16 March 2026
In this guide, we’ll walk through the key tile strength ratings and durability measures used when selecting floor tiles, including wear resistance and mechanical strength. Understanding what these ratings mean can make it much easier to choose tiles that not only look beautiful but also stand up to the demands of your space for years to come.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Tile Ratings
- The Difference Between Tile Durability and Strength Ratings
- Tile Strength Ratings
- Abrasion / Wear Resistance
- Why Tile Ratings Matter in High Traffic and Heavy Use Areas
- Common Tile Rating Mistakes to Avoid
- Tile Ratings Explained: Standards Used in Australia
- Find the Right Rated Tiles with Johnson Tiles
Understanding Tile Ratings
Tile ratings provide clear, technical insights into how a tile will perform in different environments. For example, tile ratings can indicate how well a tile will handle heavy foot traffic, how resistant it is to scratches or abrasion, how it performs when exposed to moisture, and whether it is suitable for wet areas or outdoor spaces.
By understanding these technical ratings, you can match tile performance to the demands of each area — from bathrooms and kitchens to high-traffic entryways, outdoor spaces, and commercial environments. Rather than relying on style alone, choosing tiles based on performance characteristics helps ensure the finished installation remains safe, durable, and easy to maintain over the long term. Learn more about tile performance classifications in our guide to tile safety and ratings.
The Difference Between Tile Durability and Strength Ratings
Tile durability ratings, such as wear resistance and water absorption, and strength ratings, such as breaking strength, each tell us something different about how a tile will perform. Together, these ratings help provide a clearer picture of a tile’s overall performance and suitability for different spaces.
Tile Strength Ratings
Breaking Strength
Breaking strength tells us the amount of force required to break a tile during a controlled test, which is an important factor when selecting tiles for floors that face heavy use.
Breaking strength matters most for floor applications and is generally less critical for wall tiles, which aren’t exposed to the same loads. If the breaking strength is too low, tiles can crack, break under load, or fail prematurely. Higher breaking strength ratings are preferred for commercial or outdoor use to ensure long-term durability and safety. Dense, low absorption porcelain tiles typically achieve higher breaking strength values than standard ceramic wall tiles, making porcelain more suitable for high traffic and heavy use spaces.
Understanding breaking strength helps you select tiles that not only look great but also perform reliably under pressure, protecting both the floor and the people using it. It’s important to note that tile performance also depends heavily on correct installation and substrate preparation. Even tiles with high breaking strength can fail if the substrate is not properly prepared or supported.
Modulus of Rupture (MOR)
The Modulus of Rupture (MOR) tells us the maximum bending stress a tile can withstand before failure, providing an indication of its bending strength. Simply put, it shows how much a tile can resist bending or cracking under load. A higher MOR indicates that the tile is stronger and less likely to crack, while a lower MOR means the tile will break more easily if stressed.
MOR is particularly important when selecting tiles for commercial floors, industrial spaces, large-format tiles, or outdoor paving, where tiles are subject to heavy loads or flexing. For these applications, a higher bending strength helps prevent structural failure and ensures long-term performance. For wall tiles or low-traffic residential floors, MOR is generally less critical, as these tiles experience far less bending stress.
Water Absorption
Water absorption is a key factor in determining how a tile will perform over time, especially in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor spaces. Tiles with lower water absorption are typically denser and more resistant to moisture-related damage, which often contributes to improved durability over time.
Because low absorption tiles are typically denser and fired at higher temperatures, they often achieve higher mechanical strength and improved resistance to moisture-related damage compared with higher absorption ceramic tiles. This is why porcelain is usually preferred for high traffic floors, commercial areas and external applications, while higher absorption ceramic tiles are more commonly used on internal walls and in lighter duty floor areas like residential homes. Always refer to the product’s Technical Data Sheet to confirm water absorption and recommended areas of use.
Abrasion / Wear Resistance
Wear or abrasion resistance measures how well a tile’s surface can withstand wear from foot traffic, dirt, and general use. In simple terms, it shows how well a tile will hold up over time. Considering this abrasion resistance is an important factor – tiles with insufficient abrasion resistance may see their glaze wear away under constant use, causing colour fading, dulling, or surface damage.
