Which Tile Goes Where?
No matter what room you want to tile these days, the process of narrowing down your choices is daunting. Tiles come in different sizes, textures and materials including marble, natural stone, glass, mosaic, metal and clay. There are also variety of sub-types such as polished or unpolished, glazed,
Posted — Updated1. PEI Rating: This refers to the hardness and durability of the clay, or porcelain, with the lowest rating of 1 given to tile used in areas of light traffic or for wall applications only. The highest rating of 5 classifies tile manufactured for extra heavy traffic or commercial use.
2. MOH Rating: This scale refers only to the hardness and durability of the glazing, (between 1-10) with anything over 5 designated for flooring applications. Ratings above 7 mean a tile should be able to withstand heavy traffic and use and still resist damage to the surface.
3. Porous or non-porous/glazed or non-glazed: Porous or non-glazed tile has limited applications and used in the wrong space, can be disaster. It's also important to realize the requirements for maintenance and upkeep. For example, slate flooring is absolutely beautiful, but needs regular stripping and resealing to keep it at maximum beauty. Natural unglazed clay or brick tiles make great back splashes, but absorb food and grease splatters easily and are prone to staining.
Next, consider the room itself – what kind of usage does it get? Is it a high traffic area, indoor or outdoor, functional or decorative space? Matching tile to typical usage will be key to making a choice you will love and will be able to live with. Here are some recommendations and warnings:
Flooring: Definitely high traffic areas, so go with high PEI or MOH ratings. This is not an area where porous or unglazed tile will hold up well. Avoid highly polished tiles and choose textured or slip-resistant glazes. Full-body porcelain tiles are excellent choices for kitchens because chipping and wearing is less noticeable.
Back splash: Except for unglazed natural clay or brick in cooking areas, almost anything goes with a back splash. It's a great place to get creative and really spice up a bland kitchen. Again, using a silicone-based grout between tiles will minimize any stains, especially in mosaic applications where grout lines are prominent.
Showers/Floors: The only caveat when choosing tile in a bath is comparing type of tile with the "slip factor." Large, glossy tiles on a floor do not provide resistance to slipping and post a danger when wet. If you prefer some of the fancier marbles or glass tiles, opt for smaller tile sizes – the smaller the better (and safer)! Most mosaics come in sheets for easy installation. Porous and unglazed tiles are an absolute no-go!