Floor & Wall Tile in Health Club Design
Purchasing Wall or Floor Tile: This Is What You Need to Know
Tile can be an awesomely beautiful and durable choice for walls and floors. They help create the ambiance and look for the space and can be applied to lobbies, locker rooms, shower areas, and even exterior walls. There are unlimited choices and can appear to be wood, stone, marble, silk, linen, and even cotton.
Also, tile has durability and beauty like very few finishes. A little attention to detail in your choices will be appreciated by your customers now and long into the future.
Wall Tile on Columns and Reception Desk
Exterior Wall Tile
Five Key Points to Consider Before Doing Any Tile Selection:
1. What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles?
Porcelain is a denser tile and therefore more durable. It also is impervious to water absorption, a must for long-term water exposure. Most porcelain tiles have what is called – “through body composition” which means there is a uniform color of the material throughout and small chips may not be as noticeable as ceramic. The bottom line is for most commercial projects use only porcelain tile.
2. How do you select the best non-slip tile?
Have you ever seen a locker room and shower area with mats on the floor to prevent slipping? Very few tile products that are rated as “non-slip” are good enough to use in a shower area.
Your best choice will often be a tile rated for indoor and outdoor areas such as patios or pool decks. It will have a wet DCOF range (dynamic coefficient of friction) of 60-70.
Also, some tile products can be ordered with a “textured finish” which can work well. The traditional 2”x2” – 12”x12” mesh product provides many more grout lines which add to the non-slip capability but often this is not the look or style that may be desired. Being able to pitch a tile floor to a drain is also key in reducing slippage. Usually, tiles bigger than 6”x6” cannot be properly pitched to a drain.
3. Learn These 5 Slip Resistance Categories:
The ANSI A326.3 divides slip resistance into five categories:
- ID (Interior, Dry)
- IW (Interior, Wet)
- IW+ (Interior, Wet Plus)
- EW (Exterior, Wet)
- O/G (Oils/Greases)
Beautiful Non-Slip Floor Tile Choices:
Check these sites out: Daltile Options (textured), Crossville – Portugal Porcelain Stone, Crossville Owen Stone
4. What is rectified tile?
A tile that has been precisely ground and machined to give a near-perfect edge allowing for thinner grout lines and a cleaner look.
This is essential when using large tiles to create a consistent look in your facility.
5. What is the best grout to use?
Epoxy grout is considered to be a superior choice for any kind of tile project. Epoxy grout is waterproof, durable, doesn’t need to be sealed, is stain and chemical-resistant, and can withstand high-traffic areas.
Do you have questions and want to speak with a specialized fitness designer for your project? Don’t wait, you can email or contact us today.
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