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PEI Rating or the Grading of Tiles
PEI Rating or the Grading of Tiles
Porcelain tiles usually have a much lower water absorption rate than ceramic tiles, making them more frost resistant, although not frost proof. Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and have more wear- and damage-resistance than ceramic tiles, making them suitable for any residential and light commercial application.
The current rating system for ceramic tile is the only reliable gauge for consumers to use in determining wear expectations for a particular tile application. The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) has developed a rating scale that can effectively guide any consumer through the process of choosing the right tile for their particular application. This rating system is recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
PEI Class 1 Rating (No foot traffic) - Recommended for wall use only in residential and commercial applications.
PEI Class 2 Rating (Light traffic) - Recommended for both wall use and bathroom floor applications.
PEI Class 3 Rating (Light to moderate traffic) - Recommended for counter tops, walls, and floors where normal foot traffic is expected.
PEI Class 4 Rating (Moderate to heavy traffic) - Recommended for all residential applications as well as medium commercial and light institutional.
PEI Class 5 Rating (Heavy to extra heavy traffic) - Recommended for all residential as well as heavy commercial and institutional applications.
Most porcelain tiles have a PEI rating of 5, which makes them the hardest wearing tiles on the market.
All glazed floor tiles are classified under a PEI rating for the suitability of a location (the YTC have stated the PEI on all product pages where applicable). The ratings range from 1 to 5.
Please note that ‘through body’ porcelain PEI ratings are not available (as they are very hard wearing).
PEI V: Floor coverings that are subject to severe pedestrian traffic over sustained periods with some scratching dirt, so that the conditions are the most severe for which glazed floor tiles may be suitable (e.g. public areas such as shopping centres, hotel foyers).
PEI ratings and Mohs both measure hardness, so what's the difference?
PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) ratings have been used since the 1930s to help determine the hardness and durability of tile. This is crucial because not all tile can be used in all areas. PEI ratings act as a kind of shortcut to decide where the tile can be installed. Tile that experiences much foot traffic should be harder and denser than tile that receives no foot traffic such as wall tile. From a technical perspective PEI ratings are actually determined by a measurement of Abrasion Resistance on a machine which counts the number of revolutions under a standard abrasive load. When the tile shows damage the revolutions are counted which gives the PEI rating.
Mohs ratings (named after geologist Friedrich Mohs in 1812) specifically measure the hardness of the tile glaze on a scale from 1 to 10 with 1 being soft as talc and 10 being as hard as diamond. Mohs is tested using scratching picks with alloy tips that match the traditional minerals of the Mohs Hardness Scale.
The table below gives common objects that can be used to provide similar results in your own shop.The PEI method was developed on the basis that the degree of deterioration of a floor should be determined by the visible difference in appearance between the worn surface and the unworn surface, assessed at a defined distance under standard conditions of lighting. It is important to stress that, for the same degree of abrasion, wear is more noticable on dark surfaces. PEI 0 - Tiles technically unsuitable for floors.PEI 1 - Residential and commercial wall and barefoot traffic. < 154 revolutions.PEI 2 - Wall and residential bath floor, and soft soled traffic. 300, 450, 600 revs.PEI 3 - All residential floors and light commercial floors. 750, 900, 1200, 1500 revs.PEI 4 - Medium commercial, light industrial and institutional, moderate soiling. 1500+ revs.PEI 5 - Extra heavy traffic, abrasive dirt, chemically more resistant. Up to 12000 revs.
The particular number or PEI rating is a measure of the durability of the tile surface only. It does not determine the slip resistance, overall strength, moisture absorption, or quality of the tile itself, only the quality and durability of the surface or glaze. For most residential flooring applications it is always best to go with a PEI rating of three or higher, although two is suitable for some applications.
So, PEI and Mohs both measure hardness but in different ways. PEI measures resistance to visible wear, Mohs measures actual mineral hardness. A PEI number can be a bit vague so look at the actual abrasion resistance in revolutions to see whether the rated tile is at the high or low end of the PEI number.
PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) ratings have been used since the 1930s to help determine the hardness and durability of tile. This is crucial because not all tile can be used in all areas. PEI ratings act as a kind of shortcut to decide where the tile can be installed. Tile that experiences much foot traffic should be harder and denser than tile that receives no foot traffic such as wall tile. From a technical perspective PEI ratings are actually determined by a measurement of Abrasion Resistance on a machine which counts the number of revolutions under a standard abrasive load. When the tile shows damage the revolutions are counted which gives the PEI rating.
Mohs ratings (named after geologist Friedrich Mohs in 1812) specifically measure the hardness of the tile glaze on a scale from 1 to 10 with 1 being soft as talc and 10 being as hard as diamond. Mohs is tested using scratching picks with alloy tips that match the traditional minerals of the Mohs Hardness Scale.
The table below gives common objects that can be used to provide similar results in your own shop.The PEI method was developed on the basis that the degree of deterioration of a floor should be determined by the visible difference in appearance between the worn surface and the unworn surface, assessed at a defined distance under standard conditions of lighting. It is important to stress that, for the same degree of abrasion, wear is more noticable on dark surfaces. PEI 0 - Tiles technically unsuitable for floors.PEI 1 - Residential and commercial wall and barefoot traffic. < 154 revolutions.PEI 2 - Wall and residential bath floor, and soft soled traffic. 300, 450, 600 revs.PEI 3 - All residential floors and light commercial floors. 750, 900, 1200, 1500 revs.PEI 4 - Medium commercial, light industrial and institutional, moderate soiling. 1500+ revs.PEI 5 - Extra heavy traffic, abrasive dirt, chemically more resistant. Up to 12000 revs.
