What is the best grade of tile?

Author: Dr. Hector Renner  |  Last update: Friday, July 4, 2025

Grade is the numerical ranking that reflects tile quality. Grade 1: Highest quality. Recommended for walls or floors.

Which quality of tiles is best?

Premium quality tiles are typically manufactured to higher standards and are designed to withstand wear and tear over time. They may have better resistance to stains, scratches, and fading. Standard quality tiles may be more prone to damage and may require more frequent maintenance.

What is level 5 tile?

Wear rating 5 tiles are intended for heavy traffic and constant use areas, such as shopping malls, schools, hospitals, and other spaces that need a durable, easy to maintain floor tile.

What are the different grades of tiles?

Tiles are graded by quality: Grade 1 tiles contain no flaws or defects. Grade 2 tiles contains slight imperfections and Grade 3 tiles are thinner and designed exclusively for walls. Use Grade 1 or 2 tiles for floors.

What is a grade 5 tile?

Grade 5 porcelain tiles make up the top porcelain tile grade rating and are the toughest type of tile available, making them perfect for areas with heavy foot traffic and where durability is key.

Ceramic VS Porcelain - Before You Buy

How to tell if a tile is good quality?

How to Distinguish the Good from the Bad of Ceramic Tiles?
  1. Product Thickness: Thicker tiles for floors (8-12 mm) and thinner tiles for walls (6-10 mm).
  2. Water Absorption: Low absorption for wet areas (less than 0.5% for porcelain).
  3. Modulus of Rupture: Higher values (at least 35 MPa) for better strength and durability.

What does grade 4 tile mean?

Grade 4. For most commercial installations, Grade 4 tile is recommended. It is intended for heavy traffic, and is often found in restaurants, shops, offices, and other spaces that need a durable, easy-care floor tile.

What thickness of tile is best?

Their thickness typically ranges from 6mm to 12mm. Thinner tiles (6-8mm) are generally suitable for walls, while thicker tiles (8-12mm) are preferred for floors to withstand foot traffic and resist cracking.

What is the difference between cheap and expensive porcelain tile?

The difference between cheap and expensive tiles lies in factors such as material quality, durability, aesthetic appeal, manufacturing quality, and versatility.

How do I choose the right tile?

Tiling 101: How to Choose the Perfect Tiles for Your Home
  1. Durability: One of the most important factors to consider when choosing tiles for your home is their durability. ...
  2. Style: ...
  3. Budget: ...
  4. Consider the room : ...
  5. Installation Method: ...
  6. Maintenance:

What is the 3 4 5 rule for tiling?

Starting at one point on the baseline, measure and mark 3 feet (or another unit) along it. From that same starting point, measure 4 feet perpendicular to the baseline and mark this point as well. Measure between the two points you just marked. If the distance is 5 feet, your lines form a perfect 90-degree angle.

What is the strongest floor tile?

Porcelain Floor Tiles

One of the strongest tile types is Porcelain. This is because porcelain is a dense material, which makes the tile stronger and less likely to scratch and chip. However, there are some pros and cons to porcelain tiles that you should take into consideration before purchasing.

How do I know what grade my tile is?

There are only two grades. Grade one, which can be listed on a box of tile as standard, 1 or first grade and Grade 2, usually listed as 2nd. Grade is sometimes referred to as quality but that is not the whole story. It does not demonstrate it's strength, uniformity or stain resistance.

Which is No. 1 tiles brand?

Kajaria Ceramics Ltd

The company is well known for being the best floor tiles in India and has been doing business since mid- 1988. The company produces glazed ceramic tiles, polished ceramic tiles, floor tile, ceramic wall tiles, etc. The company exports its products all over the world from over 30 countries.

What is the best kind of tile to buy?

Porcelain tiles usually have a much lower water absorption rate than ceramic tiles, making them more frost-resistant, although not frost-proof. Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and have more damage resistance than ceramic tiles, so they should be suitable for almost any indoor residential application.

How to identify premium quality tiles?

How to Check the Quality of Tiles
  1. Visual Inspection:
  2. Colour Consistency.
  3. Physical Test. Tap Test. Scratch Test. Water Absorption.

What is a good price to pay for tile?

Tile floors cost an average of $17 per square foot, which means most bathroom floors require $1,100–$3,000 worth of tile work. Vinyl tile installation can cost as low as $2 per square foot, while premium tile can run more than $100.

How can you tell good quality ceramic tile?

Assessing the quality of tiles involves considering factors such as material, PEI rating, water absorption rate, thickness, rectified edges, color consistency, slip resistance, and the reputation of the manufacturer.

What is a class 5 tile?

These tiles are durable enough to be used in such heavy traffic areas as shopping malls. Class 5 tiles are the most durable and can be used for all residential, commercial, and even industrial applications where extreme durability is a must.

Is there a big difference in tile quality?

Yes, investing in high-quality tiles is often worthwhile. They typically offer better durability, lower maintenance costs, and a longer lifespan, ultimately saving money in the long run compared to cheaper alternatives.

How thick should tile grout be?

3/16" We recommend a 3/16" grout size for our Ceramic Tile. This thickness leaves room for the natural variation in size, and the perfectly imperfect edges of handmade tile.

Which type of tiles is best for the floor?

One of the most sought-after flooring options, ceramic tiles offer outstanding durability, affordability, and versatility. They're available in an extensive range of colors, patterns, and textures, which means you can choose the perfect look and feel for any room in your home.

What is a good thickness for tile?

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.

What is economy grade tile?

What are Economy Grade tiles. An item listed as a “Economy Grade” will have failed quality inspection for cosmetic, rather than functional, reasons. It can vary from differences in the print from batch to batch, variances in the colour between batches and even small chipping or pimples in the glaze.

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