Now, with the benefit of hindsight, as well as all the research we did in launching TilesInspired (you tend to dig pretty deep into products specs when you’re about to pour most of you life savings into inventory), we thought we’d try to pass on what we've learned to anybody who’s trying to sift through all the tile information out there.

That's why we decided to launch TilesExplained, with the aim of explaining these terms as simply as possible, while still helping you to understand them thoroughly, so that you can confidently push forward with you interior design vision.

Without further ado, let's jump into today's topic!

What is PEI durability rating?

With the advent of digital printing technology for tile in the last decade or so, much of the porcelain and ceramic tile that you see in stores is glazed. This means that there’s a thin layer of glass-like coating applied to the surface of the tile, often for decorative purposes.

But not all glazes are the same, and perhaps the most important consideration for you is how resistant to repeated abrasion and traffic that glaze going to be. Will it be durable enough to use in the part of my home or business than I’m planning to use it in?

Thankfully, there’s a standardized way that tile manufacturers test and classify the strength of their glazes: the Porcelain Enamel Institute’s abrasion rating, or as you’ll more commonly see, a tile’s PEI rating.

The PEI Durability Rating is the industry standard measure that indicates how resistant a glazed tile is to visible marks caused by repeated wear on the tile. This actually takes into account both the strength of the glaze as well as its colour -- you’ll find that deep, dark colours may have lower PEI ratings than lighter colours, even when the tiles use glazes with the same strength.

The most important takeaway for you is to make sure that the tile surface will be able to withstand the traffic in the space that you’re planning to install your tile, whether that’s a floor, entry hallway, or even a commercial space like a restaurant.

One thing to call out is that you don’t always need to try to buy the tile with the highest PEI rating, just the tile with a high enough rating for your intended use. A lot of beautiful decorative wall tiles are made in a way that results in a more delicate glaze, which is perfectly fine for most walls.

Now that I understand PEI durability rating, where do I find this when shopping tiles?

Most tile manufacturers list the PEI Rating on the tile’s tear sheet and/or its packaging. If you're visiting a digital store like us here, you can find the PEI durability rating in the specifications tab of any product page.

In short...

PEI durability rating helps you assess whether a tile is resistant enough to long-term wear for the space that you're planning to use it in. There are 5 different levels: