What to look out for when you select a tile

By Tal | 2013-03-14

Tiles are one of the most versatile items in the building trade – they can be made for floors and walls, indoors and even around the pool. Being such a diverse medium, you need to be sure which tiles are ideal for your project. The “big 5” of tiles include design, size, shape, glaze and material.



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Once you have an idea of the colour and pattern that you like, start considering the size of the tiles. Large tiles may look beautiful, but they are more expensive and may have more wastage, especially if used in small spaces.

The Porcelain Enamel Institute rates abrasion resistance.

PEI Scale from 1 to 5:

  • PEI 1: Domestic/Soft Footwear for Bathrooms and Bedrooms only.
  • PEI 2: Domestic/Light Traffic/Interior but exclude Patios, Hallways and Kitchens.
  • PEI 3: Domestic/Interior and Exterior includes Patios, Hallways and Kitchens as well as Light Commercial – Flats and Offices.
  • PEI 4 for Commercial and Heavy Traffic environments – for retail and hospitals.
  • PEI 5: is the ultimate flooring for very Heavy Traffic and Industrial applications including Sports Stadiums and Factories.

Be sure to ask about the wear and usage of your ties before you buy – you don’t want to have a floor that is not going to last.

When considering porcelain and ceramic tiles, remember that porcelain tiles have much lower water absorption rate than ceramic tiles, which makes them resistant to damage caused by frost.

Article by Richard Nuss


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