How to Determine the Grade of Glaze on Your Tile

Glazed Ceramic Tile

• Glazed ceramic tile, also know as vitreous tile, is created when a thin layer of liquid glass, or the glaze, is applied to the tile before being kiln-fired. Glazing allows for tiles of virtually any color or design. However, not all glazed tiles are suitable for the same use. Heavily glazed tiles, which may be slippery, should be used for walls, not flooring.

Floor Tile Grading

• While there are five specific grades of floor tiles in the U.S. designated by Roman numerals, Grade I tile is rarely manufactured. Grade II tiles suit interior residential uses for light traffic. The typical bathroom floor contains Grade II tiles. Install Grade III tiles in residential areas receiving higher traffic, such as the kitchen. These tiles may also be used for light commercial use, where the traffic is not much higher than a residence. For regular commercial use, choose a Grade IV tile. These tiles are commonly found in supermarkets and similar operations. For industrial use, the heavy-duty Grade V tile is appropriate.

Determining the Tile Grade

• Choosing the right tile would be easier if the grades were stamped on the tile's packaging. However, this is rarely the case. The buyer must depend on the knowledge and experience of the tile dealer to ensure he is getting the correct grade for the proposed use. For best results, purchase tile at established dealers that can answer your questions and sell you the proper product. This may not be true at a home-supply store that also sells tile or a discount venture. Find someone who specializes in tile for the best odds of buying the right glazed tile for your needs.

Porcelain Tiles

• Porcelain tiles are processed using the pressed-dust method. While ceramic tiles are made from white or red clays, porcelain tiles originate with porcelain clays. Porcelain tiles, denser than ceramic tiles, have a water absorption rate of less than 1 percent, compared to between 3 and 7 percent for ceramic tiles. This makes porcelain tiles a good choice for outdoor areas, including around the pool. Because they absorb little water, they are more slip and frost-resistant, if not frost-proof, than ceramic tiles.