Quality is the utmost concern for people who prefer online shopping. Keeping several aspects in mind while buying tiles online can help you to obtain quality products. This changes the entire appeal of a space.
Online shopping is highly prioritised by customers because it is time-saving. You can view products even at midnight while being in your home comfort. Well, getting the perfect quality is a headache.
Home furnishings sales account for 8.36% of the overall retail sales in the USA. This indicates that Americans prefer buying items from any online tile shop (tile shop online). This blog points out some smart tips for assessing a tile quality before an online purchase.
Why Quality Matters in Tiles?
Quality is a fundamental consideration while purchasing tiles. This is because quality influences the durability, maintenance, and the overall appeal of a tile. Homeowners like to use tiles for a long time, so quality products are preferred.
Top Tips to Follow While Analysing Tile Quality Before Purchasing
Quality must not be a compromising ground while buying any product. Here are some tips that are to be followed if you decide to buy tiles from online sites.
1. Verifying Tile’s Material
The material of the tile is a key consideration when you buy it online. Ceramic tiles are highly applicable to residential areas and are also less expensive. There are several variations of this tile.
Do you want a highly durable tile for your kitchen? Here, porcelain tile is a good option. The maintenance procedure of this type of tile is convenient. Natural stone tiles look luxurious, along with having an aesthetic appeal. Well, this material is expensive.
2. Understanding Tile Grades
Are you thinking of buying beige bathroom tiles? Well, you need to understand the grades of tiles. Here is a comparative evaluation of different grades.
| Grades | Quality | Durability | Application |
| Grade 1 | Best quality, without any defect | High | High-traffic areas like living room and kitchen |
| Grade 2 | Have surface irregularities or any minor defect | Moderate | Light-traffic floors like bedrooms and bathrooms |
| Grade 3 | Noticeable defects | Low | Walls only |
Table 1: Grade 1 vs Grade 2 vs Grade 3
Keep the tile’s application in mind before choosing a grade.
3. Checking the PEI Rating
The PEI rating is a score given to tiles based on to what extent it can resist wear and tear. This ranges from 0 to 5. Based on this rating, you can understand how long a tile will remain in a good condition.
| PEI Ratings | Level of Durability | Application |
| 0 | No foot traffic | Walls only |
| 1 | Very light traffic | Bathroom walls |
| 2 | Light traffic | Bathrooms and bedrooms |
| 3 | Medium traffic | Kitchens and hall rooms |
| 4 | High traffic | Hotels and shops |
| 5 | Very high traffic | Airports, schools, and shopping malls |
Table 2: PEI Ratings and Their Applications
4. Evaluating Product Specifications
While buying tiles from an online tile shop (tile shop online), always read the product specifications carefully. Initially, check the thickness, dimensions, and flatness. This helps you to understand whether the tile fits the desired area.
Assessing the tile’s specifications will also help you to know its water absorption capability, chemical resistance, COF, frost resistance, etc. You can make quick decisions after gaining a good knowledge of its specifications.
5. Reading Verified User Reviews
To understand the quality of a tile, you must read the reviews of existing users. Sort the reviews in descending order based on time and read the most recent ones. Following this tip helps to acquire the best-quality product.
Suppose you have decided to buy beige bathroom tiles. Then, you need to verify whether colours sustain in the tiles. Also, you will be able to know the durability, installation procedure, and maintenance of the tiles from the reviews. This gives a great understanding of a tile’s quality.
6. Checking Product Photos
While reading the customer reviews, always consider the ones that contain images. Try to find HD images of tiles and zoom-in photos to understand the product in a better way.
You can also ask for images that are taken under natural light. Photos help a customer to understand whether the actual product differs from the displayed images.
7. Solving Your Queries
Customers have multiple queries while purchasing tiles from a tile shop online. If you have any query, you must resolve them from the seller.
Get clarity over the materials of the tiles. You can also ask them about any certification that the tiles hold and the provided warranty.
8. Ordering Samples Before a Bulk Purchase
Are you planning to buy tiles in bulk? An effective tip for you is to order samples before that. Well, you can avail free samples or low-cost ones from several online sites.
You can check the quality of a tile if you order samples before a bulk purchase. After receiving the sample, look for its colour, texture, scratch-resistance, and water-resistance. Determine whether it fits your design.
9. Evaluating the Return Policy
Before purchasing tiles online, always evaluate the return policy. Find out the return window so that you can return the products if they are damaged. You must also acknowledge the restocking fees.
10. Visualising Tiles Via Augmented Reality
E-commerce platforms offer customers the option to view products in their spaces via AR. Consider this to understand how the tiles will look in your space.
To Conclude
Quality is always a concern for people while purchasing anything from e-commerce sites. To evaluate the quality of tiles, you must check tile grade and PEI rating. Also, analyse the product specifications and the verified customer reviews. Get all your queries solved before ordering.
Choosing the Right Tile
Are you thinking of upgrading your kitchen or living room? Never compromise with quality while buying tiles. Before ordering tiles online, check the PEI rating, read customer reviews, and check user photos.