Jackson, New Jersey, Flooring Brief, Elizabeth G. Yokel, June 8, 2016: Those in the process of rennovating a room or another part of a home may feel that selecting tile is a fun problem to solve. Though as fun as it may seem to be, the myriad of style choices and other considerations are likely to make shopping for tile an overwhelming endeavor.

According to Floor & Decor, PEI is a measurement of the “abrasion resistance” of a tile, meaning how much “rubbing” does it take to physically impact the look of the tile. The test is scored on a scale of 1 to 5 and each value represents a durability to withstand increasingly more demanding traffic.

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Tiles with a PEI rating of zero are unsuitable for use in flooring. Such tiles are suitable for use as wall coverings.

Tiles with a PEI rating of one are suitable for use in locations where softer footwear is worn or where shoes are not frequently used. Such tiles are suitable for residential bathrooms, areas with light traffic, commercial interiors and residential walls.

Tiles with a PEI rating of two are suitable for residential traffic, areas trafficked by soft soled or standard footwear with small amounts of scratching dirt. Such tiles are unsuitable for kitchens, entrance halls, stairs and other areas subjected to heavy traffic. 

Tiles with a PEI rating of three are suitable for residential and light commercial areas. Such tiles are suitable for offices, reception areas, boutiques, interior walls, countertops and residential bathroom floors though it is not recommended for commercial entryways.

Tiles with a PEI rating of four are suitable for regular traffic. Such tiles are ideal for medium commercial and light institutional usage. Such tile is suitable specifically for restaurants, hotels, hospital lobbies and corridors.

Tiles with a PEI rating of five are suitable for areas with heavy traffic, abrasive dirt and moisture, and where safety and maximum performance are required. Such tiles are suitable for shopping malls, public buildings, building entrances and swimming pools. 

Seriously consider texture of the tile for installations in areas prone to moisture such as kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and pools.  Kitchen tile flooring with a textured or matte finish is highly likely to be somewhat less slippery than tile with a smooth or shiny finish. Though textured tile may not be as easy to clean. Homeowners who prefer an easier-to-clean tile and simply adore the look of polished marble and porcelain tile feel the low-maintenance and the stunning beauty of shiny tile outweighs a lack of slip resistance. 

Color is clearly a personal choice though be mindful of a few general rules: Lighter colors, which make a space appear larger, are an excellent choice for smaller rooms. Darker colors, which add warmth, are great way of making a space inviting. Neutral colors, which provide flexibiity, make selecting accessories and changing décor convenient. Bright colors, which add character to a space, make creating a cheerful atmosphere simpler.

Not much unlike the PEI scale, suppliers rate the color variation of their tile. Within each style and production run, color shades are likely to vary to differing degrees. Some products have little to no variation. However, there are options that display a moderate to dramatic range of variation. Each is a stylistic choice.

The following is a rating system, which summarizes how tiles (ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles) are graded for color shade variation:

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Tiles with a color rating of V1 have a uniform appearance. Differences among pieces from the same production run are minimal or none at all.

Tiles with a color rating of V2 have a  slight variation. Differences among pieces are clearly distinguishable differences in texture and/or color.  

Tiles with a color rating of V3 have a  moderate variation. While the colors present in a single piece of ceramic tile may indicate the color patterns to be expected on other tiles, the amount of colors on each piece might vary significantly.

Tiles with a color rating of V4 have a  random color variation from tile to tile. One tile may have a totally different color from that on other tiles, which would make the final installation unique.

Additional Considerations:

Those residing in an area that gets frost should not install ceramic tile outdoors because the body of the ceramic tile can absorb small amounts of water during the day, then at night when the temperature drops below 32 degrees Farenheit, the water inside the tile can expand, crack the tile and/or pop the tile off of the mortar bed. Select a porcelain tile because the body will not absorb water and is not at risk to expand when it freezes.

The Coefficient of Friction (COF) of a tile is a measure of the “slip resistance” of a tile. The dry cement patio around a public pool is extremely slip resistant (so it would get a high rating) and the ice on hockey rink is extremely slippery (so it would get a low rating). For tiles, it is important because ratings above a certain number comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and can be used in commercial areas or public areas. There are two ratings – STATIC COF and DYNAMIC COF.

The Static Coefficient of Friction is the force required to start something moving; such as the force between your shoe and the floor in order to propel you from a stopped position to a moving position. If you apply a great deal of force, there is a chance you may slip. This test shows the amount of force needed just before you slip. To pass ADA, the test must be done on a WET tile and the result rating must be greater than 0.6.

The Dynamic Coefficient of Friction is the force required when something is in motion. Imagine you are walking, the more pressure you apply, the faster you will go. This test shows the amount of force -needed- just before you slip while you are already in motion. To pass ADA the test must be done on WET tile and the result rating must be greater than 0.42.

Those interested in determining the Coefficient of Friction for tile produced outside the USA are likely to require independent testing. Not all factories outside the USA test their tiles for COF. For additional information about tiles, please visit this page the Floor & Decor website.

Learn more about Floor & Decor. Visit the tile page of their website or watch their videos.

Learn more about The Tile Shop. Visit their website, watch their videos or browse through their catalogues. 

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