Porcelain floor tile vs natural stone

They are probably pretty close since they are both very dense materials. Bigger differences will be seen between carpet and tile. I doubt you will have much difference in your heating bill between the two.

If you want to test it out, why don't you get a sample of each and put them on a hot brick (that you heated up in the oven) and see which feels hotter first. The one that heats up first will be a better heat conductor.
Lynn

If you want to test it out, why don't you get a sample of each and put them on a hot brick (that you heated up in the oven) and see which feels hotter first. The one that heats up first will be a better heat conductor.
Lynn
And then tell us the results!

Natural stone sealed once a year? First I ever heard of that. I have slate and the installer recommended I seal it about every 5 years. We have had our slate in now for 4 years and I think it looks just as good as it did when installed and so far I have not re-sealed it. I guess we will think about it next year at the 5 year mark, but then again the thought of moving all that furniture maybe not!

Dana
Willow Glen

I had ceramic tile in one bathroom and vinyl flooring in the other until I replaced the vinyl with limestone. Before the renovation, both the ceramic and vinyl seemed equally warm to the touch when the radiant heat was on. Now there is a discernable difference between the ceramic tile and the limestone; the ceramic is warmer when the radiant heat is on, and the limestone is, frankly, cold. I did this renovation in the spring of this year and am curious to see how the limestone will perform with the radiant heat in the middle of winter.

I put cork in the kitchen/dining room over a year ago (tiles are glued onto the cement slab without a subfloor); the cork gets warm when the radiant is on. Because the limestone does not seem to perform nearly as well with regard to heat conductivity as the ceramic and cork, pending its perforamance during the winter, I would not use stone again.

how has your cork held up to spills, dropped things, small children and pets?

From what I hear, the biggest problem with cork is the fading from the direct California sunlight shining through the floor to ceiling windows.

Well, here's how the test went. First I had to find a brick which I did at Orchard Supply - a big one. I heated it for a long time in the oven. Then I laid the porcelain tile sample on one half of the hot brick and the "natural stone" tile on the other half. They both started to warm-up right away, but the stone seemed to be just a little ahead of the porcelain ( a few seconds, maybe). The stone also seemed a couple of degrees hotter. They both continued to heat quickly until they were both almost too hot to touch.

As a result of my utterly scientific study, I would say that the two I tested were about the same - both good conductors of heat.
Bernie

I installed a dark cork which faded in places. The dining room chairs have created depressions in it. I haven't had any issues with spills, but on a rainy weekend this winter I will probably put a coat of polyurethane over it to seal it better. Despite the fading, I really like the look, the heat conduction, the fact that it is softer than tile or stone and that is is "green."

Hi Bernie- Thanks for letting us know the test results. The speed at which the each heated up is the key indicator at how well they well they will perform since eventually they will both come to the same temperature if they sit there long enough.

Your test results show the stone is more responsive and you will probably find the stone to be more dense than the porcelain. I'm not sure how this will translate into your heating bill- not sure it will make a big enough difference to sway your decision.

Either one is the next best floor for heat conduction compared with bare concrete (with all is cracks, flaws, and stains).
Lynn