Every tile has a COF (coefficient of friction) rating between 0 and 1. You want a high COF for a wet area and higher for elderly. Like .6 or higher. You are right to question your friend's choice, have him look for tiles that are rated for showers. Answer from AnnieC131313 on reddit.com
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Tez Marble
tezmarble.com › home › is porcelain tile too slippery for a shower floor?
Is porcelain tile too slippery for a shower floor? | Tez Marble
September 20, 2024 - Tile Finish: Glossy, polished porcelain tiles can indeed be quite slippery. These tiles are often used for walls or low-traffic areas where slip resistance isn’t a priority. However, when it comes to shower floors, matte, textured, or unpolished ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/homeimprovement › large format porcelain tiles too slippery for shower floor material?
r/HomeImprovement on Reddit: Large format porcelain tiles too slippery for shower floor material?
December 7, 2021 -

I’m doing my first bathroom renovation. I plan to use large format (24x48) polished porcelain tile on the floor and walls. I’d planned to use that same tile on the shower floor but now I’m thinking it will be very slippery when soap and water hit it. Might switch to smaller and/or rougher tiles for the shower floor. Am I overthinking or do I need a safer alternative?

It’s a walk-in shower with no ledge.

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Quora
quora.com › Is-porcelain-tile-too-slippery-for-a-shower-floor
Is porcelain tile too slippery for a shower floor? - Quora
Answer (1 of 3): It doesn’t have to be — some of them come with a grit in the top layer, or they are grooved or have other non-slip characteristics. Or, you could put a mat in the shower. When you’re looking at tiles, ask for one that is suitable for that use.
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Atlas Plan
atlasplan.com › en-US › news › polished-porcelain-tile-meaning-pros-cons
Polished porcelain tiles: what are they, pros & cons | Atlas Plan
April 4, 2024 - Can be slippery when exposed to moisture The smooth, shiny surface of polished tiles can get slippery when wet, which makes them less ideal for high-traffic areas, bathrooms, and households with young children or elderly individuals.
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Green Tile
edwardmartin.com › home › information › information
What Tile Is Not Slippery In Bathrooms?
January 31, 2025 - So, what tiles are not slippery in bathrooms? The answer lies in matte porcelain mosaic tiles or any tile with a matte or textured finish. These provide the ideal balance of traction, durability, and style, making them perfect for shower floors, ...
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Ceramiccity
ceramiccity.ie › home › blog › are porcelain tiles slippery when wet? a guide to safe & stylish flooring
Are Porcelain Tiles Slippery When Wet? Answered | Ceramic City, Wall and Floor Tiles Ireland
May 2, 2024 - So to answer are porcelain tiles slippery when wet in short, they CAN offer significant slip resistance depending on their finish and texture which will offer you the safety you want.
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Stone Tile Depot
stonetiledepot.com › tile › porcelain-tiles › porcelain-shower-tile
Porcelain Shower Tiles | Porcelain Tiles | Stone Tile Depot
Porcelain is non-slippery, unlike glass tiles, and is ideal for bathroom flooring. Porcelain absorbs water well since they are stones, so they are commonly used in bathrooms. Porcelain tiles in the shower can quickly drink surplus water from the floor without mops.
Find elsewhere
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Green Tile
edwardmartin.com › home › information › information
Are Porcelain Bathroom Tiles Slippery?
June 9, 2025 - Glossy tiles are typically smoother to the touch, which reduces traction and increases the risk of slipping, particularly in spots like showers or bathroom entryways. If you're drawn to that gleaming, glossy style, it’s worth considering where ...
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Statements Tile
statementstile.com › blog › 2024 › 9 › 5 › choosing-the-right-shower-rated-porcelain-floor-tiles
Choosing the Right Shower Floor Tile — Statements Tile
June 17, 2025 - However, with larger tiles, safety becomes even more important, especially in wet areas like showers. When opting for larger porcelain tiles, we recommend selecting ones with at least an R10 slip rating or higher to ensure proper grip on wet surfaces and maintain a safe environment.
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Solidshape
