China tiles versus Italian and Spanish tiles

[jamescorn 0]

Dear forum,

We're at the point of choosing tiles for our new living and dining room. Our architect took us to view Italian homogenous tiles at a showroom couple of days ago and the indicative prices range from $70 to $150 psm. We checked out couple of other shops selling MIC tiles ranging from average of $20 to $60 psm. 

Price aside, are Italian tiles (i.e. made in Italy and not an Italian tile company that manufactures tiles in China) really of better quality than those made in China? I understand it depends on the tile manufacturer, and I have also personally used China made tiles for a place and the tiles were very lasting. 

The mind says better to buy the best China tiles than the lowest price range of the Italian tiles, but the heart questions if Italian tiles are really of better quality due to QC, manufacturing process, work ethic of workers, impurities in the China tiles, etc. I've read comments doing a google that mostly point towards Italian tiles being of better quality and designs.

Thanks for sharing your experience of this.

[arowana 2]

My tiles are always Made in China tiles so far. But for my next house. I'm planning to go for non-homo tiles like marble or granite etc.

If you are willing to spend more on tiles, might be worth going for better material ones. If you still think it's better to stick to homo tiles for convenience of cleaning, then i would also suggest get the best quality made in china tiles.