Wear or abrasion resistance is commonly expressed using wear classes ranging from Class 0 to Class 5, which indicate how well a tile’s surface can withstand foot traffic. Wear ratings make it easier to match a floor tile to the traffic and conditions of a particular space, helping you choose a product that will stay looking great for years:
| Tile Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Class 0 | These glazed tiles are not recommended for floors and are suitable only for walls in both domestic and commercial settings. |
| Class 1 | Suitable for areas walked on with soft-soled footwear or bare feet, where there’s almost no scratching dirt — for example, residential bathrooms or bedrooms without direct outdoor access. |
| Class 2 | Tiles designed for areas that are walked on with soft-soled/normal footwear only; small amounts of dirt present. For example, living areas of homes, but not recommended for kitchens, entrances, or other high-traffic areas. |
| Class 3 | Suitable for areas walked on more frequently with normal footwear and small amounts of dirt. Examples include residential kitchens, hallways, corridors, balconies, and terraces. Heavy or unusual footwear should be avoided. |
| Class 4 | Ideal for tiled areas with regular traffic and some scratching dirt, such as entrances, commercial kitchens, and hotel entrances. |
| Class 5 | Suitable for floor tiles that have severe pedestrian traffic over long periods with some scratching dirt. Including high-traffic public spaces, shopping centres, airport concourses, hotel foyers, public walkways, and industrial applications. |
Why Tile Ratings Matter in High Traffic and Heavy Use Areas
In busy environments, the right tile ratings can make a world of difference. Tiles that aren’t suited to the conditions may wear out faster, lose their finish, or develop cracks over time.
- Improve durability in high-traffic areas
- Reduce the likelihood of cracks or damage
- Maintain the appearance of the flooring for longer
For any space that experiences regular use, considering tile ratings early in the selection process is always worthwhile.
Common Tile Rating Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing the right tile isn’t just about looks — it’s also about understanding how tile ratings affect performance. Avoiding these common mistakes can help ensure your floor tiles remain durable, safe, and visually appealing for years.
- Using wall tiles on floors:
Wall tiles are mainly decorative and aren’t designed to handle the same loads or wear as floor tiles. They often have higher water absorption, lower density, and lower strength, and therefore aren’t built to be used on the floor. - Prioritising style over function:
Choosing tiles solely based on appearance can cause problems over time. Always consider how a tile will perform in its intended space. The best tiles are selected by considering properties such as wear resistance, and water absorption and traffic levels, moisture exposure, and environmental conditions — rather than just appearance. - Misjudging load requirements:
Tiles need to withstand the specific weight and stress they’ll face. Underestimating load can lead to cracks and breakages, while overestimating may unnecessarily limit your design options. - Ignoring indoor vs outdoor conditions:
Indoor and outdoor spaces have very different requirements. Outdoor tiles must handle exposure to rain, temperature changes, and moisture exposure (and in colder climates, freeze-thaw cycling), so low water absorption and suitable slip resistance are critical to prevent moisture-related damage. Conversely, specifying very rough outdoor style tiles indoors can increase cleaning difficulty without offering additional benefit. - Overlooking traffic levels:
The amount of foot traffic a space receives plays an important part in the tile you should choose. High-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, or commercial entryways can need higher wear ratings, while low-traffic areas, such as bedrooms or home offices, can use lower wear ratings.
Tile Ratings Explained: Standards Used in Australia
The test methods of the AS ISO 10545 series are used to determine the physical and chemical properties listed in the standard.Key tests include:
- Deep Abrasion (Unglazed Tiles) – AS ISO 10545-6: Measures material loss under abrasive wear.
- Surface Abrasion (Glazed Tiles) – AS ISO 10545-7: Assesses glaze durability under repeated use.
- Breaking Strength & Modulus of Rupture – AS ISO 10545-4: Determines the force and bending stress tiles can withstand.
For more details, see our blog: Navigating Australian Standards.
Find the Right Rated Tiles with Johnson Tiles
If you’re unsure which tile is best for your space, our team can provide expert advice to help you choose the right product. For detailed tile ratings, including durability, strength, and abrasion resistance, check the Technical Data Sheets on each of our product pages.
Get in touch with us at Johnson Tiles team or call 1800 564 676 today to find the perfect tile for your project.
In this guide, we’ve covered the key durability and strength ratings to help you understand how to choose floor tiles. Choosing the right tile isn’t just about style—it’s an investment in the function and longevity of your space. By matching tile ratings to the conditions and traffic levels of your area, you can ensure your tiles perform beautifully and stand the test of time.
