understanding tile slip ratings
a guide to choosing the right tile for your home
Slip ratings are designed to help you choose a tile that’s safe and suitable for where it will be used in your home. Developed in line with Australian Standards, these ratings provide guidance on how a tile performs underfoot in different conditions, such as dry, wet, or exposed areas. They’re especially helpful when selecting tiles for spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, patios, and pool surrounds, where slip resistance is an important consideration.
Pendulum Test (P Rating)
The Pendulum Test measures how much grip a floor surface provides when a foot makes contact with it. This test can assess slip resistance in dry, wet, and contaminated conditions, making it particularly useful for indoor areas.
The results are given a P rating, and the higher the number, the lower the risk of slipping:
This rating helps you match the tile to the level of safety needed for each room in your home.
Oil Wet Ramp Test (R Rating)
The Oil Wet Ramp Test is commonly used for areas that may be exposed to higher slip risks, such as outdoor spaces or commercial environments. In this test, tiles are placed on an inclined ramp and coated with oil. Trained testers walk on the surface to determine the angle at which it becomes unsafe.
The steeper the angle achieved, the better the slip resistance. Results are expressed as an R rating:
Why this matters to you
Slip ratings take the guesswork out of choosing the right tile by helping you balance safety, practicality, and design. By understanding these ratings, you can feel confident that the tile you select is not only beautiful but also appropriate for its intended location and everyday use.
If you’d like, I can also help recommend suitable slip ratings for specific areas of your home—just let me know where the tiles will be installed.
