Hard surface flooring specialist Fibonacci Stone presents three top safety requirements for flooring.
Flooring is often selected for its aesthetic qualities, but safety and hygiene factors are just as important. Director of Fibonacci Stone, Michael Karakolis explains cleanliness and slip resistance are important considerations when selecting a safe and hygienic hard surface floor.
An established producer of terrazzo stone tiles, Fibonacci Stone applies best practice principles to ensure high quality in the composition, manufacture and installation of the tiles, ensuring safety and hygiene.
According to Karakolis, while flooring is typically chosen for aesthetic reasons, Fibonacci Stone ensures its terrazzo tile flooring always meets best practice principles, fitting the purpose from both technical and hygienic aspects.
Karakolis said there are three key areas to consider when selecting a safe and hygienic floor for both residential and commercial environments.
1. Flooring should be dust- and dirt-resistant
Hard surface flooring is a much more hygienic option than soft flooring (such as carpet), because it doesn’t absorb dust or dirt, which typically contributes to most allergies. The low porosity Fibonacci Stone terrazzo tiles are dust and dirt resistant; when fully sealed a Fibonacci Stone terrazzo tile floor will also be fully safeguarded against spills and stains.
2. Ensure flooring is mould-free
The risk of water penetration can be high in wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and outdoors. Tiled flooring installed using cement grout is at its most vulnerable in these wet areas; the grout between the tiles can house more germs than the tile itself.
Applying best practice principles from production through to installation, Fibonacci Stone recommends the use of epoxy grout rather than cement grout to guarantee wet areas remain completely water-resistant and mould-free. Karakolis explains epoxy does not house germs because it’s a resin, and is impermeable by composition. Innovations in epoxy grout ensure this material is easy to use, readily available and cost effective.
3. Make slip resistance a priority
Slip resistance is an essential requirement when selecting a safe and hygienic hard surface floor for home space and high-use environments. All Fibonacci Stone terrazzo tiles are developed and tested to meet three vital slip resistant criteria including the Anti-Slip Oil Ramp Test (where flooring is subject to grease and oil), Dry Friction Test (where flooring is subject to fallen objects and grit), and Wet Pendulum Test (where the area is subject to water or liquid spills).
