Tiles Demystified

Lets Talk Tiles: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Next Renovation Project

A candid conversation with tile experts, so you can avoid costly mistakes.

Choosing tiles for your home can feel overwhelming: ceramic, porcelain, PEI ratings, grout lines, adhesives… where do you even start?

This expert-led guide breaks down everything you need to know before selecting tiles for your renovation. From understanding the difference between ceramic and porcelain to avoiding costly installation mistakes, you’ll learn how to choose tiles that look beautiful, last longer, and suit your lifestyle. If you want a stress-free, confident tile-buying experience, this is the guide for you.

Full interviews available on our YouTube channel Meik Architect.

We’ve all had that moment, standing in a tile showroom, overwhelmed by endless choices, politely nodding while someone throws around terms like PEI ratings, porcelain adhesives, and glazed finishes. Meanwhile, you’re silently thinking… I have no idea what any of this means.

Here’s the truth: even after 18 years in architecture, I had never fully understood the real differences between ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles. So, I sat down with Mitch from M Squared Tiles, our go-to tile guru, to get clarity once and for all.

And what I learned could save you thousands of rands and countless headaches.

The Tile Family Tree: Understanding the 3 Main Types of Tiles

Before choosing tiles, it helps to understand the three main types you’ll encounter. They might look similar, but behave very differently in the real world.

1. Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic is the “classic” tile. It has:

• A red-brown clay base (known as a biscuit)
• A printed pattern and glaze on top
• A softer, more porous structure

Scratch deep enough and you’ll see the clay underneath. That’s because the pattern only lives on the surface.

Best for: Bathroom walls, low-traffic indoor areas.

2. Glazed Porcelain Tiles

Think of porcelain as ceramic’s tougher, more reliable sibling. These tiles:

• Are made from a denser, cream-coloured clay
• Absorb less water
• Are far more durable
• Still have the pattern printed on top

Best for: High-traffic areas, living spaces, sunny rooms, patios.

3. Full-Body Porcelain Tiles

The luxury option. With full-body porcelain:

• The pattern runs all the way through the tile
• Chips and scratches are almost invisible
• The tile behaves like a solid piece of patterned stone

Best for: Commercial spaces and heavy-duty applications (not usually necessary for homes).

Why Tile Type Actually Matters

In a perfectly lit showroom, ceramic and porcelain tiles look almost identical. But install ceramic tiles outside on a sunny patio… and you might see cracks, warping, or fading within a few years.

Here’s why:

• Ceramic tiles absorb more water → they expand and contract more → they need wider grout lines to “breathe.”
• Porcelain tiles barely move with temperature changes → they’re ideal for sun-exposed or high-traffic areas.
• Full-body porcelain is often unnecessary in homes → save your money unless you’re hosting truck races in your lounge.

The Secret Code: Understanding PEI Ratings

Every glazed tile comes with a PEI rating (1–5) that indicates surface durability.

• PEI 1–2 → Walls only (bathrooms)
• PEI 3 → Light foot traffic (guest rooms)
• PEI 4 → Most home floors
• PEI 5 → Heavy commercial use (shopping centres)

For residential floors, PEI 4 glazed porcelain is the sweet spot. Don’t get upsold into PEI 5 unless you truly need it.

Installation Secrets the Tile Shops Never Tell You

Even the best tile can fail if installed incorrectly. Here’s what most homeowners don’t know:

1. Adhesive Matters (A LOT)

Ceramic and porcelain require different glues. Use the wrong one and your floor can literally lift (“tenting”), crack, or explode. Yes, this happens more often than you’d think.

2. Grout Is Structural, Not Decorative

Grout allows tiles to move slightly with temperature shifts.

• Porcelain tiles → minimum 3mm gaps
• Ceramic tiles → often need wider joints

3. Expansion Joints Are Essential

Every 5m x 5m, your floor needs expansion joints filled with silicone — not grout. Skip this, and your tiles may crack as temperatures change.

4. Large Format Tiles Cost More to Install

Those gorgeous 1.2m x 1.2m tiles?

• Require two installers
• Need special levelling systems
• Take longer to lay

Worth it? Absolutely. But budget accordingly.

The Ugly Truth About Aluminium Edge Strips

Those shiny aluminium trims that appear everywhere? Functional, yes. Pretty, absolutely not.

Better alternatives:

• Bullnosing – machine-rounded edges for a seamless finish
• Mitred corners – tiles cut at 45° for sleek, professional corners

These cost more upfront, but the finished look? Immaculate. Your bathroom will thank you.

Bathroom Tiling: Avoid the “Three Little Tiles” Disaster

If you’ve ever seen a bathroom with three tiny rows of tiles above a vanity… you know the look: unfinished and budget-cut.

Here’s Mitch’s advice:

For modern homes:

Tile all the way to the ceiling for a clean, luxury finish.

For other homes:

Tile full walls or create a fully tiled “panel” around wet areas like showers and baths.

Bonus: If you leave some upper walls untiled, you can repaint over the years as your kids’ colour preferences go from “ocean blue” to “absolutely not.”

Avoiding the Trend Trap

Tiles are fashion items. Today’s “must-have” trend can become tomorrow’s regret.

• Short-term renovation? Go bold. Try patterns, colours, shapes.
• Long-term home? Choose timeless, neutral tones (think soft greige stone-look tiles). Add personality with accessories, not permanent finishes.

The Pros and Cons of Tiles

Why tiles are a brilliant choice:

• Incredibly durable
• Waterproof
• Low maintenance
• Family and pet-friendly
• Available in wood-look options for added warmth

Potential drawbacks:

• Can feel cold in bedrooms
• Quality varies drastically depending on price

Quality Matters: Not All Tiles Are Created Equal

Here’s what Mitch sees in the industry:

• Italian & Spanish tiles → top-tier quality (expect R800+ per m²)
• Chinese tiles → range from excellent to terrible, depending on the factory
• Indian tiles → improving rapidly and often affordable
• Local SA tiles → great products from established factories and new African producers
• Handmade tiles → best used as feature pieces (not whole floors)

Red Flags When Buying Tiles

If a tile seemed perfect in the store but a nightmare on site, chances are:

• You bought based on looks, not specifications
• No one checked the PEI rating
• The tile wasn’t suitable for floors
• Sizing or glaze issues became obvious during installation

Cheap tiles often mean cheap quality and expensive fixes.

Questions to Ask in Every Tile Shop

Before you buy, ask:

1. Is this ceramic or porcelain?
2. What’s the PEI rating?
3. What adhesive is required?
4. Can you bullnose these edges?
5. What grout joint size is recommended?
6. Where is this tile manufactured? What’s the quality level?

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to be a tile expert; that’s our job. But a little knowledge empowers you to make smarter choices, avoid upselling, and ensure your home looks beautiful and lasts for years.

Quick takeaways:

• Porcelain for high-use and sun-exposed areas
• Ceramic for bathrooms and low-traffic spaces
• Timeless > trendy (unless you plan to renovate soon)
• Proper installation is EVERYTHING
• Tile full bathroom walls, your future self will be grateful

Relax, Choosing Tiles Should Be Fun

A good architect or designer will guide you through the process and work with reliable installers. And now that you know the essentials, you can walk into any tile showroom with confidence.