Tiles are just as essential in home decoration. Yet, when it comes to choosing tiles, we often aren't sure how to make the right selection. Below, we’ve compiled some valuable tips and experiences for selecting tiles. We believe that after reading this, you’ll know exactly how to tell whether a tile is good or not the next time you’re shopping for tiles.

1. First, check the tile’s label.

On the label of a tile, pay close attention to the 3C mark on the tile packaging. Additionally, check for information such as the manufacturer’s name, address, product specifications and model number, as well as the date of manufacture, trademark, and quantity. If any of this information is unclear or incomplete, the tile may not be of very good quality.

2. Recheck the appearance of the tiles.

After opening the tile packaging, let’s examine the tiles’ appearance. First, check how smooth and fine the tile surface is. You can place the tile in sunlight and observe the reflected light. If the reflected light is relatively uniform, it indicates that the surface is indeed quite smooth.

At the same time, we can also examine the tiles from the side to see whether there are any subtle defects on their surface.

Another thing to pay attention to is the fineness of the tile’s pattern and design. You should also take a look at the base pattern on the back of the tile. High-quality tiles will have a clearly visible trademark—be sure to notice this detail.
3. Tap and listen to the sound.

First, gently pick up one corner of the tile and let it hang naturally. Then, tap the middle to lower part of the tile and listen carefully to the sound it produces. If the sound is crisp and pleasing to the ear, it indicates that the tile is of good quality. However, if the sound seems dull and muffled, you’d better avoid purchasing that tile—such tiles likely underwent a short firing cycle at a low temperature during manufacturing, resulting in poor quality.

4. Test the water absorption rate of the tiles.

The water absorption rate of tiles also affects the quality of our everyday tiling work. If the water absorption rate is too high, the tiles will absorb moisture from the cement mortar, making them prone to hollowing and even falling off.

During testing, we can drop water onto the back of the tile and observe how quickly it’s absorbed. If the moisture on the floor is rapidly absorbed by the tile, it indicates that the tile has a high water absorption rate. After comparing different tiles, it’s best to choose products with lower water absorption rates.