The fundamental difference between ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles is the technology behind their production.

Porcelain stoneware is a natural and eco-friendly material obtained from pressing a selected mix of clay, kaolin, sand, feldspar and coloured pigments fired at a temperature of >1,200 degrees Celsius , resulting in vitrification. Porcelain tiles are less porous, with a water absorption of <0.5% and are more durable.

Ceramic tiles are typically made of clay, talc and sand. Ceramic tiles are fired at a temperature of 900 degrees Celsius. They are light-weight and workable. However, due to their properties, there are more restrictions in their application. Ceramic tiles are adequate for walls, but because of their low resistance to fracture and their ability to easily get scratched, they would not work well on floors. In addition, due to the high water absorbency rate (3-7%), ceramic tiles cannot be used outdoors.

A rectified tiles is first fired and then cut into pieces of a similar size. Then the pieces are mechanically finished/ground or cut to precise dimensions and edges. Rectified tiles are the same dimension and are easier to work with. Allowing for very thin grout lines (<3mm), adding to a seamless look.

The slip resistance of a tile is determined by the “R” rating which is the coefficient of dynamic friction. The higher the “R” rating the more slip resistant the tile is.

Non-slip tiles are used in wet areas and outdoors. Most tiles come in a non-slip format, allowing for a smooth transition between wet areas or outdoor areas and the interior.

Tile flooring, that has been installed correctly, does NOT crack easily unless something heavy (we’re talking about a hammer or a 20kg gym weight and not a book) is dropped directly into the floor.

If the substrate, under the tile, is uneven or, in the case of improperly cured concrete, that can lead to the tile cracking. In order to ensure that the floor is even, always use a self-levelling screed as a foundation for your tile.

The thermal load on a building, especially in Namibia were temperatures fluctuate drastically between day and night, leads to a great deal of contraction and expansion. Therefore, we recommend installing perimiter movement joints (at least) and movement joints every 5m (indoors) and 3m (outdoors). Lastly, using a low quality tile, particularly in high-traffic areas, can contribute to cracking and other issues such as wearing of the glaze due to the high abrasive properties of th Namibian dust.

A tile’s lifespan often depends on its quality and whether it was installed and maintained correctly.

Low-quality tiles tend to last not very long, while a high-quality tile, if installed correctly, can last up to 50 years.

The correct installation and choosing a high-quality tile also decreases your project maintenance costs - all you need to do is clean the tile regularly.

Firstly, all full-bodied porcelai tiles are suitable for all applications.

However, when looking at glazed porcelain tiles, one just consider the PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating of the glaze. PEI ratings are determined by measuring the abrasion resistance by a machine which counts the number of revolutions under a standard abrasive load. When the tile shows damage the revolutions are counted, (150 to 1500+) this gives the PEI rating.

PEI 0: Glazed tiles in this class are wall tiles only and unsuitable for use on floors.

PEI 1: Up to 154 revolutions. For use on very light-traffic areas, using soft footwear.

PEI 2: 300, 450, 600 revolutions light-traffic. Very light-traffic areas, mainly bathrooms and using soft-soled or normal footwear.

PEI 3: 750, 900, 1200, 1500 revolutions. Suitable for light to moderate traffic areas such as your average domestic homes.

PEI 4: 1500+ revolutions. Suitable for moderate to heavy traffic areas such as all residential and medium commercial applications.

PEI 5: 12000 revolutions. Suitable for high-traffic areas such as shopping malls, factories and other high-traffic commercial/institutional buildings.

You can find the perfect tile for your next project at Impeccable Tiles. We will guide you through all professional advice for your next tiling project to be immaculate, eye-catching and long-lasting.