Comments on: Determining the Surface Durability of a Tile http://floorelf.com/determining-the-surface-durability-of-a-tile Help with all your tile needs (and extreme jackassery!) Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:37:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Roger http://floorelf.com/determining-the-surface-durability-of-a-tile/comment-page-1#comment-3596 Roger Sun, 03 Jul 2011 00:38:35 +0000 http://floorelf.com/?p=442#comment-3596 Hi Kimberly, You'll need to look at a couple of different aspects of any tile you're choosing and use the applicable numbers to determine whether or not it's suited to your little mini-zoo. :D I would suggest looking at different porcelains, a class III porcelain tile would be the way to go. The aspects of any porcelain you find that you need to pay attention to are the Mohs hardness and the COF number. You can read through my post about <a href="http://floorelf.com/which-tile-to-choose" rel="nofollow">choosing the correct tile</a> for an explanation of COF. The Mohs scale is a bit trickier, the exact number doesn't always translate to what you are looking for so it will be more relative to the overall aspects of the tile. In other words it would be the least exacting factor on which to base your decision. Mohs scales go from one to ten - the higher the number the harder the surface. Look for a porcelain around 6.8 - 7.0. A high mohs number coupled with a good COF should give you a very durable porcelain which may outlast the noisy bird. :D Hi Kimberly,

You’ll need to look at a couple of different aspects of any tile you’re choosing and use the applicable numbers to determine whether or not it’s suited to your little mini-zoo. :D I would suggest looking at different porcelains, a class III porcelain tile would be the way to go. The aspects of any porcelain you find that you need to pay attention to are the Mohs hardness and the COF number. You can read through my post about choosing the correct tile for an explanation of COF.

The Mohs scale is a bit trickier, the exact number doesn’t always translate to what you are looking for so it will be more relative to the overall aspects of the tile. In other words it would be the least exacting factor on which to base your decision. Mohs scales go from one to ten – the higher the number the harder the surface. Look for a porcelain around 6.8 – 7.0. A high mohs number coupled with a good COF should give you a very durable porcelain which may outlast the noisy bird. :D

]]> By: Kimberly http://floorelf.com/determining-the-surface-durability-of-a-tile/comment-page-1#comment-3595 Kimberly Sun, 03 Jul 2011 00:08:48 +0000 http://floorelf.com/?p=442#comment-3595 Would like suggestions on flavor of tiles. I am putting it in a heavy traffic room...I will be rolling heavy parrot cages across it, the dogs will be running across it as will the children. So heavy dirt and the occasional heavy crockery thrown down. I need slip resistance and if you could suggest one that is less echoey as the cockatoo yell is loud enough without it being magnified by flooring, also one that helps solve world peace or the energy crisis. Would like suggestions on flavor of tiles. I am putting it in a heavy traffic room…I will be rolling heavy parrot cages across it, the dogs will be running across it as will the children. So heavy dirt and the occasional heavy crockery thrown down. I need slip resistance and if you could suggest one that is less echoey as the cockatoo yell is loud enough without it being magnified by flooring, also one that helps solve world peace or the energy crisis.

]]> By: Roger http://floorelf.com/determining-the-surface-durability-of-a-tile/comment-page-1#comment-2484 Roger Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:17:40 +0000 http://floorelf.com/?p=442#comment-2484 Hi Debbie, There are actually two different sets of numbers to consider - the vertical surfaces (shower walls) and the horizontal surfaces (anything you walk on). The vertical surfaces would be fine with a PEI above II, a Mohs of 4, SCOF of 3 dry or wet, and an absorption rate of less than 0.5% (porcelain). The horizontal surfaces are a bit more tricky since you'll be walking on wet tile. I like a PEI above III, a Mohs of 4 or 5, SCOF of 4 dry, 5 or 6 wet, and an absorption rate of less than 0.5% (porcelain). All these number are subjective, though! Marble breaks just about every one of those to a less than ideal condition, but marble bathrooms have lasted thousands of years. It is entirely dependent on your particular bathroom. How much maintenance do you want to put in? How often do you want to deep clean? How many kids do you have that will slip on it? How many pets do you have that will scratch it? Do you live near a beach where sand is a common material being grinded underfoot? See what I mean - subjective. Hi Debbie,

There are actually two different sets of numbers to consider – the vertical surfaces (shower walls) and the horizontal surfaces (anything you walk on).

The vertical surfaces would be fine with a PEI above II, a Mohs of 4, SCOF of 3 dry or wet, and an absorption rate of less than 0.5% (porcelain).

The horizontal surfaces are a bit more tricky since you’ll be walking on wet tile. I like a PEI above III, a Mohs of 4 or 5, SCOF of 4 dry, 5 or 6 wet, and an absorption rate of less than 0.5% (porcelain).

All these number are subjective, though! Marble breaks just about every one of those to a less than ideal condition, but marble bathrooms have lasted thousands of years. It is entirely dependent on your particular bathroom. How much maintenance do you want to put in? How often do you want to deep clean? How many kids do you have that will slip on it? How many pets do you have that will scratch it? Do you live near a beach where sand is a common material being grinded underfoot?

See what I mean – subjective.

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