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How can I improve slip resistance on bath floor-porcelain tile?

17 years ago

I'd like to get a glazed porcelain tile (Tilecrest Alabaster) in 24x24 for the bathroom floor. The sample seems slippery. I've looked on the net for products that could be applied which (1) won't ruin the finish of the tile and (2) will provide slip resistance. Anybody have experience with something that works in both these regards? Thank you.

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Comments (4)

mahatmacat1
17 years ago
I hate to say this, but if you really want slip resistance, it's best to get a tile that's rated for slip resistance. There are plenty of tiles that are. Do you know what the slip resistance rating of it is? If it's a 24x24, it's definitely meant as a floor tile...I'd be surprised if it's really really slippery, but I guess it's possible.

Hmmm now I've gone to the Tilecrest site, and the largest format I see of any of the tiles is 20x20...on the other hand, I don't see "alabaster" listed anywhere, so is it a new tile not on their site? Or do I have the wrong site entirely?

Here is a link that might be useful: is this it?
susanka
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi, flyleft -- that's the site, and it's not on there. It's sold through Bedrosians', but it's not on their site either. I just went and got a 24x24 of it yesterday; maybe it's a new line, I don't know. It has a very subtle marble-like look. It's glazed, and it's porcelain.

I'll post more after I call the store tomorrow. Thank you very much for trying to find it.
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Anna in TX and Enduring - LOL! Kudzu we're so happy to be part of your "intervention". I went through this too, argued with my GC, DH, etc. that I wanted the larger tile in the floor. People here on GW educated me to look at the options to make it safer. I don't have pictures yet as the floor tiling will begin on Mon, but our tile contractor cut my large format into smaller rectangles to match the scale of the large ones, kind of like a miniature version of them. Obviously the labor will be more to place those as they are not on mesh sheets, but they are very meticulous even with the large tiles, so even if I bought the 2x2 matching tiles, it might not have gone any faster. The 2x2s available in our tile also reversed the pattern on each tile and I didn't care for it. I doubt you will need any topical treatment after the smaller tiles are in.
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The tile will be fine with the dog. Real wood would be fine with the dog too with regular nail clipping - the nails should be short enough that you don't hear his toenails click when he walks. However, I don't keep up on my dogs' nails that well, but any scratches blend in are not noticeable. The trick is to get a distressed wood floor. :) edited to add: we have a porcelain wood look tile from HD or Lowe's in the master bath. It wasn't too expensive and looks very nice. But personally I prefer read wood floors everywhere else, so that's why I gave you my experience above. This post was edited by tracie.erin on Fri, Jun 20, 14 at 9:16
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Personally, I would use a larger matte tile on the floor of the bathroom and stick with the 2x2 just on the wet floor. Stepping out of the shower onto a dry floor will not cause to you slip. It's when there is present moisture on the floor that you could slip. So the thought of having more grout joints in the shower for traction is more ideal. If you're still stuck on using 2x2 for the entire floor of the bathroom, I'm not going to fight you...it's your money and 2x2 is way more expensive than the larger format tiles. For grout, use an epoxy or single component grout. These grouts have built in sealers and are moisture proof. Cleaning of the products is as easy as using vinegar and water.
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You are correct, Emily. The kerf of the saw blade takes close to an 1/8" of tile. Therefore, cutting from both ends leaves the center section too narrow to be used if they are to be a full 4" wide (assuming the cuts are parallel to the long edge). The OP will get 48" of usable baseboard from each tile, and the rest is waste. As you suggested, all of the pieces can have the factory edge exposed at the top.
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floorguy
17 years ago
The reason you see small tiles on bathroom floors, is for slip resistance. Mosaic tiles are the best for slip resistance. The grout lines are your bare feet's best friend.

24x24 are going to be slick, unless they have some texture to the surface, to resemble natural stone.
oruboris
17 years ago
I would never install a tile I knew was slippery: no matter how good they look, its just not worth it.

I even check my samples wet, since I've seen so many tile floors that were like hockey rinks when you scrub.

But if I already had a slippery floor, I'd try Grip On: have no idea if it really works...

Here is a link that might be useful: Grip On

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