The PEI rating, or Porcelain Enamel Institute rating, is one of the most important factors to consider when considering various porcelain tile grades for your project. This rating tells you the resistance of a tile to wear due to abrasion and determines its suitability for different uses.
Check the slip resistance: If you're using porcelain tile in a bathroom or kitchen, choosing porcelain tiles with a high slip resistance rating is essential to prevent accidents. Porcelain floor tiles with an R rating of 10 are the most slip-resistant.
The material makeup of porcelain can differ to achieve different characteristics in the tile, making some more suitable for particular tiling projects over others. Not only can the material ingredients of the base change but the glaze can also make a huge difference to the performance of the tile and its suitability.
Porcelain tile is graded on a similar scale. The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) has established ratings ranging from 0 to 5, whereas 0 represents the softest tiles suitable for wall applications and 5 represents the hardest tiles suitable for heavy foot traffic.
The grade of porcelain tile is affected by the mixture of materials used in its manufacture, but mostly the grade is determined by the tile's thickness. Thin, grade 1 tiles are not necessarily lower in quality than higher grades, they just have different uses.
The most obvious difference in the two is the finish. Lower quality porcelain may have a flaws in the glazing or glazing that does not cover fully. The most common flaw looks like tiny pinholes.
Tile Thickness
The vast majority of porcelain tiles are 6mm to 10mm thick and a tile in this range will serve most purposes. Wall tiles typically range from 6 to 10mm thick. Mosaics and decorative wall products also range from 6 to 10mm thick to make combining them easier.
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.
However, there are a number of factors that can affect the price of porcelain tiles such as the manufacturer, the country of origin, the depth/quality of the printing process, etc. But the thing that affects tile pricing the most is the design.
Compared to other flooring materials, such as hardwood flooring, natural stone, or vinyl tile, porcelain tile can be less comfortable underfoot due to its hardness. It's colder to walk on, especially in the winter.
1. Lower quality materials: The tiles may be made from lower quality materials, which can affect their durability and longevity. 2. Mass production: The tiles may be produced on a large scale, which can lower the cost per unit.
Best for Cost: Ceramic Tile
As a general category, ceramic tile is less expensive than most porcelain tiles. But there is a surprisingly large range of prices for both types of tiles. Note that the very highest quality designer tiles tend to cost roughly the same for ceramic and porcelain.
Porcelain tile has a 60+ year life expectancy, so you definitely get your money's worth. It's perfect for walls, floors and indoor/outdoor installations. Rated for high-traffic areas, you won't have to worry about your porcelain floor degrading over time.
It comes in various styles, colors, and sizes and can be used to create stunning designs. Porcelain tile is typically mid-range in price, costing an average of $12–$40 per square foot.
One of the things to consider before buying tiles especially Porcelain tiles is its design, colour and size. A good Porcelain tile assures a colour consistency throughout its design and with its long-lasting property the choice of design and colour should perfectly compliment your personality.
It is deemed to be a sign of quality and luxury. Italian tiles are all about meticulous precision and also of luxury. When it comes to the tiles – ceramic or porcelain, they are the real deal in terms of attention to detail. So we can confess that Italy, Makes the Best Porcelain Tile In the World.
It can improve your house's appearance, make your floor more resistant to spills, and even make cleaning easier. When done right, it also increases your home's value!
Man-made materials such as ceramic and porcelain tiles are generally much more cost effective than natural products, with ceramic tiles often being the most economical choice of the two thanks to their lighter density and weight.
Density & Durability
Porcelain tiles are denser than ceramic, and therefore less porous. Meaning they're harder, therefore more durable and absorb less water. This makes them more suited to high footfall areas which will see heavy use. This doesn't mean that ceramic is not as good however!
However, porcelain tiles can be somewhat more brittle than standard ceramic tiles, and they have some of the same drawbacks as ceramic tile, including their heavyweight, coldness, and hardness underfoot.
Both tiles are made from a clay mixture that's fired in a kiln, but porcelain tile is made from more refined clay and it's fired at higher temperatures. This makes it denser and more durable than ceramic tile.
Rectified flooring, like porcelain tiles or natural stone tiles, have precise edges for narrow 2-3mm grout lines (except for tumbled or chipped edge styles, which should be installed with 4-6mm gaps).
Typically, this tile should not have an absorption value greater than 0.50%, with an average breaking strength of 275 lbf (pounds of force). Porcelain tile has a high weight-bearing capacity; still, it's worth checking its force value before the installation of heavy items on top.