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Ceramic Tile Grades

Ceramic Tile Grades provided by ServiceMagic.com.

Ceramic tile ratings are set up in a grading system of 1 to 5, based on the tile's toughness and durability. It's a good thing to educate yourself on the different tile grades, as choosing the right tile for a specific application can be make or break when it comes your tile lasting as long as possible.

An Explanation of Ceramic Tile Ratings
The 1 to 5 tile rating applies only to one aspect of tile: visible surface abrasion resistance, which is fancy talk for how readily scratches show on the tile's surface. A tile rating of 5 is the toughest in terms of standing up to scratching, dirt and traffic, one is the easiest to damage. See below for a quick breakdown of the 1 to 5 ceramic tile ratings system:

  • Grade 1: This is the weakest of all standard grade ceramic tiles. It's really only suitable as a wall tile.

  • Grade 2: This is best for light traffic areas. Again, a great product for wall tiles, but it will also work in residential bathrooms, where foot traffic is minimal.

  • Grade 3: Where ceramic tile ratings are concerned, grade three is most common in residential building, and perfect for light to moderate traffic. This makes it a very sensible choice for residential kitchens, countertops, residential flooring, and all areas that receive lighter wear and tear (i.e., grade 1 and 2 areas).

  • Grade 4: This grade is a step up from grade 3 tile grades. It's still a good choice for residential uses, such as tile floors and countertops, but it can also take the heavier abuse of light commercial foot traffic, such as you'd find in a doctor's office.

  • Grade 5: This stuff is as tough as it gets. When it comes to standard grade ceramic tiles, grade 5 is built to take a beating. It's mostly used in high traffic commercial areas such as shopping malls and airports.

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