It’s All About Tiles: Slip Resistance, Sustainability and Future Trends
4 May 2025
Episode S5E05:
In this episode, Lori and tile expert, Luke Thurtle, dive into the world of tile design, offering essential advice for senior environment designers, architects, and care home owner/operators. Luke tackles the confusion around slip resistance, explains why aiming for an R13 rating isn’t always the best choice and advocates for pendulum testing in wet and dry conditions. He also shares insights on the growing sustainability of tile production, the longevity of ceramic and porcelain, and the benefits of epoxy grout for areas requiring high resilience and hygiene control. And, you’ll get a sneak peek at future trends, from large-format tiles to exciting geometric designs for senior care spaces.
- Guest: Luke Thurtle, Grestec
- Grestec Technical Advice Hub
- Slip Resistance Testing Standards 2025 (USA) – Safety Direct America
- Meeting Standard Requirements (UK) – UK Slip Resistance Group
- Innovation Spotlight: Japanese Shuttle Services – A Senior Lifeline – Shuttle Service for Elderly “Shopping Refugees”
About Luke Thurtle
Luke Thurtle is the Commercial Director of Grestec Tiles Ltd, a specialist tile design and distribution business focussed on working with the Architecture and Design sector to bring distinctive and appropriately performing tile solutions to any project, large or small, where a lead design role is taken by a professional. Luke spends his working life ensuring that the design industry is well informed on the latest regulations and safety levels through his delivery of free training via CPD seminars, whilst also heading up the Sales and Technical departments of Grestec. This year is his 25th in the tile industry but his experience goes beyond tiles and has a background in construction and material supply of some 30 years.