If you’re looking to buy floor tiles for your bathroom, safety is a primary concern. In this guide, we take an in-depth look at anti-slip tiles, so you can make the best choice for you and your family.
Most homes feature tiling of some kind, be it in the bathroom or kitchen, with some relying on tiles more than others. While they are commonly used to protect walls from water infiltration, tiles are also a popular flooring choice and therefore must be strong enough to withstand high levels of foot traffic.
Safety is also a big concern in kitchens and bathrooms due to liquid and water spillages that frequently occur. This is where anti-slip tiles can play an important role, which is why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you choose the right ones for your home.
What are anti-slip tiles?
To start off with the basics, anti-slip tiles are designed to make flooring safer by significantly reducing the risk of people slipping. This is done by creating non-smooth surfaces to texture the tile, so if water or liquid is spilt and walked across, you are more likely to stay standing on your feet.
While the surface is textured and less smooth than standard tiles they prove to be just as durable and stylish, with a wide range of styles available to choose from. To help you identify the right ones, anti-slip tiles are given their own slip resistance rating, which makes it easier to control risks in your home environment.
What is a slip resistance rating (R rating)?
A tile slip resistance rating (referred to as an R rating) is conducted at manufacturing level to determine the suitability of tiles for particular rooms and spaces. This is carried out by conducting a ramp test, which involves an individual (who will be either barefoot or wearing standard footwear) standing on a ramp while wearing a restraint harness.
They then walk backwards and forwards over a testing tile that has been coated with oil or soapy water. The angle of the ramp (in degrees) is slowly increased until it reaches the safe limit of walking and the individual slips—this then determines the R rating given to the tile product.
The full R rating list for tiles is as follows:
| Degrees | R rating | Example |
|---|---|---|
Tiles that fall into the R9 category are good for use in areas of the home that are unlikely to get too wet or where spillages can be cleaned up without much delay. If you want slightly more secure tiles for the bathroom, R10 or R11 products are usually the best option. R13-rated tiles are classified as being the most slip-resistant.
All our tiles feature an individual R rating, which you will find in the Installation & Features section of the Dimensions and Specifications section (see example below).
What are the benefits of anti-slip tiles?
Installing anti-slip tiles in your home brings a number of benefits, including:
Better safety
Kitchen and bathrooms are generally to of the busiest areas of any home. By installing anti-slip tiles, you reduce the risk of anyone falling and injuring themselves. This is especially helpful for homes with young children full of energy running around and for the elderly and disabled, who may have more difficulty retaining their balance.
Low maintenance
Like all tiling, anti-slip tiles are extremely easy to clean, cutting down on upkeep requirements. All they require is a regular mopping using floor detergent. This applies to all types of anti-slip tiles, regardless of the finish that has been applied, making them a great investment for any home.
Easy installation
Depending on the level of your DIY skills you may be able to lay the tiles yourself. Even if you want to hire a professional to complete the job, it is a relatively easy task for most experienced flooring specialists, and they should be able to finish a single room within a day or 2 at most.
Adaptable use
While non-slip tiles are typically found in bathrooms and kitchens, they also work well in hallways, porches, patios and around swimming pools. Water and liquid can be spilled in these areas too and using anti-slip tiling ensures everyone around the home is that little bit safer.
What type of anti-slip tiles are available?
It’s not just water and liquid spillages that can cause people to slip on tiling. Bathrooms generate a lot of steam and condensation which makes floor surfaces slippery to walk on, as can shampoos and creams that may be dropped onto the floor.
In the kitchen, fruit and vegetable peelings often fall to the floor and can be missed underfoot which can lead to accidents. When you add in the large amounts of water and liquids that are used and consumed in both these rooms, along with the non-grip, comfortable footwear often worn at home (such as slippers or socks) you can see why most slips in the home happen in these environments.
Anti-slip tiles offer a better level of grip so you can still wear the footwear you prefer at home while walking across surfaces that could cause you to slip. And as with standard, smooth tiles, there is a huge selection to choose from.
Below, we’ve picked out some of our most popular, and on every tile product page on our website you can easily calculate how many packs of anti-slip tiles you need to purchase based on the dimensions of your space.
R9-rated tiling
Grey tiles, like those from our Laguna range (pictured below), are becoming increasingly popular for all types of homes, the smooth, neutral tone creating a contemporary look that presents a clean cut image for bathrooms and kitchens.
Sized at 600mm x 600mm and made from glazed porcelain, the matt finish ensures a subtle reflection of light that expands the space and dimensions of the room.
You can also purchase 300 x 600mm sizes, or mix and match with a combination of both, with the tile sold in packs of 3, covering a total of 1.08 m² per box. Other colour options available in the Laguna range include light grey and white stone.
Shop R9-rated tiles for bathrooms
R10-rated tiling
Stone-effect tiling looks sensational on the floor of kitchens, bathrooms and hallways, adding real style and luxury. It looks just as good as the real thing, except it costs far less and does not require as much maintenance.
The Meridien white stone anti-slip tile (pictured above) is sized at 308mm x 615mm and comes with 7 tiles in each box, offering a total floor coverage of 1.33 m².
It features a lightly textured surface to complement the matt finish that helps to replicate the natural stone appeal. For a sleeker look, the Meridien anti-slip tile is available in black for use on both floors and walls, if required.
Shop R-10 rated anti-slip tiles
R11-rated tiling
With 3 tiles per box creating a floor coverage of 1.08 m², the Alicura charcoal tile (pictured below) comes in a larger size to create a smooth, seamless finish right across the floor of your kitchen or bathroom.
Darker colours such as this create a classic and sophisticated look in the home, especially with the rustic stone effect on offer. It features a matt finish for enhanced safety and when combined with lighter colours will make the room a real standout area in your home.
The tile size is 600mm x 600mm, with grey and ivory stone effect colours also available to purchase.
Shop R-11 rated anti-slip tiles
Shop tiles
You’ll find a wide range of anti-slip tiles at Victoria Plum, available in a range of modern and traditional designs, colours and textures. Simply click on the image below to begin browsing.
Tiling advice and ideas
If you’re thinking of tiling your bathroom yourself, or any other room for that matter, you’ll discover all the expert advice you need right here at Victoria Plum. Whether you need to calculate how many tiles you need, get tips on grouting, or simply find out how to replace a single tile, you’ll find easy-to-follow videos and step-by-step instructions to help you master the art of tiling.
Struggling for ideas when it comes to choosing your tiles? We regularly provide updates showing the latest bathroom tile ideas, including some of the more unusual ways to use tiles and intriguing metro tile designs. Be inspired!
