How to Choose the Right Tile

It’s hard to beat the beauty and sheer durability of tile, but these days, homeowners have such a variety of tiles to choose from, picking the right tile for the job can be easier said than done. It’s not bad enough that one has to pick between porcelain and a myriad of natural stones, but then there’s all those PEI ratings!

Here, Southland’s GA builders explain the key differences so you can take the guess work out of choosing the right tile for your project.

What are PEI Ratings?

The PEI rating system was designed by the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) to help consumers choose the appropriate tile for their application. This class rating system outlines the wear expectations for the particular tile and it is the only such rating system recognized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The current PEI rating system includes:

• PEI Class 1 Rating – Recommended for wall use only in residential and commercial applications.
• PEI Class 2 Rating – Recommended for both wall use and light traffic bathroom floor applications.
• PEI Class 3 Rating – Recommended for countertops, walls, and floors where light to moderate (normal) foot traffic is expected.
• PEI Class 4 Rating – Recommended for all residential applications, medium commercial, and light institutional where moderate to heavy foot traffic is expected.
• PEI Class 5 Rating – Recommended for all residential as well as heavy commercial and institutional applications where heavy to extra heavy traffic is expected.

The majority of porcelain tiles on the market feature a PEI Class 5 Rating, making them among the hardest wearing tiles available. In comparison, non-porcelain ceramic tiles, like those made from red or white clay, typically feature PEI Class Ratings anywhere from 1 to 3. As a result, non-porcelain ceramic tiles cost less than porcelain tiles.

Natural Stone Tiles

There are several different types of natural stones used to make tiles, including slate, granite, limestone, marble, and travertine.

• Slate – Slate is a very dense natural stone typically cultivated from sedimentary rock shale. Because it is comprised mostly of micas, chlorite, and quartz, it is most commonly associated with flooring and roofing installations, but recently it has found a home on kitchen countertops and wet bars.
• Granite – Granite is a very hard stone that’s made from the melting of sediments within deep below the Earth’s surface. Because granite is a quartz-based product, it usually exhibits rich patterns and grains and because it is formed under intense pressures and temperatures, it is extremely durable.
• Limestone – Limestone tiles are not as dense as some other materials so they are not recommended for areas where they can take a beating. But, because limestone can be polished to a high shine, tile made from it is a popular choice for structural walls, entry walls, floors, fireplace surrounds, vanities, and shower walls.
• Marble – Marble is one of the most popular choices of natural stone tile because of its beauty. But, marble is a softer stone than granite, so it is best reserved for applications like tub surrounds, bathroom walls and flooring, fireplace surrounds, and sculptures. It shouldn’t really be used as a kitchen countertop unless it is honed and sealed as it is a porous stone.
• Travertine – Travertine is a type of limestone/marble that’s less dense and highly porous. Like limestone, it can be polished to a vibrant shine, and this makes the material ideal for shower walls, tub decks, entry walls, floors, fireplace surrounds, vanities, and mosaics. Because it is a softer material and can be easily scratched, Travertine is not recommended for kitchen countertop use.

Regardless of which natural stone tile you choose, you will be required to seal the surface periodically in order to maintain the stone’s beauty and resilience.

Southland Custom Homes can give your home the perfect finishing touch with your choice of natural, porcelain, or non-porcelain tile. To learn more about the options available from our GA builders, just visit one of our model showrooms located in Macon (3956 Bloomfield Village Drive, Macon, GA 31206), Dawsonville (837 GA 400 S, Dawsonville, GA 30534), and Marietta (265 N. Cobb PKWY, Marietta, GA 30062). Stop by today to see all that Southland has to offer!