The particular number or PEI rating is a measure of the durability of the tile surface only. It does not determine the slip resistance, overall strength, moisture absorption, or quality of the tile itself, only the quality and durability of the surface or glaze. For most residential flooring applications it is always best to go with a PEI rating of three or higher, although two is suitable for some applications.
So, PEI and Mohs both measure hardness but in different ways. PEI measures resistance to visible wear, Mohs measures actual mineral hardness. A PEI number can be a bit vague so look at the actual abrasion resistance in revolutions to see whether the rated tile is at the high or low end of the PEI number.
Shade Variation Chart
Shade Variation Chart
V1 UNIFORM APPEARANCE Difference among the pieces from the same production run are minimal.
V2 SLIGHT VARIATION Clearly distinguishable texture and/or pattern within similar colors.
V3 MODERATE VARIATION While the colors present on a single piece of tile will be indicative of the color on all tiles, the colors on each piece may vary significantly from tile to tile.
V4 SUBSTANTIAL VARIATION Random color differences from tile to tile, so that some tiles may feature completely different colors from those on other tiles. This variation creates an artful and unique installation.
Water absorption table
Water absorption table
Table for reference - industry standard
B1a: 0.5%
B1b: 1-3%
B2a: 3-6%
B2b: 6-10%
Slip Rating Comparison
Slip Rating Comparison
Cleaning & Maintenance of Tiles
Cleaning & Maintenance of Tiles
MATERIAL SUPPLIER : SPECKLEEN PTY LTD – AND NORTHERN WHOLESALE TILES
CONTACT : IAN HABIB 082 410 6181
WEBSITE ADDRESS: http://www.speckleen.co.za/solutions-treatments-porcelain.html
THE SPECIFICATION IS PER THE ITERATION BELOW :
Solutions & Treatments - Porcelain
PURGING, CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE OF PORCELAIN
After tiles have been laid allow sufficient time as per the tile adhesive supplier's specifications for the grout and adhesive to cure sufficiently so that the purging system will not inflict any damage to the grout or adhesive. Always use protective equipment for eyes, hands and feet.
PURGING OF PORCELAIN
A: Manual purging
Apply a dilution of SPECKLEEN® ACON™ diluted between 1:5 and 1:10 depending on the degree of cementitious residue by mop to the affected area. Glazed porcelain is usually treated with a 1:20 to 1:30 solution.
Using a single disc scrubbing machine with a blue pad or natural fibre brush remove the contamination.Rinse with clean water and remove all residues by means of wet extraction machine.
If cleaning by hand, ensure that the cleaner has rubber or latex gloves, eye and adequate foot protection.
If skin becomes irritated, wash with copious amounts of clean water.
B: Auto scrubber purging
Add a dilution of SPECKLEEN® ACON™ diluted as above depending on the degree of cementitious residue to the dispersion tank of the auto scrubbing machine.
Use with blue pads or natural fibre bristle brush attachment.
Move over the affected area slowly allowing the SPECKLEEN® ACON™ to have sufficient contact time with the substrate.
Where very bad soilage is encountered, lay down a solution of SPECKLEEN® ACON™ first and then come back after giving it time to react with the floor using the above auto scrubber system.
Rinse with clean water and remove all residues by means of wet extraction machine.
Ensure that the cleaner has rubber or latex gloves and eye and foot protection.
Profiled Porcelain
Follow the above system except where the tile has an uneven surface profile. In this case it may be necessary to repeat the exercise.
NOTES:
- SPECKLEEN® ACON cleaner can damage sensitive surfaces like marble etc
- SPECKLEEN® ACON will clean grout joints
- Scrub joints with a soft broom or natural fibre scrubbing brush
- SPECKLEEN® ACON does not contain any form of Hydrochloric acid
- It cannot and will not damage correctly grouted joints
MAINTENANCE
Manual cleaning
Daily:
Sweep daily using a SPECKLEEN® Masslin dust remover.
Spot clean the soiled areas with either FLEXCLEAN or ON GUARD.
applied with a micro fibre applicator or mop.
For sterile cleaning use SPECKLEEN® ENVIRO 500.
Weekly:
Following the same procedure outlined above apply FLEXCLEAN or ON GUARD.
applied with a SPECKLEEN® micro fibre applicator or mop.
Rinse with clean water.
For sterile cleaning use SPECKLEEN® ENVIRO 500
Autoscrubber
Add a solution of NO SKIDDING® FLEXCLEAN or SPECKLEEN® Q500 N/F in dilution 1:100 to the dispertion tank.
Use micro fibre pads on smooth surfaces.
Rinse with clean water.
NOTE: Use NO SKIDDING® ON GUARD for greasy areas.
Use NO SKIDDING® FLEXCLEAN ANTIBAC or SPECKLEEN® ENVIRO 500 anti bac
for sterile cleaning in food, ablution and sterile areas.
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