How to Check Tiles Quality : Complete Guide

Every week I meet homeowners who come into our showroom convinced they already know what they need.

They’ve seen something online, liked the design, and just want to “match this look.”

But once I hand them two similar-looking tiles - one premium and one average - they instantly feel the difference. The weight, the smoothness of the glaze, even the sound when you tap it.

Tiles do far more than make a room look good. They face heat, humidity, cleaning chemicals, and heavy foot traffic.

Especially in Goa, where coastal air and moisture test every building material, tile quality is critical.

If you’re wondering how to make sure the tiles you’re buying are genuinely worth the investment, here’s a complete guide based on real-world inspection methods we use daily at Saglani :

Step 1 : Inspect the Surface and Finish

A high-quality tile will have :

• Consistent colour and pattern. Hold two tiles side by side. They should look identical in shade and design.

• Even glaze. No bubbles, dull spots, or patches.

• Smooth, straight edges. They should line up without gaps when placed edge to edge.

  
  

Run your fingers across the surface. A uniform finish means even glazing and proper firing.

Cheap tiles often feel slightly uneven or have pinholes caused by trapped air during manufacturing.

Step 2 : Check Thickness Consistency

Lay a few tiles flat on a level surface and compare the thickness at the corners. Minor differences - less than half a millimetre - are acceptable. 

Anything more will cause uneven joints and wobbling during installation.

At SAGLANI, we reject entire batches if we find thickness variation outside industry tolerance. 

Precision cutting ensures that our tiles install cleanly without over-grouting or levelling issues.

Step 3 : The Tap or “Sound” Test

This is an old-fashioned but reliable trick.  Tap the tile lightly with a coin or the handle of a screwdriver :

• A clear ringing sound means it’s dense and properly fired

• A dull thud suggests internal cracks, air pockets, or low firing temperature

  
  

Always test a few random pieces from different boxes. A consistent ring means consistent quality.

Step 4 : Scratch Resistance

Floors in Goan homes, cafés, and hotels take heavy wear. You want a glaze that won’t scratch the moment you drag a chair.

Use a simple key or coin to scratch a small corner :

• If a visible mark appears easily, the glaze is weak

• If it resists scratching, it’s high-quality - often vitrified or porcelain grade

  
  

Our premium vitrified tiles at SAGLANI are manufactured with hard glazes designed to handle heavy foot traffic, coastal sand, and frequent cleaning.

Step 5 : Water Absorption Test

Humidity in Goa is high for most of the year. A tile that absorbs water will weaken, stain, or pop off eventually.

Here’s a simple test you can even do at home :

• Weigh the dry tile

• Submerge it in water for 24 hours

• Wipe and weigh again

  
  

If the weight increases by more than 0.5 percent, that tile is too porous. Go for vitrified or porcelain tiles, which have negligible water absorption.

At SAGLANI, this is one of our standard in-house checks before a batch reaches our display floor.

Step 6 : Measure the Dimensions

Use a measuring tape to check length, width, and squareness.

Corners should form a perfect 90-degree angle. Even a millimetre of variation can make a big difference once you start laying multiple rows.

Professional installers in Goa appreciate tiles that come from factories maintaining ISO 10545 dimensional standards. It saves time, adhesive, and frustration.

Step 7 : Stain and Chemical Resistance

Tiles in kitchens, bathrooms, and balconies regularly meet detergents, oils, and acids.

Place a few drops of lemon juice, vinegar, or mild cleaner on the surface. Wait five minutes and wipe.

• No mark or dullness? Excellent

• Faint patch or discoloration? That tile will stain over time

  
  

Most SAGLANI premium porcelain tiles pass this easily, which is why local restaurants and coastal resorts prefer them.

Step 8 : Hardness and Strength (Mohs Scale)

A good floor tile should rate between 6 and 8 on the Mohs hardness scale.

That’s strong enough to resist scratches from sand or heels but still practical to cut during installation.

Wall tiles can be softer - around 4 to 6 - since they face less wear.

Always ask your supplier for the hardness rating or product specification sheet.

We share full technical data with every order, so clients know exactly what they’re getting.

Step 9 : Confirm Manufacturer Standards

Quality isn’t only about looks; it’s about certification. Before buying, ask for proof of standards such as:

• IS 15622 (BIS certified) – Indian Standard for Ceramic and Vitrified Tiles

• ISO 10545 series – International tests for water absorption, breaking strength, and resistance to chemicals

Tiles meeting these marks have passed rigorous lab tests. Every product line at SAGLANI adheres to these requirements.

Step 10 : Packaging and Labelling

Premium tiles usually come in sturdy, well-printed boxes marked with :

• Brand and model name

• Batch or shade number

• Size and coverage area

• Manufacturing date

  
  

This might seem minor, but proper labelling helps you reorder or match tiles later. Poor packaging often signals poor quality control.

Premium Tiles vs Regular Tiles : Understanding the Real Gap

Feature	Premium Tiles (SAGLANI)	Regular Tiles
Raw Material	Refined clay, silica, high-grade minerals	Basic clay blend
Water Absorption	< 0.5 % (vitrified)	3 - 10 % or more
Finish	Consistent, smooth glaze	Uneven surface
Strength	Dense, high firing temperature	Brittle edges
Maintenance	Easy to clean, long-lasting shine	Requires frequent replacement
Climate Suitability (Goa)	Excellent – resists humidity and salt air	Poor – absorbs moisture

In short, the difference is not cosmetic. It’s structural. Premium tiles stay stable and beautiful for decades; cheaper ones start deteriorating within a few monsoons.

Why Tiles Quality Matters Even More in Goa

Goa’s coastal climate adds unique stress to building materials :

• Salt-laden air corrodes and stains porous tiles

• Continuous humidity promotes mold beneath the surface

• High temperature swings expand and contract sub-standard tiles, leading to cracks

  
  

That’s why at SAGLANI, we focus on tiles engineered for tropical and coastal environments - dense body, low porosity, anti-skid finishes, and high UV resistance.

Whether you’re tiling a Portuguese-style villa in Fontainhas or a beachfront café in Benaulim, investing in quality tiles saves you from endless maintenance later.

PEOPLE ALSO ASK

1. How can I tell if a tile is of premium quality?

Look for consistent glaze, accurate edges, low water absorption, and a clear ringing sound when tapped. Certified markings like IS 15622 or ISO 10545 also confirm quality.

2. Can I perform basic tests myself before buying?

Yes. Simple scratch and water-soak tests reveal a lot. Tap tests help detect internal cracks. Always test random tiles, not just one sample.

3. Which type of tile is best suited for Goa’s humidity?

Vitrified and porcelain tiles. They’re dense, non-porous, and unaffected by moisture or salt air.

4. What happens if tiles absorb water?

They expand, loosen, and eventually crack. The glaze may discolour too. That’s why non-porous tiles are essential near the coast.

5. How does SAGLANI ensure consistent tile quality?

Every shipment is inspected for dimensional accuracy, finish, water absorption, and batch shade uniformity before it’s displayed or delivered.

Final Thoughts

Tiles aren’t something you replace every year. Once laid, they stay with your home for decades. 

Choosing the right quality at the start means peace of mind later - no chipping, no fading, no loose edges.

If you take just a few minutes to check surface, sound, hardness, and water absorption, you’ll immediately recognize the difference between average and excellent.

At SAGLANI – Premium Tiles Supplier in Goa, we make that process easier by pre-testing everything we sell.

Visit our showroom or consult our experts to find tiles that suit your design, your budget, and Goa’s unique weather conditions.

Because when you build in a place as beautiful as Goa, your floors and walls deserve the same lasting quality.