Column: Tiled Flooring Requirements 101 – For Busy Specifiers!
Commercial floors are a minefield!
I’ve learnt to start every conversation with performance related to the project, followed by beauty of the product.
Here’s a few key points to keep in mind on every project when you are looking into your next space:
1. Slip resistance: UK HSE guidance requires a Pendulum Test Value ≥ 36 for low-risk areas. Examples of these areas include – lobbies, restaurants, bars, and sometimes clients require more.
Ignore the R ratings, they are not a standard within the UK!
2. Wear & load: Aim for PEI 4-5 for porcelain needed on resilient floors. This equates to enough for 1,000+ footfalls a day, and heavy trolleys.
3. Moisture: Make sure the concrete screed is completely dry prior to installation, and if there is underfloor heating, make sure it is commissioned correctly.
4. Batches: Prior to installation, make sure the contractor checks the boxes of each tile they plan to install, ensuring batch codes match. If they do not and the contractor installs the material anyway, the factory may not assist any claims.
Other design considerations:
- The amount of cutting required (and therefore wastage) caused by a particular tile layout should be considered during your planning stage. Careful planning mitigate issues, reduces wastage and cutting to a minimum.
- Take time to consider how the tiles can best be laid out to maximise aesthetic appeal and/or minimise cutting. Tiles should be dry-laid in an area in suitable light as a final check before installation. Tiles should be arranged to obtain the best aesthetic result, especially if using a tile with a shade variation over V2.
Getting these right will save you so much time (and stress! Later down the line. Let the porcelain be your secret powerhouse, and the design speak for itself!
Emilio Mudrak, Director of Mudrak & Sons