FIRM FOOTING

A guide to non-slip flooring for bathrooms

- AGATHA WONG

When planning and designing bathrooms, flooring deserves special attention. Non-slip flooring is essential to ensure the bathroom is a place to feel good and relax, as water splashes can quickly make the bathroom floor slippery - and create a slipping hazard. This is particularly important for the elderly, as a fall in the bathroom can cause serious injuries.

When choosing your type of non-slip bathroom flooring, the material must be durable, withstand frequent water splashes, and preferably easy to clean. But practicality doesn’t mean dull, especially since many solutions combine style with functionality. Here’s a rundown of the options available that guarantee sure-footedness even in wet conditions and makes bathing and showering more enjoyable for people of all ages.

CERAMIC TILES

Tiles are a classic choice in the bathroom - and it’s easy to see why, as they’re waterproof, robust and long-lasting. However, when choosing tiles for the bathroom, check the surface’s slip resistance. Anti-Slip ratings for tiles are determined by the Oil Wet Ramp Test, where a person walks on a slippery surface wearing cleated safety boots while being held by a harness. The ramp angle is adjusted until the individual slips, generating an R-Value where R9 has the lowest slip resistance up to the highest slip resistance of R13.