Advice
Advice Hub

Welcome to the Tile Advice Hub

Our team of highly skilled technical experts are here to provide you with the specialised guidance and tile technical advice you need to make your project a success. With years of experience in the industry, our experts are equipped to assist you throughout every stage of your project tender, offering insights that are both practical and tailored to your specific requirements.

To ensure you have all the tools necessary to make informed decisions, we’ve curated a comprehensive library of advice sheets. These resources cover a broad spectrum of essential topics, from tile design considerations and detailed product specifications to expert installation techniques and troubleshooting tips.

Whether you’re in the planning phase, managing procurement, or overseeing the installation, we’re committed to being your trusted partner. Our goal is to support you at every step of your project journey, providing reliable, expert advice so you can complete your project with confidence and precision.

Explore our resources and don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for personalised assistance. We’re here to ensure your tile project meets the highest standards of quality and success.

Design and specification advice

Pendulum Test

The Pendulum test measures the dynamic coefficient of friction (CoF), replicating the crucial heel strike of a pedestrian, a key moment when slips are most likely to occur. For more details, please refer to our informative advice sheet.

Shod Slip: Pendulum Slider 96
Where it is known that slippery conditions might arise in service and present a significant hazard, tiles with slip resistant finishes suitable for the conditions and location should be used. Flooring materials should not be highly slippery when used in locations that suffer occasional wetting, which increases surface slipperiness, i.e. shopping malls or office receptions.
Barefoot Slip: Pendulum Slider 55

As the wet room would be classed as an area of continuous contamination (by water) during the time of use, there should be a minimum PTV of 36 on the level surface, however, as the shower zone is sloped by 2%, this figure should be increased to a minimum of PTV of 38.

External Areas: Pendulum Slider 96

External situations have extra risk of different types of contaminants likely to be present on the floor. Cleaning procedures should be carried out regularly.

Shade Variation
Shade variation is a natural characteristic of all tile products, including natural stone, porcelain, glass, and ceramic. Both shade and texture can vary significantly from tile to tile, even within the same production batch.
LRV (Light reflectance values)
In architecture, the Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a metric that indicates the percentage of visible and usable light a surface reflects when illuminated by a light source. For more information, please consult our comprehensive advice sheet.
PEI Ratings

PEI ratings indicate the wear resistance of glazed vitreous and porcelain stoneware tiles, in accordance with the standards set by EN ISO 10545-7. For more information, please refer to our advice sheet.

Surface Roughness Measurement

Surface microroughness is an indication of slipperiness in water-contaminated conditions may be simply obtained by measuring the surface roughness of flooring materials.

Tile Classifications - ISO 13006

Installation Advice

Stair nosing

Specifiers should keep five key aspects in mind when considering stair nosings. These nosings create a ‘ladder effect’ on the stairway, visible from both the top and the bottom. For more information, please refer to our advice sheet. 

Fixing Specification

Grestec offer complimentary fixing specification advice for every project senario. For more information, please refer to our advice sheet. 

 

Movement Joints

Movement joints should be a minimum of 6mm. For more information, please refer to our advice sheet. 



Raised external terrace system

Raised outdoor floors exploits the conventional system of floating or raised floors. With this laying system, all the pipes and wiring systems are laid beneath the tiled surface and can be inspected at any time. It offers instant accessibility, by allowing the lifting and removal of the slabs. For more information, please refer to our advice sheet. 

Grout and adhesives

Fugabella grout and adhesives. For more information, please refer to our advice sheet. 





Health and wellbeing

VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)

Ceramic tiles are classified as non VOC emitting products by type, this is universally accepted by all the assessment methods.