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.
A pei tile rating of 2 is designated for light wear mostly in bathrooms or in areas with normal footwear.
Anything below is suitable only for residential foot traffic with a pei rating of 1 being for light footwear like slippers or socks.
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.
These rating are assigned based on a procedure that tests the tile s permeability to water.
It is important to note that the pei rating is the result of testing glaze wear only and not slip resistance.
Glazed tiles in this class are wall tiles only and unsuitable for use on floors.
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.
Countertops walls and floors that receive normal foot traffic.
Pei 3 regular footfall.
Tiles with a pei 3 rating can be used throughout your home including busy areas such as kitchens hallways and living spaces.
This hardness is determined by the manufacturer using a standardized test.
Those tiles with a pei porcelain enamel institute hardness rating of 4 or 5 are good for home and business traffic.
The results of this test will determine the proper usage of a product.
A rating of 4 indicates tile designated for rooms with moderate to heavy foot traffic.
It s often used in residential bathrooms.
Pei 2 moderate footfall.
Up to 154 revolutions.
On shower walls countertops or anywhere you like porcelain tile can really show other tile who s boss and look good doing it.
Pei 5 heavy footfall.
Walls and light duty floors.
A pei rating is given to a tile product based the hardness of its glaze.
Ceramic tile and porcelain tile have much in common in how they are manufactured and used.
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.
Shower surrounds are a typical pei 1 tile.
The porcelain tile manufacturing process.
Pei 4 intense footfall.
This type of tile should never be used underfoot.
Tiles with a pei rating of.
This rating is designated for tile in rooms with light to moderate foot traffic.
These tiles are perfect for residential use and can also be laid in light commercial spaces such as offices bars and restaurants.
It s also good for installation on walls and is mostly utilized in residential flooring.
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.
It s a good general purpose tile for all residential but not commercial uses.
Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile though it is made from finer denser clay and is fired at higher temperatures.
A pei rating of 3 is good for residential and only light commercial traffic.