Altro Aquarius Flooring

Altro Aquarius represents a significant advancement in safety flooring technology. Its primary function is to deliver outstanding slip resistance in areas prone to frequent wetting, where users might be barefoot or wearing shoes. This dual capability makes it uniquely versatile for a wide range of applications, from domestic wet rooms and bathrooms to high-traffic commercial zones such as hospital shower areas, leisure centre changing rooms, spas, and pool surrounds.

The secret lies in its construction and surface properties, achieving a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) of ≥50 (Slider 96) for shod foot traffic (equivalent to R11 rating) and ≥40 (Slider 55) for barefoot traffic. This meets and exceeds rigorous safety standards, including EN 13845 class ESf and ESb, and the requirements outlined in the UK’s Health Building Note 00-10 Part A for healthcare environments. This level of performance is crucial for preventing accidents and ensuring user safety in potentially hazardous areas.

Beyond its core safety function, Altro Aquarius is designed with user comfort and aesthetics in mind. Unlike the cold, hard feel of tiles often used in wet areas, this 2mm thick vinyl flooring provides a more comfortable surface underfoot. It’s available in a selection of contemporary, non-sparkle colours and finishes, allowing for the creation of modern, inviting spaces rather than purely clinical or functional ones. This makes it a popular choice for environments aiming for a welcoming atmosphere, such as spas or high-end leisure facilities.

Practicality is another key benefit. Altro Aquarius incorporates Altro Easyclean technology, making it highly resistant to staining and chemical damage, and simplifying routine cleaning procedures. Maintaining a hygienic surface is effortless, a critical factor in healthcare settings, schools, and public washrooms. The flooring is also fully waterproof when correctly installed with welded seams, preventing water ingress and protecting the subfloor. For a complete wet room solution, it integrates seamlessly with Altro Whiterock hygienic wall cladding systems, providing a watertight and hygienic environment from floor to ceiling. With a 15-year guarantee and a 15-year life expectancy, Altro Aquarius offers a durable, reliable, and long-term safety flooring solution.

Choosing Altro Aquarius through Grosvenor Flooring ensures you not only receive a premium safety flooring product but also benefit from expert advice and professional installation. Our skilled teams are experienced in fitting safety flooring to the highest standards, ensuring compliance, performance, and longevity for your project, whether it’s a home adaptation or a large commercial fit-out across Altrincham, Manchester, Wilmslow, Chester, Nantwich, or the wider North West region.

Is Altro Aquarius Right For Your Project?

Selecting the right flooring is crucial, especially for areas with specific safety and performance demands. This guide will help you determine if Altro Aquarius is the suitable choice for your needs:

• Room usage / Location: Altro Aquarius excels in wet environments where slip resistance for both barefoot and shod users is critical. It’s ideal for domestic bathrooms, wet rooms, and showers, as well as commercial applications like changing rooms, hydrotherapy pools, spas, healthcare facilities (showers, bathrooms), social housing adaptations, and education washrooms.
• Lifestyle: Essential for safety-conscious environments. If your space experiences frequent water splashing or pooling, and is used by people of varying mobility (including children or the elderly) who might be barefoot or wearing different types of shoes, Altro Aquarius provides vital protection against slips.
• Budget: As a specialist safety flooring, Altro Aquarius represents a higher upfront investment compared to standard domestic vinyl. However, its long-term durability, low maintenance, and crucial safety features offer significant value, potentially reducing accident-related costs. Remember to factor in the cost of professional installation for optimal performance.
• Durability & Maintenance: Engineered for demanding use, Altro Aquarius is highly durable (2mm thick) and comes with a 15-year guarantee and life expectancy. Its integrated Altro Easyclean technology ensures it’s easy to clean and maintain excellent hygiene levels with minimal effort, resisting stains and chemicals.
• Material Type Pros & Cons:
  Pros: Market-leading slip resistance in wet/dry conditions for both shoe and barefoot use (PTV ≥50 / R11 shod, PTV ≥40 barefoot), fully waterproof when installed correctly, hygienic and easy to clean, comfortable underfoot, durable, available in stylish designs, integrates with wall cladding systems.
  Cons: Higher initial cost than standard vinyl, requires professional installation with specific techniques (e.g., hot welding) for warranty and performance.
• Aesthetics & Style: Available in a range of contemporary, non-sparkle colours and designs, Altro Aquarius allows you to create safe wet environments that are also modern and visually appealing, moving away from traditional, institutional looks.
• Comfort & Sound: Offers significantly more comfort underfoot than ceramic or stone tiles typically found in wet areas. It provides a modest level of impact sound insulation (4dB).
• Underfloor Heating: Altro Aquarius is generally compatible with underfloor heating systems. However, it’s crucial to ensure the surface temperature does not exceed the manufacturer’s recommendation, typically 27°C. Always verify compatibility with your specific UFH system.
• Installation: Professional installation is strongly recommended, and often required for the guarantee to be valid. Fitters need expertise in safety flooring techniques, including subfloor preparation and hot welding seams, to ensure a watertight, safe, and durable finish. Grosvenor Flooring provides expert supply and fit services by trained professionals.
• Sustainability: Altro Aquarius is recyclable at the end of its life, contributing positively to the environmental credentials of your project.