Homeowners and interior designers face a major challenge when selecting safe, stylish tiles with slip-resistant properties for various wet areas of the home. Also, choosing tiles isn’t just about how they will look. Beauty and safety should be considered when choosing tiles, especially in areas where water or dust spills may be common.
Many homeowners and designers struggle to understand the tile slip resistance rating. Understanding slip ratings can help you use **large-format porcelain tiles** for your patio or upgrade your indoor flooring without worrying about creating an unsafe surface.
According to a detailed report from the National Floor Safety Institute, slips and falls cost more than 1 million emergency room visits in the United States each year. This should help you understand how important proper flooring options are in high-risk areas. This blog examines slip-resistance ratings and best practices for selecting safe tiles.
A tile’s slip resistance rating helps you understand how well the tile will grip underfoot. This rating is extremely important in wet or slippery environments. Tiles with a higher resistance rating will slip less and be more appropriate for use in bathrooms and kitchens.
You will never be able to judge slip resistance by looking at a tile. A tile that is pleasing to the eye and smooth may look great and be dangerous when wet. This is why testing and rating systems are important.
The R rating for tiles to measure slip resistance is based on the German DIN 51130 slip test, which assesses the slip resistance of different floor tiles. The R rating system measures tile slip resistance as follows:
As the R rating increases, the tiles will have a rougher surface and will have a higher slip resistance rating.
While slipping can occur anywhere, it is more likely on soapy, wet surfaces, which ultimately lead to low-slip resistance flooring. The following areas most commonly require slip-resistant floor tiles: