Get it right when choosing ceramic tiles

Published: 12th February 2010

Many people think that buying ceramic tiles is as simple as picking the right colour to go with their kitchens or bathrooms, but it can actually be a bit more complicated than that. However, if you read and understand the following tips and bear them in mind before buying your ceramic tiles, you can actually just concentrate on getting the colour just right.

Practical advice

Single-fired or double-fired ceramic tiles? There are two ways of ‘firing' tiles (baking them atvery high temperatures): monocottura and bicottura. The first of these means single-fired, which is where ceramic tiles are baked just once, making them denser and more durable for use as floor tiles. Double-fired, bicottura tiles are fired twice; once as normal and the second time to set a glaze upon the surface. These are good for use as wall tiles or splashbacks due to their attractiveness.

PEI ratings - Bear in mind that ceramic tiles are graded according to hardness, slip-resistance, and resistance to abrasion and impact. A Class 1 PEI rating means the tile is not suitable for foot traffic and should only be used on walls, whereas a Class 5 rating indicates that the tile is fine to be used on walls and on floors which experience extra heavy foot traffic.

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