Floor tiles should always have a great look, and be carefully chosen to match an overall design concept. Just as fitting a bad frame can ruin a great painting, choosing the wrong floor tiles can spoil an otherwise striking design. The floor must look good, but it also needs to be safe, durable and easy to maintain.
Safety
Safety is crucial in areas visited by the public. Areas where the floor is likely to get wet can be particularly hazardous. This is where tiles with a high anti-slip rating come in. There are various ways to test slip-resistance. Here are two of the most commonly used methods.
The Pendulum Test
A pendulum with a rubber slider attached to its end is swung over the tile sample. The pendulum will lose momentum as the slider strokes the tiles. This indicates the degree of friction offered by the tiles, giving a PTV number. PTV 0-24 is high-slip potential, 25-35 moderate slip potential, and 36 or above is labelled low slip potential.
The Ramp Test
For this test, an operator stands on a tile sample fixed to a ramp, which is slowly tilted. When the operator begins to slip, the angle is measured, and this gives an anti-slip rating. The ratings go from R9 to R13, with R13 being the most slip resistant. R10 surfaces have moderate slip resistance. R11 is more resistant and is particularly suitable for wet rooms, outdoor surfaces and swimming pools.
At Digital Ceramics, we produce attractive tiles carrying a high anti-slip rating. If you are looking for beautifully designed floor tiles combining attractiveness with safety, contact us now.
Talk to us today and find out how we can transform a project of any scale into an exciting visual experience.
