Check the Wear Grades

• For the price of $1 to $10 or more per tile, finding an inexpensive tile is easy, but when looking for kitchen tile, it is necessary to consider more than just how inexpensive it is. Kitchens tend to be high-traffic areas where spills occur frequently and hard objects are dropped. The tile that you choose needs to be able to withstand some of that. No matter what kind of ceramic tile you get, it will always be subject to cracking when hard, heavy objects drop on it, but getting a ceramic tile that has a PEI rating of III or higher is recommended. The PEI ratings of ceramic tile range from I to V and testify to the durability of the tile--its ability to withstand high traffic, shoes, scuffs and being exposed to sand or grit. A rating of three (III) or higher indicates a very strong tile that can outlast most other types of flooring if it is installed properly and maintained. Not all ceramic tile has been tested, so you may not find this rating on all tiles, but it is highly recommended that you spend a few dollars more, if need be, to find tile that has undergone this testing, as it will tell you a lot about how well your investment will stand up.
  
  

Mohs Test Ratings

• Mohs test rates tile from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). A rating of 5 or more is durable enough to withstand the scratches of everyday kitchen life. The Mohs test, invented by German minerologist, Friedrich Mohs, measures a tile's ability to withstand scratches from different minerals, from Talc (1) to Diamond (10). Ten different substances are tested on ceramic tiles, and it is determined how scratch-resistant the tile is. Once again, this test is not a standardized test so it is not done on every brand of tile, but it is a good comparison tool when it is available.
  
  

Finished Surface

• Spills Can be Hazardous
  
  Kitchens can be messy, and ceramic tiles are easy to clean and resist water damage. However, some ceramic tile can be very slippery. It is essential that when you purchase your glazed ceramic tile, you inspect the surface of the tile. If it is a highly polished, reflective surface it is most likely not appropriate for kitchen use. These tiles tend to be very slippery and especially so when liquid or powders get on them. Hold the tile up to the light and look for a surface that has visible hills and valleys, or run your hand over the tile. A smooth surface is nice and easy to clean, but it should have some substance to it to avoid slipping.
  
  

The Size and Amount of Tile to Buy

• The smaller the floor tile, the easier it is to install. If you are installing the tile yourself, it is ideal to keep the ceramic tile under 14 x 14 inches. This allows easier handling and helps to ensure that air pockets under the tile are kept at a minimum. It is much harder to keep air pockets out of larger tile.
  
  When measuring for your tile, be sure to include any recessed areas, closets and under-cabinet areas that you might want to include. After you have determined how many to buy, be sure to buy extras for later tile replacements. If a tile cracks in the future you might have a hard time matching the tile if you have to buy new ones. Having some on hand will allow you to be able to make replacement repairs without having to re-tile the entire floor.