Are Marble Tiles Slippery in the Bathroom?
When discussing flooring, the term coefficient of friction (COF) is generally used to describe how slip-resistant a floor is. Interiors+Sources Magazine describes that the COF “measures the friction between the flooring surface and the object that makes contact with the floor.” In other words, if a floor has a high COF, it is not very slippery; If a floor has a low COF, it is very slippery. The COF of a marble floor depends very heavily on it’s finish. While a honed finish has a higher COF and is generally less slippery, a polished marble floor has a lower COF and can be much more slippery.
When deciding on marble flooring for your home, polished marble tile is generally safe and the most elegant option. However, when considering wetter areas in your home, like your bathroom or kitchen, a honed finish would be your safest option.
Marble Tiles vs. Water
One great thing about marble is the fact that it is water resistant. This means that if you use marble tile as a decorative material in your home, you do not need to worry about it being damaged by water. However, water on any smooth floor can definitely be a safety hazard, especially if you are moving quickly or lose your balance on it. Extra awareness is definitely necessary if you plan on laying down marble tile in your bathroom or kitchen. It is always a best practice to wipe down your marble floors whenever they get wet.
How to Prevent Slipping on Marble Tile in the Bathroom
Now that you know about the coefficient of friction, the COF of marble finishes, and the way that water affects marble, we will go over some best practices and other fun tips:
- Make sure to clean up any water that spills right away. A small puddle can be a safety hazard on marble tile
- Make sure to clean up any soap or grease that spills on you floor. Marble has a porous nature, so soap scum and grease can build up over time and cause the floor to be slippery. We recommend using a Soap Scum / Hard Water Remover which cuts “through tough bath & shower build-up” to quickly remove all films and deposits.”
- It is a best practice to lay down non-slip rugs in slippery areas with a low COF.
Final Considerations
As a last resort, some people lay down clear “Peel & Stick” vinyl on top of their kitchen and bathroom marble floors. We strongly discourage this; It detracts from the beauty of your natural stone floors and the vinyl edges will eventually peel and collect dirt.
Other options you can consider to ensure safety in the bathroom are to install grab bars on the wall near the tub or shower and to always keep a pair of non-slip slippers nearby.
At the end of the day, it’s always a good idea to consult with an expert!
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