solidshape.com › home › design & care blog › tile › porcelain › is porcelain tile slippery? safety considerations for homes
Is Porcelain Tile Slippery? Safety Considerations for Homes - ...
June 30, 2025 - A glossy finish on porcelain tiles creates a smooth, reflective surface that can add a sense of elegance and sophistication to a space. However, glossy finishes can be more slippery, especially when wet, making them less suitable for areas prone ...
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Slip No More
slipnomore.com › home › unveiling the truth: are porcelain tiles slippery?
Are Porcelain Tiles Slippery? Unveiling the Truth
November 17, 2023 - One prevalent myth surrounding porcelain tiles is that they are slippery. This makes them unsuitable for areas with common moisture or spills. This misconception often leads homeowners to opt for alternative flooring materials, assuming porcelain tiles are always slippery.
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Overlandceramics
overlandceramics.com › home › news › is polished porcelain tile slippery?
Is Polished Porcelain Tile Slippery? | Overland
July 12, 2024 - In this article, the author would solve your confusion about whether the polished porcelain tile is slippery, Is Polished Porcelain Tile good for the Bathroom Floor, and how to make the floor tiles less slippery. Actually, the possibility of causing the slippery of the porcelain floor tiles is formed by multiple factors.
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Zerorez
zerorez.com › blog › slippery-tile-floor
Slippery Tile Floor: Causes, Fixes, and More! | Zerorez Carpet Cleaning
Textured (unpolished) Porcelain tiles and those with a matte finish are highly resistant to falls and slips, making them suitable for bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and other wet areas. T · Yes, porcelain becomes slippery when wet, so be ...
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Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 5521459 › polished-porcelain-for-shower-walls-bad-idea
Polished porcelain for shower walls, bad idea?
I was thinking that if the surface is so shinny, will they be easier to keep clean?? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! ... Hi! Not a design pro here, but certainly a tile 'pro'! There is no problem using polished/glossy tile for shower walls.
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Quora
quora.com › Are-porcelain-floor-tiles-slippery
Are porcelain floor tiles slippery? - Quora
Answer (1 of 6): It varies. When we did our bathroom & shower floors, we actually bought 1 sample tile of about a half-dozen that we were considering to see which was least slippery. Generally the ‘gloss=slippery; matte = less slippery’ is a good rule. But not totally reliable.
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Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 1333215 › polished-porcelain-tile-vs-unpolished-porcelain-tile-for-bathroom-floo
Polished porcelain tile VS unpolished porcelain tile for bathroom floo
All major tile manufactureres will rate a tile by it's slipperiness. It's called the Coefficient of Friction. You need a COF of 6 to be slip resistant enough for a floor. Not choosing the proper slip resistant tile is negligent, and could leave you open to a visit to the emergency room, or a lawsuit if that split skull is from a guest.
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Apollo Tile
apollotile.com › home › blogs › our blogs › non slip bathroom flooring tile
Non-Slip Bathroom Flooring – Best Tile Choices for a Safe Space
November 4, 2024 - Matte or textured porcelain tiles are less slippery and offer better grip. Non-slip bathroom floor tiles typically have a matte or textured finish for better traction that minimizes the risk of slips and falls.
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Stone Tile Depot
stonetiledepot.com › tile › porcelain-tiles › porcelain-shower-tile › page › 6
Porcelain Shower Tiles | Porcelain Tiles | Stone Tile Depot | Page 6
Porcelain is non-slippery, unlike glass tiles, and is ideal for bathroom flooring. Porcelain absorbs water well since they are stones, so they are commonly used in bathrooms. Porcelain tiles in the shower can quickly drink surplus water from the floor without mops.
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Neelson
neelson.in › home › blog › the advantages and disadvantages of polished porcelain tiles
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Polished Porcelain Tiles
Due to the difficulty of cutting ... waste. ... Like other smooth and shiny surfaces, polished porcelain tends to be slippery compared to matte surfaces, especially when wet....