, like most things, it’s complicated. Porcelain tile can be a designer’s dream: it’s available polished and unpolished, comes in numerous colors, and can mimic wood or stone for flooring or accents. There are also great sustainability reasons to choose porcelain tile (not what’s sold as “ceramic tile,” which is fired at lower temperatures and is less durable). But there are also potential hitches to think through. We’ll talk about both.