Other than hardness, a particular and important consideration for High tech porcelain tile is moisture absorption.

Water absorption rates are a measurement of how much moisture a specific type of high tech porcelain tile is likely to absorb on an ongoing basis. Some types of tile may crack if the moisture penetration is too high. Descriptions of the types of porcelain tile most suitable for your project comprise of four ratings, and are classified as under:

Wall tile (Low dense)
Tile with water absorption of more than 7.0 percent

Ceramic floor tile (Medium dense)
Tile with water absorption of more than 3.0 percent, but not more than 7.0 percent

High tech porcelain (High Dense)
Tile with water absorption of more than 0.5 percent, but not more than 3.0 percent

Vitrified (Extremely dense)
Tile with water absorption of 0.5 percent or less. This Reflecting the density of the tile body, ceramic tile are also classified by their water absorption rate apart from the resistance to wear and tear. The water absorption rate is directly related with the suitability of the various types of tile for interior or exterior applications. For exterior applications, the selected tiles must have a very low water absorption rate, especially in climates subjected to rainfall, freezing and thawing cycles. A low water absorption rate also enables a tile to absorb food or beverage stains on a lesser percentage. This is usually a High tech porcelain tile, which has a moisture absorption ranging from  1.0 % to 2.5%.

High tech Porcelain tile is a hard wearing material, many types of which are resistant to all weather conditions, chemical attack, scratches, stains, fading, and heavy loads and fire. High tech Porcelain tile can withstand heavy foot traffic and requires minimal maintenance. Apart from extreme durability, porcelain tile offers a wide range of color, texture and also an accurate recreation of natural stones, granites, slates, marbles, and even woods and metals. Our high tech  porcelain tiles  are  the glazing technology  based not  the  polished based .

Glaze is also referred to as a finish coating of ceramic or porcelain tile, added during the firing process. The following are some examples of glazes.

	BRIGHT GLAZE:	A high-gloss coating with or without color
	CLEAR GLAZE:	A transparent glaze with or without color.
	CRYSTALLINE GLAZE:	A glaze that contains microscopic crystals
	FRITTED GLAZE:	A glaze in which a part or all of the fluxing constituents are refused.
	MATTE GLAZE:	A low-gloss glaze with or without color
	OPAQUE GLAZE:	A non-transparent glaze with or without color
	RAW GLAZE:	A glaze compounded primarily from raw constituents. It contains no prefused materials.
	SEMI-MATTE GLAZE:	A medium-gloss glaze with or without color
	SPECKLED GLAZE:	A glaze containing granules of oxides or ceramic stains of contrasting colors.

High tech porcelain tiles are the most common style today in floor and wall tiles, as well as for residential and commercial applications. Glaze is a form of liquid glass applied to the body of the tile and fired at high temperatures, creating a smooth, impermeable surface that may also be highly decorative. The glaze also makes a tile hard and non-porous resulting in flooring that is:

	Stain resistant
	Scratch resistant
	Fire resistant
	Slip resistant
	Easy to clean, and
	Doesn’t fade

Tiles with no glaze or any other coating applied. An unglazed tile is also defined as a hard, dense tile of uniform composition throughout, deriving color and texture from the materials of which the body is made. Their color is the same on the face of the tile as it is on the back. It has two options one is polished  and other is un polished, only  unpolished is durable tiles and do not show the effects of heavy traffic where  as polished vitrified is not suitable  or high traffic ,not stain proof , not scratch proof , no variety & highly  monotones.

Most reputable lines of high tech porcelain tiles are rated by  (PEI) abrasion test. This test is recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The scale provided by this test determines the resistance of an enameled surface in relation to the traffic and wear the surface can endure, without any damage to its appearance.

Known as the PEI Scale, it is the standard consumers can rely on and refer to in order to determine which tiles to buy according to purpose and location. The PEI rating indicates the tile hardness, and these ratings are valuable to help in tile choices for different projects. However, the wear rating of the tile does not influence the quality or price, but only durability. Some of the most expensive and luxurious tiles in the world fall in group I or II.

Tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as clay, ceramic, stone, metal or even glass. It is a surfacing unit, used for covering roofs, floors, walls and countertops. Ceramic and high tech porcelain tiles, vitrified tiles are manufactured by pressing clay and other materials into shape and firing it at high temperatures, giving it the hardness it is known for. The bisque (body) of a tile may then be glazed, polished or left unglazed depending on its intended use.

Tile is a popular flooring choice for many reasons. Wide varieties of tile offers colors, patterns, and textures that enhance any interior or exterior. Tile for flooring and wall covering is also one of the earliest manmade building materials and endures all kinds of wear while retaining their beauty.

The two distinctive types of kiln fired tile are ceramic and porcelain. The basic difference between porcelain and ceramic is the end result out of the kilns. Ceramic is the most common type and is made by baking clay in a conventional kiln at average temperature. However, porcelain tiles are made from fine grain clay fired at an extremely high temperature. As a result they are highly resistant to staining and wear.

