Many people think that all ceramic tiles are more or less the same when it comes to durability, but this is not quite true. This is because ceramic tiles come in different hardness levels or classes. While all ceramic tiles are hard to a certain extent, some are much harder and more durable than others.
While all ceramic tiles are essentially made of the same ingredients, the quality and color of those ingredients can make a dramatic difference in the price. For example, to make a tile with a pure white body requires white clay, which is much harder to find than the red or beige clay found in most tiles.
The best way to check the quality of ceramic tiles is to put them on a levelled surface. If the tiles have some curvature or are warped, they won't lie flat. Measure the diagonals of ceramic tiles. They should be of the exact same length.
Ceramic tile is graded from 1 to 5, with 5 being the longest wearing tiles. Grade 1 tiles are the weakest, with the best application as wall tiles. Grade 2 tiles are best used in areas where there is light traffic, such as residential bathrooms.
The different grades of ceramic tiles – Grade 1 are usually placed on walls, grade 2 are usually for homes flooring; grade 3 is for light to moderate foot traffic; grade 4 is usually for commercial use; grade 5 is for heavy foot traffic.
Grade 1 tiles aren't durable enough for flooring; they're more suited for wall applications. Grade 2 tiles are fine for rooms that get light traffic, such as bathroom floors that mostly see bare or stocking feet, but they're generally not strong enough for kitchens and other traffic-heavy areas.
The toughest porcelain tile available on the market, Grade 5 tiles are used in areas that receive very high foot traffic and are prone to a lot of wear and tear. They are popular for installation in schools, hospitals, grocery stores, and industrial buildings. Grade 5 tiles can hold up to harsh chemicals as well.
Durability: The density of porcelain tile makes it more durable than ceramic tile while being less subject to wear and tear. This makes it more suitable for commercial use as well as in the home. Water Resistance: Porcelain tile is almost impervious to water compared to ceramic tile.
In most cases, porcelain ceramic tiles are denser and stronger than their non-porcelain counterparts. This is because ceramic tiles are manufactured from clay fired in a kiln. With the exception of terra-cotta, most tiles made from non-porcelain ceramic are finished with a glaze.
Standard size is the key to judge the quality of tiles. Measure the diagonal and quadrilateral dimensions and thickness of tiles with tape or caliper. The color sense is whether the tiles have chromatic aberration, the color is rich, the good tiles have no color difference, the flower color is rich and diverse.
But no solution is entirely free from drawbacks, and ceramic tiles do have a few weaknesses that you need to keep in mind. One is that they chip relatively easily, meaning that if you should drop something onto them, or strike them with something, they will be more likely to show a mark.
According to NAHB, when you buy quality ceramic tile and have it professionally installed, it'll last a lifetime. That doesn't mean 30 or 40 years but rather, anywhere from 75 to 100 years. So, when you invest in this type of flooring, you can enjoy it your entire life.
Yes, a higher quality tile is usually more expensive. But it could have a high quality appearance, higher quality production standards, or a higher durability rating.
Ceramic tiles are extremely hard. While the hardness of ceramic is considered to be an added value, as it makes them easier to clean and maintain, there is also a downside. The hardness makes it uncomfortable to stand on them, while the kitchen is an area where the user has to stand for a prolonged period.
When tiles have size, shade and quality variations in them, they are labelled second, or B grade and come with no guarantees from the manufacturer or retailer. They may be cheaper than a first grade tile, but you need to check each one before installing to avoid any nasty surprises in your finished project.
Traditional subway tile is glazed ceramic. But you can get subway tile in porcelain, many kinds of natural stone, glass, and more.
Water resistance
However, glazed ceramic is only designed to inhibit moisture from being absorbed. Regardless of how ceramic is glazed, it will always be far more absorbent than porcelain. Choose porcelain for tile showers, or opt for ceramic tile for walls and porcelain tile for the flooring.
Porcelain is denser than ceramic which means it has a lower absorption rate. It is frost resistant – making porcelain better for outside applications. Indoors, the extra density makes porcelain less likely to chip.
Wednesday, June 30, 2021 7:46 AM. Below grade refers to a room that's below ground, usually basements. They can be damp and humid, so the best floors are either waterproof or hard surfaces, such as any vinyl, porcelain, ceramic tile, or concrete.
PEI Class 3 Rating (Light to moderate traffic) – Recommended for countertops, walls and floors where normal foot traffic is expected. PEI Class 4 Rating (Moderate to heavy traffic) – Recommended for all residential applications as well as medium commercial and light institutional.
Ceramic and vitrified tiles with a rating of 0.42 are the most popular and recommended for bathroom floors. Because of the excellent grip, and its seaming offers for both wet and dry feet, mosaic design tiles are frequently used for bathroom floors.