3. What About Non-Slip Tiles?
“Non-Slip” is something of a misnomer when it comes to describing a tile. Put simply, no tile can be guaranteed to be slip-proof. In the UK and Ireland, we use a slip rating system known as R-Ratings, with the results of any particular tile ranging between R-9 and R-13. A higher rating indicates a more slip-resistant tile. There’s no applicable building regulation at the moment for slip-resistance. Tiles with any given “R” rating do not have to be used in any particular area, but the higher ones, in particular, R-11 and higher, are definitely recommended for disabled-access bathrooms and public areas. Often, an architect will nominate a minimum rating if he or she is detailing the specification on a project. Obviously, a polished porcelain or gloss finish tile is slippery than natural finish porcelain or a matt glazed tile. Because any floor tile may be used on any indoor floor, and without a building regulation, it’s up to the consumer to choose an appropriate product in terms of performance and design, based on the practical information available.
The main point to remember is that ALL floor surfaces are slippery when wet, including tiles. Easy Stone Corp. is not in a position to offer a slip-resistant or slip-proof guarantee, either expressed or implied. What we can do is offer advice, and provide you with the information you need. Please ensure that any floor tiles you purchase conform to your needs. We're happy to offer assistance in this matter, and to that end, we’ve provided an “anti-slip” option in the drop-down list in our search tool. In summary: Tiles have non-slip ratings. The higher the rating, the better the grip it will provide. There’s no way of providing a 100% guarantee that a tile will be slip-proof, but some are far more suitable than others.
4. Can You Tell Me About Natural Stone Tiles?
Easy Stone Corp. offers a range of travertine tiles and also mosaics, which incorporate pieces of travertine, limestone, granite, and other stones. For the most part, these tiles differ little in terms of installation to their ceramic and porcelain counterparts. However: Large thick slabs of stone are heavy, so please ensure you have strong, sturdy walls if you intend to install them in a bathroom. Your tiler will be able to gauge the suitability of the stone for a bathroom wall. Most large stone tiles will need to be cut using electrical power tools. This can be messy and should be done outdoors, taking all necessary safety precautions. All stone (even polished) is porous. It’s imperative that it’s sealed prior to the completion of the installation work. Please use our water-based Stone and Grout Protector immediately after fitting any of our stone products. This will hugely contribute to reductions in staining and absorption of water. Easy Stone Corp. recommends that only a white adhesive is used when laying natural stone. This helps resist any staining if the stone is exceptionally porous - the pigments in a grey adhesive can creep towards the surface by capillary action and cause discoloration.
5. What Size Tile Should I Use?
The size of tile you choose can have as much an effect on the appearance of your project as the design and finish. It usually comes down to personal preference, and the trend these days is towards larger tiles. However, there are a couple of points to bear in mind: Larger tiles will leave a room with fewer grout lines, thus creating a more streamlined look to a room. It’s common now to use large tiles in some of the smaller rooms in the house. It’s generally agreed that a large tile makes a small area look bigger. If large tiles are used in a very tight area (e.g. a 1.5 sqm floor in an en suite) it might be the case that almost every tile would end up being cut. We would not recommend installing a 60 x 60cm tile, five tiles of which would be needed, in such a space. The same applies to bathroom walls – it doesn’t make sense to put a 75 cm wide tile in a shower cubicle that is only 80cm wide. Note that larger tiles tend to need more adhesive for installation. This is because such tiles cannot follow the minor undulations in your walls and floors in the same way that small tiles can. Because of this, all the tiles need to be raised up slightly to meet the highest point, requiring extra adhesive beneath, In summary: Tile size is a personal choice. Just be mindful that the tile is not so big that it will overwhelm a small space.