Choosing bathroom tiles goes far beyond aesthetics. The wrong choice can mean years of slip risk, deformed surfaces or costly replacements. Knowing these 9 technical criteria will protect you from these mistakes.
1. Anti-Slip Rating (R Value)
R9 is the minimum for dry floors; we recommend R10–R11 for wet floors and shower trays. R12–R13 is for industrial use. VitrA's wet-floor collections are generally rated R10 or above.
2. Water Absorption Rate (EN 14411)
For bathrooms, the water absorption rate must be below 0.5% (Group BIa). Tiles exceeding this value crack and discolour under repeated wet–dry cycles.
3. Tile Format
- ›30×30 cm: small bathrooms, niches
- ›45×45 cm: standard choice
- ›60×60 cm: makes the space feel larger, fewer grout lines
- ›120×60 cm+: large bathrooms, minimal grout, maximum impact
4. Grout Spacing
A minimum grout gap of 1.5 mm is essential. For a near-seamless look, rectified-edge tiles combined with matching grout are recommended.
5–9. Further Criteria
- ›5. Mohs hardness: ≥ 6 recommended
- ›6. Chemical resistance: durability against cleaning products (ISO 10545-13)
- ›7. Colour consistency: different boxes must match (check the LOT number)
- ›8. Thermal shock resistance: compatibility with underfloor heating systems
- ›9. Delivery + spare: order 10% extra for breakage and future repairs
💡 Our showroom has a full sample collection with all technical data. For free consultancy: +90 216 483 58 76
