What Do I... Need to Know About Tile Slip and Appearance Ratings?
There's a lot more to choosing tiles than just looks – an expert reveals the technical details you need to know about
Georgia Madden
24 August 2019
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and design questions. Here, Dean Booker, national buyer for Beaumont Tiles, explains the nuts and bolts of the different tile ratings you’ll come across when you’re in-store – and how to work out which is the right tile for your needs.
What is a ‘tile rating’?
Tiles come in different shapes, sizes, colours, materials and finishes, which is why tile ratings are important. Tile ratings are international technical evaluations that are used to help you make an informed decision about which tile is the best fit for your needs.
Find a tiler on Houzz to help you redo your kitchen or bathroom
Tiles come in different shapes, sizes, colours, materials and finishes, which is why tile ratings are important. Tile ratings are international technical evaluations that are used to help you make an informed decision about which tile is the best fit for your needs.
Find a tiler on Houzz to help you redo your kitchen or bathroom
What are the main tile ratings I need to know about?
Slip rating: Among other things, tiles are best known for their hardness and smoothness. However, some tiles are more textured than others, making them more suitable for wet areas such as bathrooms, laundries and swimming pool surrounds. Slip ratings are designed to make this a quick-glance process.
Slip ratings are based off the ‘Pendulum Test’, which measures the friction between a wet tile and a standard shoe. It ranges from P0 to P5. The higher the number, the lower the risk of slipping.
Tiles with a P0 or P1 slip rating possess a very high slip risk and should not be used in any application requiring slip resistance, such as around a swimming pool. A P3 slip rating is suitable for indoor flooring. Tiles with a P4 or P5 rating have a very low slip risk and can be used in all outdoor locations.
Slip rating: Among other things, tiles are best known for their hardness and smoothness. However, some tiles are more textured than others, making them more suitable for wet areas such as bathrooms, laundries and swimming pool surrounds. Slip ratings are designed to make this a quick-glance process.
Slip ratings are based off the ‘Pendulum Test’, which measures the friction between a wet tile and a standard shoe. It ranges from P0 to P5. The higher the number, the lower the risk of slipping.
Tiles with a P0 or P1 slip rating possess a very high slip risk and should not be used in any application requiring slip resistance, such as around a swimming pool. A P3 slip rating is suitable for indoor flooring. Tiles with a P4 or P5 rating have a very low slip risk and can be used in all outdoor locations.
Wear rating: Floor tiles can be subject to surface abrasion caused by foot traffic, so wear ratings are there to help you determine which tiles will be a good match for your needs given the different levels of foot traffic in your home.
Tile wear ratings range from one to five. A tile wear rating of one is ‘light duty’ – suitable for residential bedrooms and ensuites. A wear rating of five is ‘extra-heavy duty’ – for hotels, shopping centres and public walkways.
Tip: Any tile with a wear rating of zero is only suitable for walls.
Let’s Talk Tiles: An Alphabetical Guide to Tile Terms
Tile wear ratings range from one to five. A tile wear rating of one is ‘light duty’ – suitable for residential bedrooms and ensuites. A wear rating of five is ‘extra-heavy duty’ – for hotels, shopping centres and public walkways.
Tip: Any tile with a wear rating of zero is only suitable for walls.
Let’s Talk Tiles: An Alphabetical Guide to Tile Terms
Which slip rating should I choose for a bathroom?
Choose a tile with a slip rating of P3 or above for wet rooms such as a bathroom, kitchen or laundry. For exterior areas or around a swimming pool, select tiles with a rating of P4 or P5.
Building to a Budget: How Tiles, Flooring and Paint Can Add Up
Choose a tile with a slip rating of P3 or above for wet rooms such as a bathroom, kitchen or laundry. For exterior areas or around a swimming pool, select tiles with a rating of P4 or P5.
Building to a Budget: How Tiles, Flooring and Paint Can Add Up
What is ‘tile variation rating’?
