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Slip Resistant Tiles

Are your pool tiles safe? 1

Are your pool tiles safe?

By General, Architects & Builders, Slip Resistant Tiles, Swimming Pool Tiles

Are your pool tiles safe? 

Perth’s Summer weather is here, which means lots of time spent outside, taking dips in the pool and afternoons lounging about on the outdoor tiles. Before the fun begins, it’s important to assess your swimming pool tiles, whether they be on your waterline, external to the pool or the entire shell of the swimming pool, and ensure they’re safe and ready for activities. If you have a pool it’s important to make sure the area is safe for all members of the family. Read further to learn about safe pool tiles and what to do if you need a repair.

Are your pool tiles safe? 2

Pool tile safety

Pool tiles not only make for an aesthetic centrepiece for your outdoor area, but they also provide an important protective base for your swimming enjoyment. When you’re playing Marco-Polo in the pool, you want to feel safe and easy moving around the pool rather than worried you’re going to be cut by a displaced pool tile.

Before the game of Marco-Polo begins, have a close look at your pool’s tiles to check whether there are any cracked or chipped tiles or any have fallen off completely. Depending on how the pool tiles were laid when you first put the tiles in, will greatly impact their longevity. If the pool tiles were installed by someone who’s not familiar with the correct laying process, there are lots of problems that can arise.

When considering the state of your pool tiles ask yourself the following questions:

  1. What surface were the pool tiles mounted on? If the substrate fails, cracks or deteriorates the pool tiles will inevitably fail, crack and deteriorate too.
  2. How were the pool tiles installed? Improper installation of the pool tiles will lead to breakage and deterioration. You want to make sure tiles are professionally installed.
  3. Can the water get behind the tiles? If the pool water can move behind the tiles, this is going to quickly see the tiles dropping off and slipping. 
  4. What is the condition of the coping lip of the pool? This is the overhanging ‘lip’ that borders the edge of the pool. If your pool is made from concrete, this lip can fall and results in poor sealing or due to minimal expansion areas can put pressure on the pool tiles and cause them to fail. 
  5. Have your coping stores delaminated? Delaminated coping stones around your pool will result in tile failure. The area around your pool is just as important as the pool tiles. You want a supportive base and board to hold your pool tiles.

Repairing loose tiles

If you’ve found any imperfections in your pool’s tiles you might want to consider repairs. We recommend reaching out to a professional who can help you with your pool tile damage. Although it can be tempting installing pool tiles yourself, there are many obstacles that only professionals are experienced with. For example, when pool tiles come off cleanly, many home handy persons are quick to apply new pool tiles to the previous substrate. However, the substrate (although might look perfectly fine) is an old layer that’s not suitable for tile application.

Here at Ceramic Tile Supplies Perth, we specialise in supplying tiles as well as connecting you with qualified and experienced tilers. If you’ve previously purchased pool tiles from us before you will know how thorough our services are. If you’re yet to work with our team here at Ceramic Tile Supplies Perth then we’re very happy to assist you with your current tile needs.

Are your pool tiles safe? 3
Are your pool tiles safe? 4

Preventing pool tile damage

The best way to prevent swimming pool tile damage is to have your pool tiles professionally installed from the beginning. Having high quality pool tiles installed by an experienced team, eliminates many issues that can arise in the future. Once the pool tiles have been installed incorrectly, it’s a challenge to revive the quality. 

Not any tile can be used in a pool, swimming pool tiles can include glass natural stone, porcelain and low water absorption ceramic tiles. These tiles have the strength and durability to withstand pool water and general swimming activities.

Need to replace your pool tiles?

If you’ve discovered you need to replace your swimming pool tiles, not to worry, we’re here to help. Ceramic Tile Supplies Perth offers a wide range of pool tiles to choose from at affordable prices. We work closely with tilers and experienced workers to ensure our clients get the best service. We’re here to make the process as easy and enjoyable as possible. Get in contact with our Perth tile team today: (08) 9317 4200 (Myaree), (08) 9409 9311 (Wangara).

View our range of tiles

Slip resistant bathroom tiles for aged care and disability 13

Slip resistant bathroom tiles for aged care and disability

By Architects & Builders, Bathroom Tiles, Slip Resistant, Slip Resistant Tiles
Slip resistant bathroom tiles

Reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls with non-slip bathroom floor tiles.

