Ceramic Tile Wear Rating

Tile with this rating is not suitable for installation on floors.

Ceramic tile wear rating.

The porcelain enamel institute has created a standardized grading system for porcelain and ceramic tile. All areas are different and you should decide the best tile for your own circumstances. Please note that the examples below are given as general indications only. It s a scale of 0 5 that indicates how a floor tile will wear due to the amount of foot traffic and therefore suggest what floor applications if any that the tile is appropriate for.

A rating of 1 is the highest quality and thickest tile available 3 4 inch thick and you. Pei ratings are only used for glazed ceramic tiles. Often this is referred to on technical specifications as abrasion resistance durability classification or pei rating. The ratings are as follows.

Tiles technically unsuitable for floors. A rating of 1 means the tile can be used on very light wear areas and should only be installed in rooms where people use soft footwear such as sneakers or slipper. The pei rating categorizes tile by its specific intended use and its ability to resist wear. While the composition of each tile may differ the most important attribute to a tile is its wear rating.

A pei rating is given to a tile product based the hardness of its glaze. The wear rating explains how easily abrasions may show on glazed tile. Darker tiles may wear more easily than lighter ones. It is important to note that the pei rating is the result of testing glaze wear only and not slip resistance.

The rating system guides appropriate application based on how glaze may wear over time. A pei tile rating of 2 is designated for light wear mostly in bathrooms or in areas with normal. It should be noted that the pei rating involves testing of only the surface wear layer of a tile s enamel glazing. The pei categorization primarily defines the hardness and durability of the various ceramic products that are tested.

Tiles are graded using a numerical numbering system based on their thickness and quality. The results of this test will determine the proper usage of a product. Each tile rating or class includes recommendations for use and installation. How much foot traffic can your tile handle.

The porcelain enamel institute pei rates ceramic tiles for wear on a scale from 1 to 5. This rating does not measure the overall quality of the tile but the tile s resistance to abrasion and ability to handle foot traffic. This hardness is determined by the manufacturer using a standardized test.