PEI ratings for porcelain tiles

PEI stands for the Porcelain Enamel Institute, which works to test different types of porcelain tile to determine the level of suitability for certain uses and locations. This gives porcelain tiles a rating based on their level of abrasion and hardness. Knowing this level can be very important for indicating how a tiles will wear over time, and how a tile will withstand foot traffic.  The ratings range from 1 to 5. The lower the number the lower the level of abrasion and hardness. So what are the important things you should know about PEI ratings for porcelain tiles? And how can you choose the right tiles for your requirements. 

Understanding PEI ratings for porcelain tiles

When choosing tiles there are a number of things to consider including the colour, style and size of the tile. You should also factor in the PEI rating of the porcelain tile too, particularly for floor tiles. To apply the PEI ratings to your tiling project you will need to know:

• A PEI rating of 1 means that the tiles are only suitable for wall tiling and will not be appropriate for floor tiling.
• A PEI rating of 2 means that the tiles are suitable for light foot traffic, but are not advisable in busy rooms or spaces.
• A PEI rating of 3 means that the tiles are a good choice for areas of normal foot traffic, and can be used on floors or walls around any residential space.
• A PEI rating of 4 means that the tiles can be used effectively for residential as well as medium level commercial use.
• A PEI rating of 5 indicated that the tiles are useful for heavy footfall in commercial settings.  

For more information or advice about the PEI ratings of the tiles you are hoping to install, or to begin shopping for your new tiles, check out what we have in store, here at Tiles 2 Go. We are Preston’s leading tiling experts.