The short answer: yes. Porcelain pattern tiles are one of the most popular bathroom floor choices in Sydney. Look for a slip rating of R10 (or P3 on the pendulum test), which is what Standards Australia handbook HB 198 commonly recommends for wet areas. Most of our Spanish porcelain pattern floor tiles are R10, have a matt finish and need no sealing.
What do slip ratings mean?
In Australia, floor tiles are tested for slip resistance under AS 4586. You will see two kinds of rating:
- R ratings (R9 to R13) come from a ramp test in a laboratory. The higher the number, the more slip resistant the surface.
- P ratings (P0 to P5) come from a wet pendulum test, which can be done in a lab or on an installed floor. Again, higher is more slip resistant.
Standards Australia handbook HB 198:2014 sets out recommended ratings for different areas. It is a guide rather than a law for private homes, but it is widely followed by builders, designers and certifiers.
| Area | Commonly recommended rating | Our pattern tiles |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom, ensuite and laundry floors | R10 / P3 | Most porcelain pattern floor tiles are R10 |
| Kitchens, hallways and entries | R9 to R10 | R10 porcelain pattern tiles suit these areas |
| Covered outdoor areas and verandahs | R10 to R11, depending on exposure | Many R10 porcelain designs are suited to covered outdoor areas; our Arc series is R11 |
| Uncovered outdoor areas and pool surrounds | R11 / P4 or higher | Ask us about outdoor rated options |
| Walls and splashbacks | No slip rating needed | Any of our pattern tiles, including 150 x 150mm wall tiles |
If your project has a builder or certifier, confirm the rating they require before you order.
Choosing a pattern tile for a bathroom floor
Choose porcelain for floors
Porcelain is dense, hard wearing and has very low water absorption, which makes it the safest choice for wet area floors. Glazed ceramic pattern tiles are excellent on bathroom walls. If you love the look of traditional cement tiles, read our guide to encaustic vs encaustic look tiles.
Pick a matt finish
Matt finishes feel better underfoot when wet and hide water marks. Most of our Spanish pattern floor tiles are matt.
Think about tile size for showers
A shower floor has to fall to the waste. Smaller formats such as 200 x 200mm and 223 x 223mm follow those falls more easily than large tiles, and the extra grout lines add grip. Many of our pattern tiles come in exactly these sizes.
Let the pattern work for you
A busy pattern hides water spots, footprints and everyday dust far better than a plain pale tile. In a small bathroom, a patterned floor with plain walls keeps the room feeling open. In a larger bathroom, you can run the pattern up a feature wall or behind the vanity.
Buy enough, from one batch
Allow extra for cuts and keep a few spare tiles for repairs. Our guide to how many boxes of tiles you need has a calculator using our real box sizes.
Where to see pattern bathroom floor tiles
We have over 150 different pattern tile designs from Spain on display at our Leichhardt showroom, with Spanish pattern tiles starting from $88 per square metre. Browse our European bathroom tiles, black and white pattern tiles and Hamptons and coastal tiles, or see the full pattern tile gallery.
