What are the abrasion classes of tiles? Check which tiles are suitable for the kitchen, bathroom, and living room.

Practically all glazed floor tiles can be categorized based on their abrasion class, expressed in PEI. This parameter tells us what kind of wear we can expect from daily use.

 If you want your chosen tiles to have an aesthetic appearance and their durability to be really high, be sure to read the guide we have prepared for you.

What will you learn from this article?

Home or apartment renovation involves many choices. One of the most important is undoubtedly considering the right flooring.. When choosing tiles, it's worth paying attention not only to their purpose, aesthetics, or rectification. Also important are values such as slip resistance and abrasion resistance. In this article, you will read:

• What exactly do the tile abrasion classes inform us about?
• How to choose the appropriate abrasion class?
• What are the best tiles for high-traffic interiors?
• What will be an excellent solution for less frequently used rooms?

 We will also advise you on the differences between ceramic tiles and those made of porcelain or terracotta.

What does the tile abrasion class inform us about?

The abrasion of tiles is expressed in the PEI scale. This is an international standard that determines the resistance of glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles to surface wear. The models tested are subjected to a rotating abrasive wheel, and later it is evaluated when damage appears on their surface.

 The higher the class, the greater the wear resistance. Variants of a lower abrasion class are therefore recommended on walls.

 The division is as follows:

1. PEI 0 (very low resistance) — tiles are highly susceptible to damage. Such a class is recommended exclusively for walls and only where there is no contact with potential abrasive factors. About 100 machine revolutions are sufficient for damage.
2. PEI 1 (low) — such tiles are suitable for rooms with very little traffic, and where users walk in soft shoes or barefoot. Here the machine needs about 150 revolutions to damage the tile.
3. PEI 2 (medium-low) — appropriate for interiors with moderate traffic, where soft shoes are worn. Damage occurs after about 600 machine revolutions.
4. PEI 3 (medium) — tiles of such abrasion can be used more frequently, but not with hard and heavy footwear. For this class, the safe revolutions for tiles should not exceed 1500.
5. PEI 4 (high) — this class guarantees high resistance even with strong use. This option works well not only in homes but also in public places, such as shopping centers. At this abrasion level, tiles withstand from 2100 to even 12,000 machine revolutions, indicating excellent resistance.
6. PEI 5 (very high) — such tiles withstand over 12,000 machine revolutions, which equates to the highest resistance. This exemplary material is distinguished by the best parameters. Indispensable in public utility buildings.

 The scale allows for an approximate comparison of the strength of tiles with their model materials.

What abrasion class of tiles is suitable for different rooms?

You already know that well-matched tiles are not just about aesthetics. When choosing specific models for each room, you must pay attention to their resistance. So as to allow easy, frequent movement and comfortable use of the space.

Appropriate tile class for the kitchen

The kitchen is a place exposed to the fall of various objects, liquid spills, and stains. At the same time, it is a space with moderate traffic, which is relatively frequent in residential buildings but not as intense as in public utilities.

 For this specific room, tiles in class III, but also IV, will work great, which may prove to be an even safer option. In the kitchen, at the same time, it is worth paying attention to the porosity, defined as absorbency. Variants with low absorbency, such as porcelain tiles, will impress you with their resistance to moisture and stains, as well as not being problematic in maintaining cleanliness.

 And since we're talking about decorating this interior, be sure to check what tiles for the kitchen on the wall will be a good option.

Recommended technical parameters of tiles for the bathroom

When choosing floor tiles for the bathroom, it's definitely worth paying attention to higher abrasion classes. In residential spaces, the bathroom is the area we use intensely. Tiles with an abrasion class of III or IV are recommended as they demonstrate high resistance to damage and scratches.

As for the abrasion resistance in the context of wall tiles, class I and class II will suffice.

 However, it's worth remembering that the bathroom is very humid, so tile selection should consider not only wear resistance but also water resistance. Glazed ceramic tiles will work great. The coefficient of slip resistance is also an important parameter. The higher it is, the lower the risk of slipping on a wet surface. Anti-slip tiles will effectively ensure your safety when moving on wet floors.

 To enjoy a practical and nicely finished bathroom, check: How to design a bathroom yourself - online bathroom design

Tiles for the living room and high-traffic areas

When it comes to floor tiles in the living room, hallway, or entryway, remember that they are exposed to intensive, daily use. After all, these are some of the rooms we use most often, meaning high traffic. We particularly recommend class III and IV here, as they will guarantee good durability in daily use.

 Tiles laid in the entryway have contact with hard footwear, we place suitcases and shopping bags on them. We bring in dirt, sand, and pebbles on them, making them most susceptible to rapid damage. Therefore, you need to choose tiles resistant to mechanical damage and rapid wear. Class IV will work well for such spaces.

 The very important factor is also the choice of appropriate tiles for so-called utility rooms and spaces. The paramount value here will be excellent resistance. In the case of unglazed tiles, the so-called deep abrasion resistance is particularly important. Such technical models are a perfect choice for laying on the terrace or in the garage. They are less decorative but very durable.

 Remember that even the best-matched tiles will not work daily if you don't take care of them. Check: How to clean porcelain tiles — home methods

 What else to pay attention to when buying tiles?

The choice of the right tiles should consider their technical parameters, which have a direct impact on daily durability. Before purchasing a specific model, look at them in terms of daily use and planned interior design. After all, something different will work in a modern pantry with low traffic, and something else to install on a floor in the hallway prone to frequent damage.

 The abrasion class of tiles has a significant impact on surface durability. Much like the already mentioned slip resistance.

 Regarding the aesthetics, the key will be not only the color, and pattern, but also the size of the tiles. Today, you can find bathroom, kitchen, and living room tiles in smaller and larger formats. The availability of options in various colors allows them to be adapted to traditional and more designer spaces. You should also carefully consider the texture. Do you prefer matte, or perhaps glossy models?

 When buying terrace tiles, an important element will be frost resistance. After all, you surely want the selected variant to withstand the harshest conditions on the steps.

Enjoy functional and aesthetic tiles in your home

As you can see, whether tiles are characterized by high resistance and an aesthetic appearance depends on their abrasion class. This applies to both porcelain tiles and ceramic models. And although the higher the abrasion class, the better, you will still find tiles recommended for rooms used rather sporadically. To enjoy an arrangement that will look beautiful for years, do not buy random models.