User:541fg51fdg15s

As a tile professional and owner of an online tile store, the difference between ceramic tile and [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Polished Porcelain tiles] tile has become a common question that comes up on a daily basis. I often hear a consumer say, "I need [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Porcelain tiles] tile because if it chips nobody will notice because the color goes all the way through." Well, this is only true in through body [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Porcelain tiles] tiles, and they are not the most common [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Porcelain tiles] tiles. The most common form of tile is glazed [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Porcelain tiles] tile. It is the most affordable but the color does not go all the way through.

When I hear a customer say something along these lines it is time to ask myself a question. Should I explain or educate? In this article I will attempt to do both.

First off [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Porcelain tiles] is a much denser tile than ceramic and less likely to chip. Also it's absorption rate is less, which makes it frost resistant and suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations.* But if a glazed [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Porcelain tiles] tile chips, you will see the [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Porcelain tiles]. In many cases buying a [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Porcelain tiles] tile for a residential product is overdoing it and a ceramic tile will do just fine for your project.

Every tile, ceramic or [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Polished Porcelain tiles], has a PEI rating. The PEI rating should be the determining factor in making your final decision, not whether the tile is ceramic or [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Porcelain tiles]. The PEI rating will tell us how resistant a tile is to chipping or scratching. Below are the PEI ratings and the recommended use for each rating.

Rating Usage

PEI 1 Suitable for indoor walls only. Will chip and scratch easily. PEI 2 Suitable for light traffic floors and walls. PEI 3 Suitable for all residential applications. PEI 4 Suitable for light commercial and residential applications. PEI 5 Suitable for heavy commercial applications.

Almost all 12x12 ceramic tiles are rated PEI 3 or better making them suitable for all residential applications including kitchens. So don't say no to a ceramic tile that would look great in your home because of it's composition. Ask about the PEI rating and let that influence your final decision.

EDITORIAL: If your kitchen is anything like mine it falls into the light commercial category so I like to recommend my tile store customers use a PEI 4 ceramic or [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Porcelain tiles] tile for those applications. We all know a glass or a plate is going to drop eventually, and who wants to spend their Sunday repairing a tile or worse yet hiring someone else to fix a tile. In all the other rooms in the home I would choose the tile that looks the best and fits into my budget. (PEI 3 or better of course.)

• Some glazed [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Porcelain tiles] tile and through body [www.tilefactoryoutlet.org Porcelain tiles] tile are only rated for enclosed outdoor applications and you consult the manufacturer specifications before installing. This is especially true in locations where winters are harsh.