Water absorption: the number that matters most
Water absorption tells you how porous the tile body is. Porcelain absorbs 0.5 percent or less, which makes it strong, frost-proof and suitable for wet areas and outdoors. Ordinary ceramic absorbs much more, usually 3 to 10 percent, which is fine for indoor walls and dry floors.
The simple shop test is to turn a tile over and put a drop of water on the unglazed back. If the drop soaks in within a minute, the body is porous. If it beads and sits, the tile is dense. Ask to see the box label too, which should show the absorption group.
Flatness and size accuracy
A tile that is not flat leaves lippage, the raised edge you catch with your toe. Lay two tiles face to face and look along the joint: gaps in the middle or at the corners show warping. Run a steel ruler across the diagonal and check for daylight under it.
Size accuracy matters just as much. Measure four tiles from the same box side by side and compare them with a tape. Differences above one or two millimetres produce uneven joints. The box should show the calibre, which is the actual size code of the batch.
Glaze and surface
Scratch the glazed face lightly with a key or coin. A good glaze resists the scratch, while a soft glaze takes a mark. Look at the surface under a light for pinholes, bubbles and ripples, which show up clearly once the floor is laid.
Tap the tile gently with a knuckle or a coin edge. A clear ring means a dense body, while a dull thud suggests a weak or cracked one. Hold two tiles of the same design together to see if the pattern lines up from tile to tile.
PEI rating and strength
The PEI rating measures how well the glaze resists wear on a scale of 1 to 5. PEI 1 and 2 suit walls and bedrooms with light barefoot use. PEI 3 is the usual choice for living rooms and bedrooms with shoe traffic. PEI 4 and 5 are meant for kitchens, corridors, shops and entrances.
Breaking strength is also printed on technical sheets for porcelain. If a seller cannot tell you the PEI rating, treat the tile as a wall tile until you see proof.
Batch, shade and grade
Each box carries a batch number, a shade code and a calibre code. Check that every box you buy matches. Tiles from different batches can differ in colour and size even when the design name is the same.
Many imported tiles are sold as first choice, second choice or mixed grades. Lower grades are cheaper and can be fine for a store room, but a living room needs first choice. Have the grade written on your quotation, and open a box at delivery to check.
Price signals and traps
A price far below the market usually means a lower grade, mixed batches, thinner body or old stock. Compare tiles at equal size, thickness and grade, not at equal name. Also compare price per box together with coverage per box: a cheaper box that covers less area is not cheaper.
Beware of shops that refuse to open a box, give no grade, or cannot show the batch label.
What quality tiles cost
Typical material rates in Pakistan by quality level are below. Fixing labour is separate.
| Quality level | Rate (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Basic ceramic floor tile | PKR 90 - 150 |
| Good ceramic or porcelain | PKR 140 - 260 |
| Premium porcelain | PKR 260 - 450 |
| Imported premium | PKR 450 - 1,500 |
| Fixing labour, per sq ft | PKR 40 - 120 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the drop test on the unglazed back, scratch the glaze with a key, tap the tile for a clear ring, and lay two tiles face to face to look for warping. Also read the batch, shade and calibre codes on the box and open one box before buying.
Porcelain with PEI 3 or higher and a matt or satin finish suits most floors, and it handles heat and cleaning well. Ceramic works on walls and in low-traffic rooms. Check water absorption, which should be 0.5 percent or less for porcelain.
No. Price depends on brand, finish and size as well as quality. Compare tiles at the same size, grade and absorption rating. A mid-priced first-choice porcelain from a single batch often beats a costly tile of unknown grade, so test and read the box label before judging by price.
Usually the base was weak or damp, the adhesive coverage was thin, or the tile itself was warped or porous. Test the tile before buying, and ask the fixer to use a proper adhesive with full coverage on a level, dry base, with spacers and expansion gaps at the walls.
It rates glaze wear resistance from 1 to 5. Use 1 or 2 on walls, 3 in homes with light shoe traffic, and 4 or 5 in kitchens, corridors, entrances and shops where grit and heavy use wear the surface quickly.
Yes. We supply first-choice tiles from stock and deliver across Pakistan, with the batch, shade and calibre noted on the quotation. Send your room size and a photo on WhatsApp and we will quote the exact tile, with the warranty listed.