Porcelain tiles are also the most durable and easiest to clean simply because of their hardness and overall density. Unglazed tile has an earthy, natural look while glazing gives it better resistance to moisture and stains. Glazed tile also lends an attractive sheen to an interior.

	The PEI rating
	The water absorption rating
	The glaze hardness

These defining characteristics for tile can help you choose the appropriate product for a variety of projects.

While it is true to say that the higher the PEI rating, the greater the wear-resistance of the tile, the PEI floor rating is not the only factor that should be taken into account when choosing a tile. Tile flooring is rated not only on its ability to withstand water penetration and resistance to abrasion but also on its aesthetic qualities. Both visual and structural characteristics are equally important in the process of choosing a type of tile for your property.

	Abrasion Resistance: The PEI rating or the degree to which a tile's glaze will withstand the wear of foot traffic
	Breaking Strength: The degree to which a tile will withstand breaking stress
	Mohs scale scratch test: To determine how easily the tile scratches
	Shape and dimension
	Visual inspection
	Water absorption
	Bond strength
	Chemical resistance
	Crazing (resistance to cracking)
	Freeze or thaw resistance
	Impact resistance
	Acid resistance
	Water penetration through glaze
	Cleanable
	Marking resistance to metals

Of these factors, the three most important are the PEI rating, the water absorption, and the glaze hardness (Mush scratch test). Additionally, one should observe

	if the tile edges are square or warped
	if the surface texture is consistent
	if the tiles are of the same size and the coloring runs consistently

So, you’ve decided to install tile flooring! Luckily, the wide varieties of tile flooring enables you an equally wide selection that best suits your project. Here are some important things you should consider before you select and buy the appropriate tile flooring and much before you start the installation process.

Of these factors, the three most important are the PEI rating, the water absorption, and the glaze hardness (Mohs scratch test). Additionally, one should observe

	if the tile edges are square or warped
	if the surface texture is consistent
	if the tiles are of the same size and the coloring runs consistently

High tech porcelain tiles share remarkable qualities that give them an edge for meeting many interior requirements. However, just like any other flooring, there are some considerations to be taken into account when selecting ceramic tiles. Some of those considerations are:

	durability
	slip and stain resistance
	water absorption

Generally, these are judged in terms of application, location and the conditions the tiles will need to endure.

The top layer of a flooring material that covers a patterned effect is called wear layer.

Stain resistance is a characteristic whereby the tile withstands the absorption of moisture and other substances that would otherwise remain in the tile body.

A tile with a glossy surface finish that reflects light and emphasizes the color and marking of the material is a polished tile. This finish is achieved by sanding or grinding the tile with diamond heads.

Ceramic tiles are made from a mixture of clays which have been shaped, colored and fired at high temperatures, resulting in a hard body. This hard body may then be left untreated or it may receive a glazed wear layer. Ceramic tile is a surfacing unit, and has been used for covering roofs, floors, walls and countertops.

Made from fine-grain clay and minerals, porcelain tile is a ceramic product with a very hard, solid structure. The body of each porcelain tile is very resistant to moisture (classified as impervious), and is therefore less likely to stain. Porcelain tile is a very hard tile option, and is typified by its resistance to wear and tear over long periods of time.

Porcelain tiles are also ceramic tiles. They are a specified form of ceramic tiles, but composed of much fine and dense clay and fired at much higher temperatures, if compared. Porcelain tiles are made by clay with water absorption ranging  of 1% to 2.5 %, while ceramic tiles have a clay composition with water absorption of more than 3% to 20%.

This composition makes porcelain tile more homogenous, dense, much stronger and less prone to moisture absorption and staining. For those reasons porcelain can be suitable for locations with extreme moisture and in freeze or thaw conditions. Not all ceramic tiles can be installed at locations with freezing weather, due to the likelihood of moisture freezing inside the tiles. Internal freezing causes the moisture to expand as it freezes, which often manifests as cracks in the tile.

Glaze is a liquid glass that is sprayed or poured onto the surface of the tile. The glaze is then fused and hardened by means of very high temperatures. Colors are created from a mixture of minerals, such as gold, silver, zinc, copper, mercury, and cobalt. Strength and wear resistance of the tile is reinforced by the hardness of the glaze. The harder the glaze, the better the tile will stand up to pressure and abrasion. Glaze hardness is determined by:

Temperature
The higher the kiln (oven) temperature is, the harder the glaze will be.

Color
Light-colored glazes are usually harder than dark-colored ones.

Gloss Level
Matte-finished or satin-finished glazes are generally harder. Shiny glazes are usually softer and less durable.

The glaze is a nonporous, protective glass coating

The strength of tile is determined by the hardness of its glaze and the density of the clay body

ISO is the abbreviation of International Standards Organization, a worldwide network of the national standards institutes of 157 countries. It has also drafted international standards (ISO/TC 189 "Ceramic Tiles") for ceramic tiles. ISO Standards are used by tile manufacturers worldwide.