09.12.20

Non-slip tiles are a must for the elderly in potentially dangerous environments such as the bathroom, where the flooring can be slippery when wet. Featured tile: Panaria Borealis

1. What tiles are suitable for the elderly?

The choice of flooring is important in elder-proofing a home to reduce the possibility of falls. Flooring should be slip-resistant, comfortable to walk on, and easy to care for. Tiles can provide all these qualities, plus add value to the home’s design as the choices you have are vast! Falls happen more commonly in spaces such as the kitchen and bathroom, where water or grease might make the flooring slippery, so tiles with a high slip resistance [and a more textured surface] is preferable. 

All tiles are assigned a number which indicates its slip-resistance, which is important as It minimises the risk of accidents at homes, especially in bathrooms. The slip resistance scale ranges from R9 to R12 - the higher the number, the higher the slip resistance and the rougher the surface of the tile. Generally, R9 tiles are ideal for most areas in the home. Slip resistance from R10 and above are suggested for bathrooms. R11 and R12 tiles can also be specified for shower floors and outdoor areas.

Being water-resistant, tiles also last longer and are easy to clean, saving much time and effort by our seniors to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of their environment.

2. How do we maintain and clean tiles?

Marble-inspired tiles such as these ones from the Cotto d’Este Vanity collection add a touch of luxury to your kitchen, but unlike natural marble, are a cinch to clean!

No one wants to spend their free time at home cleaning. The best part about tile surfaces is that they are easy to maintain! Tiles are not susceptible to wear and tear especially in wet areas, as they are water-resistant. Tiles are also resistant to heat, fire and stains, making them the perfect material not only in bathrooms or kitchens, but everywhere in your home. Maintain your tiles regularly by damp-mopping or wiping the surface at least once a week, and more so if the area experiences heavy traffic. Tiles with a higher slip resistance and hence a rougher texture will require regular cleaning to keep them looking good. Never use abrasive cleaners on your tiles, as they might damage or discolour the surface irreparably.

If you’re looking for a floor cleaner for your tiles, we recommend Bio-cleaner by Floor Medics. The Bio-cleaner solution is a multi-functional product not just for surface cleaning but has many other properties as well. Bio cleaner acts on organic waste and eliminates the source of offensive odours. To find out more about Bio cleaner, visit floormedics.com.sg

3. How do we use tiles in the bedroom?

The use of the marble-inspired tile from RICE allows the flooring of this master bedroom to flow seamlessly into the bathroom vanity area. Design and photo: EightyTwo

Tile designs that replicate the look of timber, marble, stone, metal and concrete have become so realistic, they are now used not just in bathrooms and kitchens but in all areas of the home. Design-forward companies such as Mutina are also continuously pushing the envelope of tile designs and creating modular patterns for creative expression. All these developments have led many to ask how tiles can be used even in the most private of spaces in the home – the bedroom. Tiles can replace natural materials when more consistency is required, for example, for wood or marble grains. Light-coloured timber-inspired designs are a favourite for both residential, and commercial projects such as hotel rooms, as flooring or on the walls. Decorative tiles, on the other hand, can create unique headboards or feature walls.

Tiles can also be used to bridge both bedroom and bathroom spaces underfoot in an open-plan design, as they are water-resistant and available in various degrees of slip resistance to suit the function of the space.

The InterContinental Robertson Quay hotel designed by SCDA Architects features timber-inspired tiles from RICE in a pale soothing colour scheme on the floor and walls of the guest rooms. Photo: InterContinental Hotel

4. Are there anti-bacterial tiles or tiles that prevent the growth of mould or fungi?

Tiles that block the growth of bacteria and fungi, such as those of the Panaria Horizon collection used on the floor of this kitchen, create an invisible shield against microorganisms that can harm our health.

Yes, you can get anti-microbial tiles that ‘kill’ bacteria, prevent odours and inhibit the growth of mould and mildew. Among the brands RICE represents, Panaria and Ragno both have tile collections with anti-bacterial properties. Panaria Protect features Microban technology which integrates active ingredients derived from Silver into the body of the tile to eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria on their surface. This protection acts as an invisible anti-microbial shield throughout the life cycle of the product and never wears off. The active ingredient blocks the metabolism of bacteria upon contact to prevent further growth. Ragno’s CleanOut Anti-bacterial protection works in a very similar fashion, with tiles which are integrated with Silver ions which work to banish bacteria and fungi growth, and prevent odours.

5. Are tiles pet-friendly?

We get many homeowners asking if tiles are suitable for homes with pets. There’s hardly a more suitable material than durable tiles for your furry creatures! The scratch-resistant material stands up to scratches made by your pets. Possible pee and poo stains are also cleaned up more easily as tiles are water-resistant, and not as porous as materials such as stone, timber or concrete.

Find out more about tiles at riceLAB. Visits to riceLAB are strictly by appointment only and limited to four people per group. We encourage guests to make their tile selections online at www.rice-fields.com before coming down to minimise their time spent at riceLAB. Make an appointment by emailing us here or by calling 6692 1199. riceLAB is at 213 Henderson Road 01.03 Singapore 159553. RICE is open from Mondays to Fridays 10am to 7pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 6pm.

Get the European tiles you love at great prices! Browse the Tile Me You Love RICE range on our website in the Materials tab, using the filter Tell Me You Love RICE.