Ceramic Technical Terms
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Bisque

The Bisque is the body of the tile not the glazed surface.

Break Strength 

Force applied to the unsupported portion of the tile until it reaches its breaking point occurs.
Results are recorded and  are given in pounds, the higher the pounds  the stronger the tile. 

High Gloss

The term used for a tile which has a high shine to its surface. You can generally see your reflection on the tile surface. The higher the gloss the more prone the tile is to scratch. 

Mat

A term used for a tile with a soft finish as opposed to a high gloss finish. A mat finish is less likely to scratch than a high gloss or semi-gloss tile. 

MOHS ( Method of Hardness)

Testing on the tile for surface resistance to scratching by using different minerals such as, a tile that would scratch by  applying talc powder to the surface would receive a rating of 1, while a rating of 10 would be given if it would not scratch by scratching the surface with a diamond.

A rating of 5 would be adequate for residential.

A rating of 7 or higher would be adequate for commercial use.

PEI (Porcelain Efficiency Institute)

The Wear Rating of a tile is given in numbers 1 - 5. The higher the number the better the wear.

Rating 1 - for use in residential bathrooms where softer footwear such as slippers are worn.

Rating 2 - for general residential use except for kitchens entry foyers and heavy traffic areas.

Rating 3 - for all residential and light commercial uses.

Rating 4 -  for residential and moderate commercial uses.

Rating 5 -  for commercial use.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-Gloss surface is not as shinny as the high gloss tile nor as soft as the mat finish tile and is less likely to scratch than a semi-gloss tile and more likely to scratch than a mat finish tile.