Porcelain & Ceramic Tile Installation Locations

For thousands of years, porcelain and ceramic tile has thrived in all kinds of uses and locations. Follow these steps to choose the right tile.

Let a little rain fall

The process of installing outdoor tiles is similar to installing indoor tiles, the choice of the tile being the primary concern.

Outdoor tiles are subject to a bigger amount of water than indoor tiles, so they are more resistant to water damage. It is critical that the amount of air under the tiles is minimum, otherwise water can enter and weaken the adhesion to the under flooring.

Indoor tiles placed in areas with higher risks of water splashing, such as a kitchen or a bathroom, also require waterproofing.

Both indoor and outdoor tiles can be ceramic, porcelain or stone, but tiles rated for exterior use are best used outdoors in order to avoid long-term problems. For areas with higher risk of getting wet, unglazed tiles are preferred to minimize the chance of slipping.

Tread carefully

When choosing floor tiles, be sure to choose thicker and denser ones. These attributes are required to handle foot traffic. Each tile has a Porcelain Enamel Institute scale, or PEI class, which tells how much foot traffic the respective tile can withstand. A rating between 0 and 2 is specific to decorative tiles, while a rating between 3 and 5 means that it can handle heavier traffic.

PEI ratings

Class 0 – No foot traffic. Wall tile only. Should not be used on floors.

Class 1 – Very light traffic. Use with stocking or bare feet, such as in a master bathroom.

Class 2 – Light traffic. Use with slippers, such as in an upstairs bathroom or bedroom.

Class 3 – Light to moderate traffic. Most residential areas, except, maybe kitchens and foyers.

Class 4 – Moderate to heavy traffic. High foot traffic inside and areas where abrasive or outside dirt could be tracked.

Class 5 – Heavy traffic. Suggested for commercial, institutional and residential floors.