Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 Jun 02, 2008 3:58 pm I've read here and there on the forum that polished porcelain tiles are not recommended for wet areas due to their slippery-ness when wet.
I really like a matt porcelain tile I've seen - would this be okay for slippery-ness, or is it a case of, once they get sealed (I assume matt ones need to be sealed too) they are just as slippery as polished ones? Any advice appreciated... donuts Re: Porcelain tiles (again!) 2Jun 02, 2008 4:51 pm Hi Donuts,
I have them in the bathroom and have not found them slippery at all. Needless to say I'll be watching my step from now on. Mind you I also have a step from the bath in them and if anything should be slippery this should. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Paula Re: Porcelain tiles (again!) 6Jun 02, 2008 5:27 pm It depends on the particular tile. Ask for the slip rating for tiles you are considering. You can't be sure a tile needs sealing just by if its glossy or matt. There are many textured ceramic tiles that are actually porcelains, and don't need sealing, but it's hard to be definitive, (and probably is outside my knowledge anyway). Test a tile with a white board marker to see if it accepts colour.
Ash. Re: Porcelain tiles (again!) 8Jun 02, 2008 8:28 pm donuts Thanks Ash. So, if the whiteboard marker won't wipe off, then they need to be sealed? Mark it, leave it 5 mins, and wipe off. If there any 'ghosting' of the mark in the tile, yes, it needs sealing. Re: Porcelain tiles (again!) 10Jun 03, 2008 9:58 am Depends on the type of sealer, and how well it is applied. Sealers used on porcelains are penetrating type sealers that work within the tile below the surface, (as opposed to a top coat). So theoretically they should not affect the slip characteristics, or if at all minimally.
Ash. Re: Porcelain tiles (again!) 11Jun 03, 2008 4:19 pm Try if possible to stay away from matt vitrifed porcelain tiles in most internal applications - especailly the monotone (homogenous - colour right through)ones. We find that due to the fact they have no glaze on the body that are harder to keep clean as they tend to have a drier feel to them. Now the material has nearly zero perosity, but its due to the slight texture in the surface, that the grit/grime tend to stick too. When u seal a porcelain tile you are really filling it - you are filling the minute pinholes in the surface - same applies to polished porcelain tiles( as more cavities are exposed during the polishing process). We do find that the double charged vitrified porcelains do seem to have a smoother texture to them. We always advise our clients to go with a glazed tile - hard wearing, maintenance free, and the manufcaturers have far more scope with deisgn in a glaze.
Charlie Re: Porcelain tiles (again!) 14Jun 03, 2008 8:50 pm Southies petal Now I'm even more confused I thought the matte tiles WEREN'T porcelain........ You and me both, petal.......... I have no idea either, but I would say polished porcelain were the shiny ones and just plain porcelain are the matt?? can anyone answer that?? Paula Re: Porcelain tiles (again!) 16Jun 03, 2008 9:04 pm I was so set with my tile decisions. We are having floor tiles thru a lot of the house (except b'rooms and lounge).
As far as I know the floor tile I like is a matt glazed porcelain. So i just assumed it wouldn't need sealing. Now I've got to try Ash's white board marker test to see if it needs sealing. Then there's all different sealers. I am doing my head in!! I am so confused now! I don't know what tile to use! I know it can't be slippery because I have a slightly disabled dog who is the size of a small horse (I'm not kidding!) and if he goes down he will hurt himself! And I fall over myself most of the time, so it could all end in tears! Confused Jo! I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Porcelain tiles (again!) 17Jun 03, 2008 9:07 pm joles I was so set with my tile decisions. We are having floor tiles thru a lot of the house (except b'rooms and lounge). As far as I know the floor tile I like is a matt glazed porcelain. So i just assumed it wouldn't need sealing. Now I've got to try Ash's white board marker test to see if it needs sealing. Then there's all different sealers. I am doing my head in!! I am so confused now! I don't know what tile to use! I know it can't be slippery because I have a slightly disabled dog who is the size of a small horse (I'm not kidding!) and if he goes down he will hurt himself! And I fall over myself most of the time, so it could all end in tears! Confused Jo! If you have a sample, put a bit of water on and see how slippery ot becomes. Paula Re: Porcelain tiles (again!) 18Jun 03, 2008 9:12 pm Paula,
Yeah I've done that. It's fine if it doesn't need sealing. I thought it definitely didn't need sealing. But now I have no idea what needs sealing! So if it needs sealing then it may be slippery! Fine if it can go down as is. I don't want anything that has to be sealed. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Porcelain tiles (again!) 20Jun 03, 2008 9:29 pm Sometimes I wish I could go back to making ill informed stupid decisions.
At least I was able to make a decision. Now I'm just confused! Where's the grout guy when you need him? Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Firstly the ableflex that has been installed needs (manufactures specification) a sealant cap over the top, preventing water draining down between the slab and the… 3 7824 Our house was completed 8 years ago. Builder did not leave any spare roof tiles behind. Just found out that one tile is cracked. Wanted to replace the tile but most… 0 2800 1 15832 |