How to Check If Tiles Are Anti-Skid

Tiles are important to any interior or exterior space, such as houses, offices, hospitals, etc. They not only look pretty and aesthetically pleasing, but they also add a protective layer on your floor (as well as the wall). Floor tiles can be quite risky in spaces that are prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, stairs, and kitchens. While most tiles that come with a lapato or matte finish have anti-slip properties, they are good to a certain extent only.  If you have elderly people, infants, young children, or patients in your family, they might still find matte and lapato finish tiles to be slippery. In such cases, to avoid any unforeseen accidents, it is best to use anti-skid tiles such as the orientbell tiles anti-skid tiles.Anti-skid tiles can not only be used in houses, but they can also prove to be beneficial in commercial spaces such as hospitals, schools, hotels, and nurseries where extra protection and security are needed.  Do you have toddlers at home? If yes, then don’t forget to read our parenting guide that will help you in your parenting journey.

What Are Anti-Skid Tiles?

Anti-skid tiles, commonly referred to as anti-slip tiles, are special floor tiles that have added traction, which can prevent slipping and accidents to a large extent. These tiles are thus often used in spaces with a lot of moisture or water, including kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor spaces, swimming pool decks, patios, etc.  Anti-skid tiles come with specially designed surfaces to prevent or reduce the chance of accidents. These tiles have a rough or matte surface which is additionally enhanced through ‘punch’. Punch adds texture to the surface of the tiles, thus increasing the friction between the tile and your feet (or footwear). The combination of punch and matte finish enhances stability as well as grip and thus reduces the chance of accidents and injuries even when the floor is wet.  Orientbell Tiles Anti-skid tiles are made of ceramic and vitrified material with a matte finish and better punch. The combination of a textured surface with the strength and durability of porcelain and ceramic make these tiles a perfect choice for your space. 

How to Choose the Right Anti-Skid Tiles?

The right anti-skid tiles are crucial for the safety of your loved ones. Here’s how you can pick the right anti-skid tiles and ensure you create a secure space without compromising on quality or aesthetics.

1. Look for slip resistance or consider the CoF (coefficient of friction) to avoid unfortunate incidents.
2. Choose matte tile or textured tiles for a better grip and avoid glossy or polished tiles.
3. Water absorption rate ensures longevity of tile and better friction, leading to better grip.
4. Smaller tiles demand more grout lines, leading to a more stable grip.
5. The tiles should be durable and have enough strength to withstand continuous wear and tear.
6. They should be non-porous and easy to clean and maintain.

Benefits of Anti-Skid Tiles

Anti-skid tiles are designed to increase friction and ensure a firm grip to avoid slipping. You can experience safety and stability in moisture-prone areas thanks to anti-skid tiles. These are ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, patios, and areas around swimming pools. These tiles have a matte finish or a textured surface and are made with ceramic or vitrified material. The subtly raised spots on the tiles allow friction to increase between your feet/footwear and the surface. You can find this effect in Orientbell Tiles’ extensive collection of anti-skid tiles. Better known as “punch”, this quality in anti-skid tiles reduces accidents and minimises the risk of injury. Refined finish and advanced surface punch make anti-skid tiles a superior choice for wet areas.

Best Places to Use Anti-Skid Tiles

You can use Anti-Skid tiles both indoors as well as outdoors. You should install anti-skid tiles in all the spaces that are prone to moisture, including bathrooms, balconies, laundry rooms, kitchens, swimming pool decks, outdoors, patios, etc. In commercial spaces, you may install anti-skid tiles in hospitals, clinics, schools, nurseries, way to parking lots, and similar spaces to reduce the chance of accidents. 

Anti-Skid Tiles vs Ceramic Tiles: What’s Better?

The answer to this question depends on whether you need anti-skid tiles or not. As Anti-Skid tiles are also ceramic tiles, they have all the benefits of regular ceramic tiles, but for added safety, the features of traditional ceramic tiles are enhanced in the case of anti-skid tiles.  For instance, anti-skid tiles are thicker than regular ceramic tiles making them stronger and more durable. They also have a longer life and offer excellent resistance to water. Their special surface with a punch and a matte finish makes them safer than regular ceramic tiles. Their surface also slows down the process of weathering. 

How to Identify Anti-Skid Tiles

Identifying anti-skid tiles for safer flooring is vital. Here are the 3 ways to identify anti-skid tiles from the rest:

1. The most important point of identification is that anti-skid tiles have a textured finish and aren’t smooth or glossy.
2. They provide a firm grip when you step on, even with water.
3. They are made in a matte finish, with a punch texture, which means there is slight friction due to raised points on the tiles.

The preferred tiles are vitrified or ceramic, but it is essential to ensure lab certifications. Verify the slip resistance or coefficient of friction along with the rest of the product specifications. So why spend all your time fretting over your flooring when you should be enjoying it? Still have some doubt about it? Check out this video. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aA7LAhOCt4c[/embed]

Design Options for Anti-Skid Tiles

There are multiple spaces in the house which can be adorned with anti-skid tiles. Find the best tile for the perfect location and create the perfect ambience. Starting with prints, you can find anti-skid tiles in every category of design. The anti-skid tiles in our collection add appeal and make the room seem more spacious. When it comes to anti-skid, there are many designs available, but the most popular ones are cement, 3D, and textured designs. If you are looking to create an illusion of more space, the Sahara Rock Creama is the ideal tile for you. Not only does its size of 600x600mm ensure that there are less grout lines visually cluttering your space, the light cream hue reflects maximum light and makes your space a lot brighter! So if you are looking at renovating your spaces or doing up your flooring, make it senior citizen friendly and safeguard them from uncalled accidents that could jeopardize their well-being. Look no further; check out our entire anti-skid tiles collection. While choosing anti-skid tiles, always remember to take into account the area of use, R-value, design, and foot traffic in the space. If you would like to visualise how a tile will look in your space, try the TriaLook tool available on the Orientbell website. The Trialook is a visualiser tool that allows you to see how a particular tile will look in your space. 

Maintenance Tips for Anti-Skid Tiles

Here are some tips that can help you keep your anti-skid tiles clean and maintain their texture to keep the grip intact. Clean tiles regularly with a vacuum cleaner or sweep to remove superficial dust and avoid build-up over time. Try your best to use mild cleaners with water to wash and clean regularly to avoid grime from setting in. It is important to use a soft brush to scrub or clean to maintain the tiles’ roughness. Avoid air drying and dry the floor after you mop it to avoid water from accumulating in small pools. This can lead to moisture and the growth of moss, making the floor slippery in those patches. Plan a dedicated deep cleaning routine at least once a month to ensure the tiles remain in good condition. Here are some things you can avoid that can prolong the life of the tiles:

1. Try to avoid acidic or harsh cleaners and go for the milder options.
2. Do not use wax or polish as it will defeat the purpose.
3. It is best not to use harsh scrubbers or polishing machines on the floor.
4. If you wash it with soap, the area should be cleaned with fresh water thoroughly to avoid slippery patches and soap residue.