When designing or renovating your bathroom, safety is always a top priority to minimise the risks in wet areas. With a high risk of accidents due to slips and falls, these spaces can cause serious harm, especially to young children, the elderly, or those with mobility issues. This is why ensuring adequate flooring and finishings is paramount to reduce the risk of injuries from falling or slipping due to the wet environment of bathrooms. Slip-resistant tiles offer the perfect combination of aesthetic appeal, durability and safety to reduce the risk within bathrooms, and come in a wide array of styles to suit a variety of aesthetics, finishes and safety requirements.
What are slip-resistant tiles?
Slip-resistant tiles are made by creating a textured surface on the upside of the tile, creating a point of traction on the underfoot, hence minimising the risks of slips and falls. These tiles undergo rigorous testing to determine their slip resistance and are classified according to the ramp test and slip resistance method. In Australia, all tiles fit for bathrooms must be tested and meet a variety of compliance and legal requirements.
Ceramic Tile Supplies offers tiles with an R Rating, and/or which have passed the pendulum test.
The R rating ranges from R9 (low slip resistance) to R13 (very high slip resistance), and indicates the level of slip resistance provided by the tiles, with higher ratings offering greater traction and safety.
The pendulum test replicates the dynamic conditions of a person’s heel encountering a potentially slippery surface, and the friction is measured in a P-value (P0-P5), with 0 considered slippery, and 5 considered a high-friction surface with high slip resistance.
Selecting the right slip-resistance level depends on where the tiles will be installed. Ensuring both safety and functionality, these tiles can be made from porcelain, stone or ceramic, benefiting from durability and resistance to cracking, holding up against heavy foot traffic.
How to Choose the Right Non-Slip Tiles for Wet Areas
Ensuring tiles comply with legal requirements and construction and safety standards is probably the first and most important element to look for when choosing non-slip tiles. Their R rating is a good indicator of their slip resistance and therefore their suitability for your decoration or renovation project.
Bathroom tiles in the home are suggested to have a rating of R10 and above, whilst any commercial tiles in a public bathroom with heavy foot traffic, or ensuites for the elderly or people with mobility issues, legally have to be above R11 (depending on the location and use of space). For areas with mobility issues or the elderly, compliance must also be met by NDIS regulations.
The Types of Slip-resistant Tiles
Concrete and Concrete Look
Concrete-look tiles offer a minimalist, contemporary style while delivering enhanced safety in wet areas. Their subtle texture helps reduce the risk of slipping, making them ideal for bathrooms, laundries, and outdoor applications where aesthetics and functionality need to work hand-in-hand. At Ceramic Tile Supplies, our Coffee Black Matte, Downtown Bianco Matt, and Garda Trobole tiles are perfect for the modern bathroom, with neutral tones and limited character, perfect for timeless designs.
Porcelain Tiles and Mosaics
In wet areas, smaller tiles provide better traction thanks to the increased number of grout lines, which enhance slip resistance. While larger tiles may be easier to clean due to fewer grout lines, they don’t offer the same level of grip. At Ceramic Tile Supplies, we offer a wide selection of both small and large porcelain tiles for the majority of our tiles. Options like the Australian Seastone Light Grey Matt are available in large or small sizes and can be laid in a mosaic-style pattern, combining improved safety with a sleek, modern look. Mosaic and porcelain slip-resistant tiles are perfect for those wanting traditional bathroom tiling, and are happy to have more grout lines than a sleek look.
Sand and stone look
Our sand and stone slip-resistant tiles have a matte and textured finish to enhance grip to increase traction. At Ceramic Tile Supplies, our Graniti Grigio Chiaro Rock Finish (R12) and Tracks Drizzle Grey Anti-Slip (R11) feature rough, textured surfaces that contribute to higher non-slip ratings, making them perfect for elderly ensuites, commercial bathrooms and for home aesthetics that prefer modern, brutalist interiors. For aggregate look tiles, our Affogato Light Grey and Venice San Marco are perfect for those wanting added dimension, texture and colour with a slip rating of R9.
Professional Installation and Guidance
At Ceramic Tile Supplies, we’re here to help you choose the perfect tile to enhance safety in your bathroom without compromising on style. Discover our premium designer tile collections at our Wangara and Myaree showrooms, where the latest trends in colour, texture, and design come to life. We proudly offer a curated selection of high-quality, tested tiles from trusted brands, prioritising sustainability and eco-conscious choices wherever possible to ensure lasting performance and timeless appeal.
When it comes to installation, our experienced team is here to help. We can connect you with reliable, qualified tilers across Perth who deliver professional, tailored workmanship to suit your project.
Bring your Bathroom to Life at Ceramic Tile Supplies
Slip-resistant concrete-look tiles from Ceramic Tile Supplies offer a practical and stylish solution for bathrooms. Their superior safety features and rating on the R and pendulum system, alongside their durability and aesthetic appeal, make them an ideal choice.
Ready to choose the perfect tiles for your residential or commercial bathroom? Contact us today to discuss your project—our expert team is here to help.