Whilst traditionally, small ceramic tiles were used for wall applications and big porcelain tiles were used for flooring, in today’s tiling market this is not necessarily the case.

Improved technology and design trends have allowed these house decor essentials to become more versatile. To better distinguish the quality of potential tiles, ask your tiler about the PEI ratings. The PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) ratings are used to assess the durability and wear resistance of a tile. PEI 0 are only for wall tiles while 1 to 5 ratings are for wall and floor applications.

PEI 0 - are applicable only to walls.
PEI 1 - are used as wall, worktops and bedroom floor tiles subject to light footfall.
PEI 2 - are used for busy areas with moderate footfall, bedroom and bathroom floor tiles.
PEI 3 - are used in busy areas such as kitchens, hallways and living spaces.
PEI 4 - are perfect for residential and light commercial spaces with intense footfall, such as offices, bars and restaurants.
PEI 5 - are very durable and perfect for industrial and public spaces like airports and malls.

Don’t be limited in your wall options since modern floor tiles (PEI 1 and above) can readily be used as wall tiles. Just consider the strength of your wall and the adhesives you’re going to use. For further advice on the latest trends, browse our listing of floor and wall tilers. A wide selection of modern cheap floor tiles and room wall tiles are available so keep searching.