Ceramic tile floors are ideal for the home or business, as there are multiple PEI grades for each use. The PEI scale is a number between 0 and 5, which is used to tell where a tile can be used. Ceramic tile floors that will be used in a very high traffic area should have a PEI rating of 4 or 5 to withstand the traffic and keep their appearance and hold up under the pressure. Those ceramic tile floors that have a rating of less than 3 should only be used in areas that are not traveled often such as bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms in the home or offices and storage rooms in businesses.
There are many types of ceramic floor tiles that are suggested for use in homes or businesses based on their PEI rating. Some of the most popular ceramic floor tiles and their uses will be highlighted, based on popularity.
The Keraben Yosemite collection of tiles is one of the most popular ceramic floor tiles for home or business use. These tiles are offered in four different colors, each of which appears as a different type of wood grain. These Spanish made tiles offer a PEI of 4, and have a water absorption rate of 0.04%, which means that normal water amounts on the floor will not be absorbed. Regular cleaning with water and a drying cloth are required to keep the surface looking superb for years to come. These tiles can be found through multiple suppliers on the Internet for varying costs per box.
Ceramic floor tile styles that are the most popular include limestone, granite, marble, slate, porcelain and travertine. The reason these are the most popular is that they require very little maintenance with the exception of a damp cloth for cleaning and regular sweeping of the area. The next most popular style of ceramic tiles are the Armstrong brand. There are multiple designs and colors available, but the best seller in these tiles is the Camino Mosaic. These tiles are glazed ceramic tiles, and offer a straight edge, with a textured surface. The Camino Mosaic has a matte finish with mild variations in shade from tile to tile. Each tile has a thickness of 9.5 mm and is available in 12 by 12 inch tiles. These tiles offer multiple shades of earth tones on each tile in small square fashion. Commonly found in bathrooms and office buildings, this tile is by far the best seller of the Armstrong brand.
The next most popular tile is the Armstrong Perla Marble tile. This tile is a pale color that works well in bathrooms, kitchens, office buildings and large areas with earth tone color décor. This tile offers a straight edge with a smooth satin texture and gloss level, with moderate variations in colors. These tiles are available in multiple sizes to suit your needs, and come in thicknesses between 9 and 9.20 mm each. Prices per box will vary based on the site visited.