Floor Tiles

About

Floor Tiles Buying Guide Floor tiles take footsteps, dragged chairs and wet feet, so the material, slip rating and wear rating matter as much as the colour. This collection brings together every tile listed for floors, mostly porcelain with some natural stone and mosaics, including the Ardenne travertine look, Cairnwell and Nimbus stone looks, Avedon limestone look, Southside terrazzo look and Briq unglazed mosaics. It covers bathrooms, kitchens, living areas and outdoor spaces. What is the best material for floor tiles? Porcelain is the most practical choice for most floors. It is made from a denser mix than ceramic and fired at a higher temperature, so it absorbs very little water and stands up to wear, moisture and knocks. Most porcelain needs no sealing. Natural stone, such as the tumbled travertine subway tile, gives a one-of-a-kind look but needs sealing and more regular care, especially in wet areas. Ceramic is lighter and better suited to dry rooms. What slip rating do I need for a floor tile? Australian floor tiles are rated under AS 4586, and the P rating from P0 to P5 shows grip on a wet surface; higher is grippier. For dry living areas and hallways, P2 or P3 is usually enough. Bathrooms, laundries and kitchens suit P3 or P4, and shower floors should be P3 or above with some texture. Pool surrounds and open outdoor areas need P5. The Southside Terrazzo external tile is P5, while the Ardenne range is P4 and Cairnwell is P3. What does the wear rating mean? The wear rating, from 1 to 5, shows how well a tile resists scratching under foot traffic. A rating of 4 suits floors in a normal family home, while 5 suits high-traffic and commercial areas, such as the Eton brick look. Ratings of 2 or 3 suit light traffic, so they are better in a bedroom than an entry hall. Check both the slip and wear lines on each product page. Which floor tiles suit bathrooms and kitchens? For bathrooms and laundries, choose a tile listed for indoor wet areas and a matte or textured