Ceramic Tile Wear Rating

The porcelain enamel institute has created a standardized grading system for porcelain and ceramic tile.

Ceramic tile wear rating.

This hardness is determined by the manufacturer using a standardized test. A rating of 1 is the highest quality and thickest tile available 3 4 inch thick and you. 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 porcelain enamel institute pei rates ceramic tiles for wear on a scale from 1 to 5.

A pei rating is given to a tile product based the hardness of its glaze. Darker tiles may wear more easily than lighter ones. The wear rating explains how easily abrasions may show on glazed tile. Often this is referred to on technical specifications as abrasion resistance durability classification or pei rating.

The rating system guides appropriate application based on how glaze may wear over time. 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. Pei ratings are only used for glazed ceramic tiles. How much foot traffic can your tile handle.

All areas are different and you should decide the best tile for your own circumstances. Tiles technically unsuitable for floors. It does not measure the fracture strength of the entire tile nor does it offer any rating of the slip resistance of the tile. This rating does not measure the overall quality of the tile but the tile s resistance to abrasion and ability to handle foot traffic.

While the composition of each tile may differ the most important attribute to a tile is its wear rating. The pei categorization primarily defines the hardness and durability of the various ceramic products that are tested. It should be noted that the pei rating involves testing of only the surface wear layer of a tile s enamel glazing. The pei rating categorizes tile by its specific intended use and its ability to resist wear.

Tiles are graded using a numerical numbering system based on their thickness and quality. A pei tile rating of 2 is designated for light wear mostly in bathrooms or in areas with normal. Tiles with a wear rating of 0 are not recommended for use on floors and are therefore rated w0. The ratings are as follows.

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. Each tile rating or class includes recommendations for use and installation. It is important to note that the pei rating is the result of testing glaze wear only and not slip resistance.