Six Steps To Choosing The Right Tiles For Your Home

1. What’s a ‘tile rating’ and why is it important?

Tiles come in an amazing array of shapes, colours, designs and finishes to suit every taste, style and purpose. Tile ratings help you find the tile to suit your needs and fit the application in terms of durability, slip resistance and variation.

Your trusted Carlisle representative will help you throughout your selection journey, and ensure your choices are fit for purpose. But this guide will help you understand the lingo along the way.

2. What do the different ratings mean?

There are three key tile ratings you need to know about:

i. Slip rating: Some tiles are more textured than others, making them even safer in wet areas such as bathrooms and outdoors. Slip ratings allow you to see this at a glance. Put simply, the higher the number the lower the risk of slipping.

Slip ratings are based off the ‘Pendulum Test’, which measures the friction between a wet tile and a standard shoe, and ranges from P0 to P5. P0 and P1 feel luxuriously smooth underfoot, so they are perfect for living areas. P2 is a great all-rounder, easily catering to multiple areas. P3 rated tiles are suitable for undercover outdoor areas, or P4 and P5 beyond this.

If you have a ramp, you might also need to consider a ‘Oil-Wet Ramp Test’ to determine the degree of slip resistance for ramps. If you are planning a pool in your new home, you will also consider a ‘Barefoot Wet Ramp Test’ in conjunction with the ‘Pendulum Test’.

ii. Wear rating: This rating helps you figure out how well a tile will fare under different levels of foot traffic. It ranges from 1 to 5, with 1 being light duty (for residential bedrooms and ensuites) and 5 being extra-heavy duty (for public walkways, shopping centres and the like).

Tiles also come in a 0 wear rating, which means they can only be used on walls.

iii. Variation rating: Advances in digital printing technology mean you can now get tiles with multiple colour tones and textures that give you the authentic look of natural materials, such as timber, brick and natural stone with the convenience of a tile.

Variation rating refers to how much variation there is between the individual tiles. It goes from V1, meaning tiles are uniform in appearance (think standard white 30x60cm wall tiles), through to V4, which indicates there will be considerable variation between tiles (such as with timber and brick-look tiles).

Essentially, the higher the variation rating, the more contrast you’ll get between tiles.

3. Which tile rating should I choose if I want my tiles to look the same or very similar?

Opt for tiles with a variation rating of V0 or V1. Tiles with these ratings are mostly consistent across colour, tone and patterns. On-trend styles to consider include Beaumont Tiles’ Majorca Floral, Spatial White or Union ranges.

4. What if I want a bit of variety and texture?

Go for a tile with a variation rating of V2 or above. For a tile that mimics the real deal without the high cost we recommend terrazzo look tiles for use on your floor or walls. Terrazzo's infinite variety of patterns and textures retain a timeless appeal and will compliment most interior themes. Or, for randomised tones that create an artful and unique installation, consider Tribeca Old Red Brick range.

5. What’s trending in appearance ratings right now?

Tiles with a variation rating of V3 or above are popular in the design world right now. Especially subway and square wall tiles emulating centuries old craftsmanship and a handmade aesthetic. Zellige type wall tiles reference this style with tone on tone colour variation between the tiles. Beaumont tiles Atmosphere range beautifully capture this trend.