Porcelain vs ceramic
- Porcelain: denser, lower water absorption — best for floors and outdoors
- Ceramic: fine for light residential floors; verify floor-rated
- Glazed porcelain: easy clean; through-body hides chips better on unglazed edge
PEI wear rating (glazed tile)
- PEI 3: residential floor, light traffic
- PEI 4: general residential including kitchen
- PEI 5: heavy traffic commercial — overkill at home but durable
Slip and size
Bath and entry: look for DCOF ≥ 0.42 wet or textured surface. Large format (12×24, 24×24) means fewer grout lines but demands flatter subfloor and more waste.