Slip-Stop Tiles Vs. Anti-Slip Tiles: What’s the Difference?
You might have heard about Slip-Stop tiles, the one surface for many applications, but did you know that Slip-Stop tiles are distinct and different from anti-slip tiles? While they both serve to create safe spaces by preventing slips, there are a few key differences in how they produce this effect, and how this extends to their respective applications.
One of the common ways that a tile’s slip resistance is tested is with a pendulum test, where the tile is rated from P0 to P5 (the higher the more slip-resistant). For the average tile, this may range from P2 to P3, which fit the requirements of most health & safety benchmarks (representing a 1 in 1 million probability of slips), but for anti-slip tiles that are meant for outdoor use, the requirement typically rises to P4 and above, which Slip-Stop achieves under wet conditions.
So without further ado, let’s get into the differences between anti-slip tiles and Slip-Stop tiles:
Discover Slip-Stop, the one surface for many applications.
1. Slip-Stop Vs Anti-Slip Tiles Surface Texture
The first difference you might observe, when comparing Slip-Stop tiles with anti-slip tiles side by side, is that their surface textures are actually very different! Where anti-slip tiles have a rough surface texture to produce additional friction, Slip-Stop tiles are actually smooth to the touch – but become grippy when in contact with water as their specially-infused surfaces activate to produce an excellent anti-slip effect, all while remaining smooth!
2. Slip-Stop Vs Anti-Slip Tiles Durability
When it comes to the durability of these tiles, you would have nothing to worry about, as both Slip-Stop and anti-slip tiles are incredibly durable, and scratch-resistant to boot! Particularly with Slip-Stop tiles, they are rated by the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) for a hardness score of 3 out of 5 (5 being the most durable), ensuring you get to reap the benefits of added safety for years to come.
3. Slip-Stop Vs Anti-Slip Tiles Maintenance
Being primarily suited for outdoor areas, the ease of maintenance for the tiles is certainly one of the primary concerns when selecting them. For anti-slip tiles, while they may be cleaned with soap and water like any regular tiles, some brushing may be required to really get into the gaps between the surface texture and get the dirt out. With Slip-Stop tiles, however, their smooth surface makes cleaning easy, whether they are installed on the floors or walls of your desired areas!
4. Slip-Stop Vs Anti-Slip Tiles Design & Application
Keeping in mind that anti-slip tiles tend to be rough to the touch and even a little abrasive, it naturally follows that they should be used mostly on outdoor floors, such as walkways or porches, where skin-on-tile contact is limited. Besides that, the rough visual textures of anti-slip tiles also may not be ideal for wall applications, and also limit the possible designs that they can carry.
When it comes to Slip-Stop tiles, on the other hand, their smooth surfaces allow the full potential of digital inking to shine, making prestigious designs like marble and Ceppo di Gré possible, and also lend themselves to varied applications both indoors and outdoors for floor, wall or any other tiling applications.
In summary, these are the main differences between anti-slip tiles and Slip-Stop tiles:
| Anti-Slip Tiles | Slip-Stop Tiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Slip Resistance Rating (Pendulum Test) | P4 | P4 |
| Surface Texture | Rough | Smooth |
| Durability | High and long-lasting | High and long-lasting |
| Maintenance | Some brushing required | Easy |
| Design & Application | Limited | Varied designs & applications |