Thanks to digital tile printing technology, tiles have evolved to allow for multiple colour tones and designs within the one style. As a result, tiles can perfectly emulate the look of natural materials such as stone and timber.
The is called a ‘variation rating’ and it ranges from V1 (think the uniform appearance of standard white wall tiles) to V4 (which indicates a substantial variation in colour, tone and pattern, such as what you’d see in brick-look tiles). Essentially, the higher the variation rating, the more contrast you’ll get between the individual tiles.
The appeal of higher-rated tiles is that you’re able to combine the appearance of natural materials with the ease of installation and low-maintenance requirements of tiles.
Thanks to digital tile printing technology, tiles have evolved to allow for multiple colour tones and designs within the one style. As a result, tiles can perfectly emulate the look of natural materials such as stone and timber.
The is called a ‘variation rating’ and it ranges from V1 (think the uniform appearance of standard white wall tiles) to V4 (which indicates a substantial variation in colour, tone and pattern, such as what you’d see in brick-look tiles). Essentially, the higher the variation rating, the more contrast you’ll get between the individual tiles.
The appeal of higher-rated tiles is that you’re able to combine the appearance of natural materials with the ease of installation and low-maintenance requirements of tiles.
Which tile rating should I choose if I want a bit of variety and texture in my tiles?
Any tile with a variation rating of V2 or above will give you clearly distinguishable textures and patterns.
Which tile rating should I choose if I want my tiles to look exactly the same?
A tile variation rating of V0 or V1 will ensure your tiles are uniform in appearance. They will have little or no variation in colour, tone, pattern and texture.
Your Common Bathroom Tiling Questions Answered
Any tile with a variation rating of V2 or above will give you clearly distinguishable textures and patterns.
Which tile rating should I choose if I want my tiles to look exactly the same?
A tile variation rating of V0 or V1 will ensure your tiles are uniform in appearance. They will have little or no variation in colour, tone, pattern and texture.
Your Common Bathroom Tiling Questions Answered
What’s trending right now?
V4 variation ratings are gaining traction and popularity among homeowners and designers. For people who love the look of timber or stone but don’t want the warping, dents or upkeep that can come with these materials, natural tile emulations are perfect.
9 Reasons to Love Timber-Look Tiles in the Bathroom
V4 variation ratings are gaining traction and popularity among homeowners and designers. For people who love the look of timber or stone but don’t want the warping, dents or upkeep that can come with these materials, natural tile emulations are perfect.
9 Reasons to Love Timber-Look Tiles in the Bathroom
How can I be sure I get the look I want?
It’s always best to see tiles in person before making a purchase, so inspect samples in a showroom or in a real-life setting. This is especially true for tiles with a V3 or V4 variation rating, which can have striking colour, tone and texture variations from piece to piece – which is all an intentional part of the look.
It’s also a good idea to ask your tiler to dry lay the tiles before installing them. This will give you an opportunity to see what the result will look like and make any adjustments before they’re glued and grouted.
It’s always best to see tiles in person before making a purchase, so inspect samples in a showroom or in a real-life setting. This is especially true for tiles with a V3 or V4 variation rating, which can have striking colour, tone and texture variations from piece to piece – which is all an intentional part of the look.
It’s also a good idea to ask your tiler to dry lay the tiles before installing them. This will give you an opportunity to see what the result will look like and make any adjustments before they’re glued and grouted.
Your turn
What has your experience of picking tiles been like? Share your tips in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more practical home advice? Don’t miss A Tradie Explains: 5 Reasons to Not Attempt Your Own Plumbing
What has your experience of picking tiles been like? Share your tips in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more practical home advice? Don’t miss A Tradie Explains: 5 Reasons to Not Attempt Your Own Plumbing
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Thank you! I’d always wondered what all those ratings meant.
I have seen a lot of P2 rated tiles on bathroom/shower floors lately. Some tile suppliers don't even provide a P rating for tiles that are obviously designed for floors. As someone who tore a hamstring by slipping on wet tiles it s quite concerning that slip ratings don't seem to be on many people's radars when they build or renovate.