Various Tile Ratings

Ratings:

  

 Interior Exterior Residential Commercial
Porcelain Institute:
Wearability 		  Light traffic (bathrooms) Medium traffic (most living areas) Heavy traffic (kitchen, entry, laundry) Light Medium Heavy-duty, Wet areas
I
       Y NR NR N N N
II
       Y Y NR N N N
III
       Y Y Y Y N N
IV
       Y Y Y Y Y NR
V
       Y Y Y Y Y Y
MOHS Values
(hardness)
1, 2, 3, 4
  Y NR Y Y NR N N N
5, 6, 7
  Y NR Y Y Y Y NR NR
8, 9, 10
  Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Water Absorption
Impervious
(<0.5% absorption) 		  Y Y
(frost-proof)		            
Vitreous
(< 3% absorption)		   Y Y
(frost-resistant, not frost-proof) 		           
Semi-Vitreous
(3% to 7% absorption)
  Y N            
Non-Vitreous
(>7% absorption)
  Y N            
    Notes:
                  
  • Y=Yes; N=No; R=Recommended; NR=Not recommended; NA=Not applicable;
  • Tile Density—A denser, heavier tile is a stronger tile .
    Moisture Absorption—Tile density and moisture absorption have an indirect relationship to each other. As density increases, the amount of moisture that a tile can absorb decreases.
  • Ceramic and porcelain tiles are made of similar materials, are available glazed or unglazed, and are fired in kilns at very high temperatures. Of the two, porcelain tile has a higher density (with a water absorption rate of 0.5% or less) and is a stronger, more durable tile, but ceramic tiles are easier to cut and easier to lay.