Reception Area Tiles

Reception and entrance floors take the highest concentrated traffic in a building and carry water, grit and wheeled loads in from outside. They are also the first surface a visitor sees, so the specification has to satisfy a durability case and a design case at the same time.

Specifying reception and entrance floors

• Entrance matting comes first. The most effective slip and wear control at an entrance is a barrier matting run of at least two strides, and preferably more, before the tiled floor begins. Without it, tracked-in water is the dominant slip risk in an otherwise dry building.
• Wet slip resistance at the threshold. Specify a wet PTV of 36 or above to BS 7976-2 for the entrance zone and any area where water will be carried in, even where the wider floor is a dry-area finish.
• Abrasion class. PEI IV or V to ISO 10545-7 for public circulation, or unglazed through-body porcelain where luggage, trolley and wheeled traffic is constant and surface wear would show.
• Light reflectance and accessibility. BS 8300-2 recommends a 30 point light reflectance difference between floor and wall to help visually impaired users read the space. Confirm LRV figures alongside the finish selection, not after the schedule is issued.
• Large format for a continuous read. Fewer joints across an open reception floor reduces the maintenance burden and gives the uninterrupted plane most reception designs are aiming at.

Related sector collections include office tiles, hotel tiles and large format tiles.

Frequently asked questions

What slip rating do reception floor tiles need?

A wet-tested PTV of 36 or above to BS 7976-2 at the entrance and in any zone where water is carried in. Deeper into a dry reception a lower value can be justified, but the transition has to be deliberate and supported by a matting strategy.

How much entrance matting is needed?

A minimum of two strides of barrier matting, with more on a busy or exposed entrance. Matting removes the water and grit that cause both the slip risk and the abrasive wear on the floor beyond, and it is the single most effective measure available.

What tile format works best in a reception area?

Large format, generally 600 mm and above, for the reduced joint frequency and continuous appearance. This puts requirements on substrate flatness and adhesive coverage that should be settled before the range is confirmed.