Tile Quality

I want to put in about 12 inch tile on my floor, is there a difference in the cheap too more expensive tile? Would a textured tile with a semi-gloss finish wear ok? Does the color on the cheap tile wear off?

PEI ratings measure the wear resistance of the tile glaze. Follow the PEI chart and purchase a tile that is appropriate for the location and traffic.

The absorption rating is a measure of the tile density. Tiles that absorb (0.03)% or less are suitable for both interior and exterior applications. Tiles that absorb more than (0.03)% are suitable for interior applications.

Check the tile for size variations. Many times the least inexpensive tiles have excessive size differences.

Open a box or two and check for warped, chipped, and broken tiles. Chances are one defective batch can translate into many defective batches.

See Choosing a Ceramic Tile for additional information.

Where do I find the PEI ratings for different Manufacturers Tiles on the internet? A reply would be appreciated. Thank-you!

You need to contact the respective tile manufacturer's directly for that information or ask them at the store. Often it is printed on the boxes the tile is shipped in.

Carter Glass

Once I have determined the PEI rating for a specific tile (for kitchen countertop), how do I know if it is good? Where will I find the scale telling me what the Pei rating should be?

A reputable tile store will have the ratings for you. I hate to sound repetitive but DO NOT go to Home Depot or the like if you want Quality! So called Super Stores deal first in Quantity. Unfortunatley quality takes a back seat. BTY I have had the bad fortune of trying to work with Depot tile. I as a contractor let my customers know that if they purchase Depot tile to add 50% to my estimate. I send them to reputable tile stores and give them my discount as long as they pick up the tile (up to 30% off) Much better price and quality over the Super Stores! http://www.4tatile.com

I just installed some Tile I purchased at Home Depot on a bathroom wall and floors. I am not a Professional Tilesetter. I just laid the floor last night and now I'm reading all these posts about the quaulity of the Home Depot Tile and I am wondering about the quality of my Tile. Do the quality problems just have to do with the installation or the wear, finish etc. Here is a link to the Tile I used. Please give me your opinion. The install went O. K. For an amatuer Tilesetter. http://www.americanolean.com/view_tiles.cfm?category=1&series_ID=55

C1027 Surface Abrasion This test is for glazed tile only. It is based on the P. E. I. Rating system (Porcelain Enamel Institute). A number of sample pieces are subjected to rotation with an abrasive material on their surface (contained in a cup). After a certain number of cycles a specimen is removed. This is repeated after eight subsequent rotations (100, 150, 600, 750, 1500, 2100, 6000, and 12,000). The tile that shows no wear at 12, 000 cycles is then subjected to a staining test. If it passes that test it is classed as a grade V tile. Each test piece is then compared to a new piece and if visible wear is seen in a viewing box, the tile is considered to have not passed that level. There are six ratings that can be achieved by this method (0 to V). The recommended areas of use for these levels are:

0. Decorative only with no use on floors.
I. Light foot traffic without scratching dirt and direct outside access, such as in a residential bath
II. Residential areas but without exposure to abnormal footwear or outside access.
III. Normal residential areas and normal footwear and traffic.
IV. Commercial foot traffic such as entrances, kitchens, offices and sales rooms.
V. Areas subjected to severe pedestrian traffic such as airports, shopping centers, hotel foyers, public walkways, and industrial applications

I have a question. I am about to buy tile from a flooring store. The tile I selected has a pei of 4 but does not have a 10 or 15 or 20 year guarantee. It has a 3 year guarantee. Many have the 10 to 20 year guarantee and some have none. Does that matter?