PEI Rating

All glazed ceramic tiles are classified under a Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating. This rating determines the durability and hardness of the tile and also the suitability of fixing in different locations.

In recent years the 1-4 classification has been extended by adding the test used for hardwearing through coloured unglazed tiles. Tiles that pass that more aggressive testing regime, whether glazed or unglazed, are shown here as Class 5.

Class 1 - Light Residential Traffic Wall tiles. Floor tiles suited to residential areas where soft footwear is worn without abrasive dirt i.e. bathrooms or bedrooms.
Class 2 - Average Traffic, Low abrasion Wall tiles. Floor tiles suited to light to moderate traffic areas with the exception of those subject to direct outdoor traffic. Suitable examples include living rooms and study rooms.
Class 3 - Light Commercial, Maximum Residential Wall tiles. Suitable for all residential floor areas experiencing normal foot traffic. Suitable for commercial areas including newsagents, retail and office spaces.
Class 4 - Moderate-Heavy Commercial Wall tiles. Suitable for most public floor spaces. Examples include hotel lobbies and supermarkets.
Class 5 - Heaviest Commercial & Industrial Uses Wall tiles. Suggested for the most intense traffic on floors. Ideal for heavy traffic areas and where there may be grit and dirt abrading surfaces e.g. airports, the busiest shopping centres, external piazzas, industrial and production areas.