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.
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.
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.
PEI 3: 750, 900, 1200, 1500 revolutions Light to moderate traffic. Average domestic homes. Countertops, walls, and floors for normal foot traffic. PEI 4: 1500+ revolutions Moderate to heavy traffic.
Tiles with a PEI rating of 4 are suited for installations that are subjected to regular levels of foot traffic. Recommended for medium commercial and light institutional use, such as restaurants, hotels, hospital lobbies and corridors.
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.
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.
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.
Though definitions vary, porcelain can be divided into three main categories: hard-paste, soft-paste, and bone china. The categories differ by the composition of the body and the firing conditions.
The three main types of porcelain are true, or hard-paste, porcelain; artificial, or soft-paste, porcelain; and bone china. Porcelain was first made in China—in a primitive form during the Tang dynasty (618–907) and in the form best known in the West during the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368).
While “porcelain” and “ceramic” are often used interchangeably, each term refers to a different material when describing wall, floor, bathroom, and kitchen tiles. Porcelain is made of finer clay, absorbs less water, and is usually more expensive than ceramic.
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.
Porcelain is more costly than ceramic, but more affordable than natural stone. While its durability can be beneficial, it can also make the tile trickier to install.
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.
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.
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.
Porcelain tiles are one of the most practically designed tiles that are not strong but aesthetically perfect. They do not chip easily and the cases of such damage, if any, are very rare and most can be avoided with extra care.
– Simply put: no! Among tile options, porcelain stands out as a very strong and durable choice.
Porcelain tiles by themselves cost, on average, between $2 and $30 per square foot. Hiring a professional to install the tiles for you can cost $9 to $50 per square foot, including the tiles.
The DCOF AcuTest® has determined that 0.42 wet is the standard for tile that can be used in potentially wet and level applications. Download the TCNA DCOF Brochure. Where floor tiles have a DCOF lower than 0.42, care must be exercised to ensure the tiles are not walked on while wet.
Tiles with a wear rating of 5 are suitable for walls + all residential and commercial floor applications. 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.