PEI Wear Resistance Classes of Porcelain Stoneware: Guide for Commercial Project Outfitters

A mistake in choosing floor coverings for a commercial space can cost hundreds of thousands of hryvnias. If porcelain stoneware in an active shopping center or restaurant begins to wear out, crack, or lose color, the owner has to stop business for repairs. To avoid this, architects and project outfitters rely on a strict international standard — the PEI wear resistance class.

Experts from the national B2B distributor GC "Antey" have prepared a detailed technical guide. We will analyze how to correctly read the marking of porcelain stoneware so that the coating serves for decades under extreme traffic conditions.

What is the PEI rating and why is it critical for business?

PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) is an international indicator of the resistance of glazed tiles to abrasion. It is determined in laboratory conditions: the surface of the tile is exposed to an abrasive roller, imitating the steps of people with sand and dirt on their soles. Depending on the number of revolutions at which visible damage appears, the material is assigned a class from I to V.

PEI Classification: Which porcelain stoneware can withstand your traffic?

For commercial projects, only classes starting from III are considered. Using lower classes is a direct violation of operating technology.

Selection specifics for different types of commercial spaces

Shopping Malls and Supermarkets: Extreme Loads

For shopping centers, where tens of thousands of people with abrasives (sand) on their shoes pass daily, and cleaning equipment is constantly running, glazed porcelain stoneware is often entirely unsuitable.
Expert solution: Use homogeneous (unglazed) full-body porcelain stoneware. In such a material, the pattern passes through the entire thickness of the tile (from 10 mm). Even if the top layer wears off by a millimeter in 10 years, the color and texture will remain unchanged. Class — exclusively PEI V.

Restaurants and HoReCa: Aesthetics plus safety

In food establishments, the load is distributed unevenly. The main traffic is concentrated near the bar counter and at the entrances to the restrooms.
Expert solution: For dining halls, designer wood-look or stone-look porcelain stoneware of PEI IV class is suitable. For professional kitchens, the main criterion is not only PEI but also acid resistance (class A or AA) and an anti-slip coefficient of no less than R11-R12 to avoid staff injuries on a wet and greasy floor.

Office Centers: Localized Abrasion

The main enemy of the office floor is not dirt from the street, but the wheels of office chairs that rub the exact same spot for years.
Expert solution: PEI IV porcelain stoneware. It is advisable to avoid perfectly glossy surfaces (polished porcelain stoneware), as micro-scratches from chairs will become noticeable on them in just a few months. Choose matte or lappato (semi-polished) textures.

Not just PEI: 3 factors often forgotten during outfitting

• Anti-slip (R-rating): For entrance groups and steps, a rating from R10 to R13 (structured surface) is mandatory. A smooth glossy tile at the entrance turns into a skating rink in winter, threatening lawsuits from visitors.
• Rectification: For commercial use, choose exclusively rectified porcelain stoneware (with perfectly evenly cut edges). It is laid with a minimal grout line (1.5-2 mm). A smaller joint means less dirt accumulation and easier operation for cleaning equipment.
• Format: Large-format porcelain stoneware (60x120, 80x80, and more) speeds up installation over large areas and reduces the number of joints, making the coating more monolithic.

GC "Antey" — your reliable partner in project outfitting

The "Antey" Group of Companies provides direct wholesale supplies of porcelain stoneware for construction companies, developers, and architectural bureaus. We understand the specifics of commercial properties, therefore we provide:

• Material selection according to your budget and technical specifications.
• Uninterrupted logistics from our own warehouses (over 20,000 m² of stock).
• Provision of a full package of quality certificates required for commissioning the facility.