Ceramic Tile Wear Rating

Tiles are graded using a numerical numbering system based on their thickness and quality.

Ceramic tile wear rating.

Each tile rating or class includes recommendations for use and installation. The porcelain enamel institute has created a standardized grading system for porcelain and ceramic tile. The results of this test will determine the proper usage of a product. A rating of 1 is the highest quality and thickest tile available 3 4 inch thick and you.

This hardness is determined by the manufacturer using a standardized test. The porcelain enamel institute pei rates ceramic tiles for wear on a scale from 1 to 5. All areas are different and you should decide the best tile for your own circumstances. A pei rating is given to a tile product based the hardness of its glaze.

Tiles with a wear rating of 0 are not recommended for use on floors and are therefore rated w0. Pei ratings are only used for glazed ceramic tiles. It does not measure the fracture strength of the entire tile nor does it offer any rating of the slip resistance of the tile. The pei categorization primarily defines the hardness and durability of the various ceramic products that are tested.

Most tile manufacturers list the pei rating on the tile s tear sheet and most re sellers include the rating in the product description in their catalog or website. The ratings are as follows. The wear rating explains how easily abrasions may show on glazed tile. While the composition of each tile may differ the most important attribute to a tile is its wear rating.

It should be noted that the pei rating involves testing of only the surface wear layer of a tile s enamel glazing. 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. How much foot traffic can your tile handle. Tiles technically unsuitable for floors.

A pei tile rating of 2 is designated for light wear mostly in bathrooms or in areas with normal. This rating does not measure the overall quality of the tile but the tile s resistance to abrasion and ability to handle foot traffic. Darker tiles may wear more easily than lighter ones. 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.

Tile with this rating is not suitable for installation on floors. The rating system guides appropriate application based on how glaze may wear over time. The pei rating categorizes tile by its specific intended use and its ability to resist wear.