Along with hardness and slip resistance water absorption is an important thing to consider when shopping for porcelain tile the american national standards institute ansi has developed a rating system for the moisture absorption of tiles.
Porcelain tile pei 3 rating okay for shower wall.
These tiles are perfect for residential use and can also be laid in light commercial spaces such as offices bars and restaurants.
Shower surrounds are a typical pei 1 tile.
Walls and light duty floors.
Pei 3 regular footfall.
Group 2 tiles are suitable for the above and less busy areas of the home such as bathrooms.
Pei 2 moderate footfall.
These rating are assigned based on a procedure that tests the tile s permeability to water.
The results of this test will determine the proper usage of a product.
Up to 154 revolutions.
According to the tile council of north america glazed porcelain tiles have a water absorption rate of 0 5 percent or less which makes them an outstanding material for shower walls.
Much like ceramic tile these tiles come in all kinds of colors patterns and shapes but they are an even harder and more durable material.
Pei 5 heavy footfall.
A pei rating of 3 is good for residential and only light commercial traffic.
It s a good general purpose tile for all residential but not commercial uses.
For this reason the pei value is shown in tile catalogues as the requirement for the individual article rather than for the series as a whole which may have lighter and darker tiles.
A pei tile rating of 2 is designated for light wear mostly in bathrooms or in areas with normal footwear.
For example tile with a pei grade of 1 which is the lowest can last for years and look gorgeous when it s installed as a decorative wall tile.
Tiles with a pei 3 rating can be used throughout your home including busy areas such as kitchens hallways and living spaces.
Glazed tiles in this class are wall tiles only and unsuitable for use on floors.
On shower walls countertops or anywhere you like porcelain tile can really show other tile who s boss and look good doing it.
A pei rating is given to a tile product based the hardness of its glaze.
This hardness is determined by the manufacturer using a standardized test.
It s also good for installation on walls and is mostly utilized in residential flooring.
Ceramic tile and porcelain tile have much in common in how they are manufactured and used.
Pei 4 intense footfall.
Anything below is suitable only for residential foot traffic with a pei rating of 1 being for light footwear like slippers or socks.
It can usually be installed in the average home and works well on countertops and walls.
Those tiles with a pei porcelain enamel institute hardness rating of 4 or 5 are good for home and business traffic.
The porcelain tile manufacturing process.
It s good for.
This rating is designated for tile in rooms with light to moderate foot traffic.
Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile though it is made from finer denser clay and is fired at higher temperatures.
A rating of 4 indicates tile designated for rooms with moderate to heavy foot traffic.
Tiles with a pei rating of.
This type of tile should never be used underfoot.