How Is The Quality Of Tiles Determined By The Experts?

Tiles when chosen correctly can provide years of beauty and service to our homes. There are many factors that determine the life of tiles, choosing reputed commercial tiling contractors is one of them. A good tiling contractor like Siera Stone Ltd carefully selects the tiles based on several factors. In this article by Siera Stone Ltd we will read the factors that are used to determine the quality of the tiles.

Tile Grading

Tiles are assigned numerical numbers, which is based on their thickness and quality. A rating of 1 is considered the highest quality and the thickest tiles available (3/4 inch thick). These tiles can be used on tiles as well as on floors. Grade 2 tiles are also considered good, but some imperfections exist in them; these tiles are also usable on walls and floors. Their thickness is ½ inch.

Grade 3 tiles are considered the thinnest with ¼ inch thickness. Such tiles are appropriate only for walls, suggest the experts at Siera Stone Ltd-the leading London tile company.

Ability to resist wear-tear and scratches

The tiles are rated by Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) based on their ability to resist abrasions caused by everyday wear and tear. The higher the ‘PEI’ number, the better the ability to resist wear-tear, for example- PEI IV tiles are given this rating for high wear and tear resistance and are recommended for high traffic commercial floors. PEI I & PEI II are not suited for installation for floors. In order to be considered fit for residential use, a tile must have a rating III or higher. It is important to note here that PEI rating is only applicable to glazed tiles.

Glazed and unglazed tiles are also rated for scratch resistance and hardness. To determine a tile’s ability to resist scratches, the tiles are scratched using special testing tools. A rating of 5 or higher is recommended for home flooring. 7 or higher are considered good for commercial floors.

All the tiles available at Siera Stone Ltd, the leading London stone company and Tiling Company, are tested for scratches, hardness, wear and tear, so that only the best tiles reach the customers.

Water absorption quality

A tile’s water absorption rating helps the experts determine whether or not a tile is suitable for installation in your room. A tile rated as non-vitreous is not considered appropriate for a high-moisture environment, like Bathroom or kitchen. For installation in high-moisture areas, the tiles must be vitreous or impervious.

Apart from water absorption rating, the tiles are also rated for frost resistance. Impervious or vitreous tiles are also frost resistant as they are unable to absorb enough water to freeze.

Coefficient of friction

This factor is very important to determine the slip resistance of a tile. A tile must have a rating of.50 foot pounds for home installations and must be above.60 foot pounds for commercial installation.

When choosing tiles, sometimes we get tempted to buy low quality tiles as they cost less, but it is important to know that low grade tiles need replacement only after few years of installation and lose their beauty too. So, always make sure to buy good quality tiles that too from a reputed tiling company like Siera Stone Ltd.

To start shopping, visit their website- http://sierastone.co.uk/

Siera Stone Ltd is a leading tiling and stone contractor in London, UK.