Slipping and falling is a major cause of home injuries for the elderly, children and people with reduced abilities. By installing non-slip floor tiles in wet areas such as the bathroom and toilet you can minimise the risk of injuries from these dangers without making your wet areas look like a 90’s hospital.

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Safe and modern slip resistant tiles for the bathroom

There is no need to compromise on tile selection when it comes to upgrading your bathroom to a slip rated floor. There are rectified tiles that have the modern look but still provide the required specifications. At Ceramic Tile Supplies, we stock a wide range of rectified and non-rectified, modern slip resistant tiles, great for making a bathrooms look fresh, modern and safe.

What to consider when choosing non-slip bathroom tiles

Commonly non-slip tiles are fully vitrified, glazed porcelain, due to their use in commercial applications. However now you can purchase a more cost effective standard glazed porcelain tile that will provide any domestic home with a floor that looks like a designer tile but is considered suitable for disability safe wet areas.

These tiles are available in all your normal tile sizes however installing smaller tiles can help provide even more traction. This is because they require more grout in between them, which adds to the overall texture of the floor and creates enhanced footing.

What makes a non-slip tile different from a normal tile?

Tiles come in various finishes, the non-slip varieties usually have an abrasive grip added to their glaze which is fired in when manufactured or the surface is textured in a particular way to create grip and friction when in use.

To determine the amount of grip or friction on the finish a tile can be graded with a slip-resistance test. There are 3 types of slip tests; Pendulum, Oil-wet inclining platform (or ramp) and Wet-barefoot inclining platform Test. All test the tiles friction against movement. 

As a guide for when selecting a slip resistant tile for residential bathrooms aim for P3 from a Pendulum test, R10 from the Oil-wet ramp test or B from a wet-barefoot ramp test. Just keep in mind anything with more grip will make life harder when it comes to cleaning your everyday bathroom.

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Slip resistant bathroom tiles for aged care and disability 16
Why choose non-slip tiles for your accessible bathroom design?

Porcelain tiles in general are waterproof, durable, cost effective, easy to clean and come in many different stylish options. A non-slip tile with a textured surface is just like any other quality tile, but with the added benefit of slip resistant properties, making it a safe and sensible floor solution for your home.

Upgrade your bathroom with the safest non-slip floor tiles in Perth

If you need to minimise slips or trips in the bathroom, speak to our experienced team today about our range of quality slip resistant bathroom floor tiles. Come visit us at our Wangara and Myaree showrooms or get in touch.

View our range of Slip Resistant Tiles

The Benefits of Slip Resistant Tiles 25

The Benefits of Slip Resistant Tiles

By Slip Resistant Tiles, Architects & Builders, Slip ResistantNo Comments

Did you know that slips, trips, and falls account for the vast majority of accidents and injuries in both the home and the workplace in Perth? The reality is that many of these accidents could be so easily prevented with the help of slip resistant floor tiles. Below, we discuss five of the main benefits of these tiles, currently available at Ceramic Tile Supplies.

Versatility

Anti-slip floor tiles are extremely versatile from an aesthetic perspective. At Ceramic Tile Supplies, you will find a host of different colours and designs to choose from to suit your preferences. Some of our best sellers include Busker Beige, Chorus White GRIP, and Downtown Bianco Matte. We also currently offer the following styles:

 

  • Decorative style
  • Stone look
  • Concrete look
  • Subway style
  • Large Format
  • Timber Look

Therefore, regardless of the type of look and feel you’d like to create, you can achieve it without sacrificing safety.

Durability

Our anti-slip flooring supplies have been manufactured to really stand the test of time. All slip-resistant tiles are certain to last substantially longer than their non-treated counterparts. Therefore, while you may pay slightly more in the short-term, you will be saving a significant amount of money in the long run.

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Low maintenance

One of the biggest pros of anti-slip flooring is the fact that it requires minimal maintenance. The non-slip coating is designed to remain strong and intact despite the amount of foot traffic the floors receive on a daily basis. This is why this type of flooring is such a sought-after choice among both homeowners and business owners in Perth.

Different levels of slip resistance

Contrary to popular belief, there is not just one level of slip-resistance when it comes to tiling. You will have the option to choose just how strong the level of strip resistance is when buying your tiles. The level you choose will depend on more than just your preferences and budget constraints. It will also depend on where you plan on having the tiles installed.

