Tiles will always remain a popular flooring choice because of their many benefits, which include being durable and requiring low maintenance. But how does one choose a tile that is guaranteed to look good until the next renovation?
Richard Nuss, Marketing Manager at Johnson Tiles offers tips on how to recognise a quality tile:
1. Check the grade of the tile. Inspect a sample tile or two and look out for irregular glaze, any inconsistency in the thickness and any colour defects.
2. Always examine the tile label and the manufacturers’ technical information about the tile for the durability classification. The tile’s abrasion resistance is indicated as the PEI rating. PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) is an international standard that measures the degree to which a tile’s surface will withstand wear. It is measured by the amount of glaze abraded from the glaze surface during abrasion testing.
3. Be sure to purchase tiles that are appropriate for your needs. Tiles rated PEI 1 and 2 are suitable for low traffic areas such as the bathroom and bedroom whereas PEI 3 rated tiles are ideal for interior and exterior domestic areas that receive a higher footfall including the entrance hall, passage, kitchen and patio.
4. Avoid installing high gloss glazed tiles on heavily used floors. High-gloss glazed tiles scratch easily and are also slippery when wet. Be careful of purchasing highly polished tiles for areas that may get wet, such as the bathroom and outdoors.
“Tiling choices are wide-ranging, but whatever tile you choose, think about the practicalities as much as the aesthetics,” says Nuss. When in doubt always ask sales staff to assist you to choose a tile that will suit your needs and still be within your budget.
With thanks to Johnson Tiles
Leave a Comment