Here at Ceramic Tile Supplies, we offer three different levels of slip-resistance, namely P3, P4, and P5. These ratings are based on the wet pendulum slip-resistance test. The test makes use of a swinging pendulum with a rubber foot that has been spring loaded. When the pendulum moves through the upright position, the rubber foot comes into contact with the wet test surface and slides over it.

From there, the level of the flooring’s slip-resistance is recorded. P3 is moderately resistant to slips and falls when wet, P4 is extremely resistant to slips and falls when wet, and P5 is about as slip-resistant as a type of flooring can get.

Generally, P3 flooring is perfectly suitable for most residential applications. However, business owners may want to consider P4 and P5 rated flooring for additional safety, especially in areas that are prone to moisture and where accidents are most likely to occur.

Invest in anti-slip flooring today

Here at Ceramic Tile Supplies, we can help you find the right slip-resistant floor tiles for your home or business. The great news is that all of our anti-slip tiles are as stunning as they are functional. If you’d like to know more, stop by one of our showrooms and chat with one of our experts today!

What Is a Slip Resistant Tile? 27

What Is a Slip Resistant Tile?

By Slip Resistant Tiles, Architects & BuildersNo Comments

When designing a bathroom, kitchen, or any other space that requires a tile floor, one of the key things to always keep in mind is safety.

Surprisingly, bathrooms are one of the most dangerous rooms in a home. This is because of the high rate of slips and falls due to the slippery nature of tile and the increased presence of water. To combat this problem, many companies have started developing slip resistant variations of their tile products.

But what exactly does slip resistant mean? Are all slip-resistant tiles the same? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and many more.

Terminology

The first thing you should know when exploring the reality of slip-resistant tile is that not all tiles that are branded as slip-resistant are the same. Tiles that are tested for this quality are assigned a rating or a grade that is on a sliding scale.

It is also important to note that there is no universally agreed upon method for testing this standard although some guidelines are set forth by regulatory agencies in some countries. However, the results from one country do not directly correlate with results collected in a different country.

As a result of the lack of standardised testing of tile for slip resistance, it can be said that the term is rather subjective. Additionally, there are a number of variables that make standardisation nearly impossible, including floor wetness, the speed in which the person is walking, and the footwear they are wearing among other things.

Despite these variables, there is still some use to looking for slip-resistant tile if you understand the standards of quality and the guidelines that producers in your country follow.

Tests

As mentioned above, there are many different ways to test how slippery a tile is, and many different variables involved when conducting this testing. Of the many types of testing, the two most common are ramp tests and pendulum tests.

Ramp Test

This test is actively used in several countries including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Germany among others.

Ramp tests must always be conducted in a lab. They involve a subject walking across the tiles. Gradually, the tiles are placed on a steeper and steeper incline until the tester can no longer maintain their balance. The steeper the incline becomes before the subject loses balance indicates a higher score or rating for the test.

The typical scale for this test only ranges from 9 to 13 inclusive, leading to a major criticism: each number encompasses a wide range of qualities. Another critique of this test is that it is costly to perform because of the required lab setting.

Pendulum Test

This test, also known as the coefficient of friction test, is often used in conjunction with the ramp test. This test involves a swinging pendulum that encounters the piece of tile being tested at the bottom of its arc. The portion of the arm meeting the tile is meant to mimic either a shod heel or a bare foot. The tile is then given a rating based on how successful it was at slowing the rate of the incoming pendulum.

One large advantage of this testing method is that it can be portable and used on site. This technique does not require a completely controlled laboratory setting.

However, a couple of disadvantages include its decreased effectiveness on surfaces with pronounced profiles and the lack of practical applications explored in which a tile might be expected to operate.

In conclusion, it is important to understand how tiles are evaluated and how they are able to qualify as slip-resistant tiles. As you have learned, unfortunately, it is not as straightforward as one would hope, but now you will be able to make a more informed decision when considering safety in the tiled rooms of your home.

Contact Us

At Ceramic Tile Supplies, we can help you to find the perfect slip-resistant tile or any other type of tile you desire to complete your home improvement project. We are one of the leading providers of slip-resistant tiles in Perth. Although the tile choosing process can be confusing and overwhelming, we will be with you every step of the way to walk you through it. 

Please feel free to contact us at any time. We will be more than happy to discuss your project with you and help you get one step closer to having beautiful tile floors that are aesthetically pleasing as well as safe.