
One of the most common questions we are asked by prospective customers is if epoxy floors are slippery, and the answer can range from no--to maybe. Like most things in life, there is no definitive answer to such a broad question because there are a lot of varieties of epoxy--and other floor coating products--on the market with varying degrees of slip resistance.
To answer the question broadly, correctly installed epoxy and polyaspartic floors should generally pass OSHA slip co-efficient requirements. The key is that the installer understands the environment the floor coating is installed in, and making appropriate recommendations to each customers needs.
For most companies, full broadcast flake systems are the most commonly installed type of epoxy garage floor. These systems are not only incredibly durable, but they provide a slight texture that significantly enhances their slip resistance. With texture, your foot or shoe has to conform around the high and low spots in the floor, which provides improved traction, even if the texture is very subtle. We shoot for a textured surface that is still smooth enough to be easily mopped and cleaned by the customer. Even in wet conditions, full broadcast flake systems are rarely slippery with appropriate footwear. We do caution customers that leather soled, however, can be slippery on epoxy floors, even in dry conditions.
For customers installing a floor coating in an area prone to moisture, such as a patio or front porch, we include an integrated non-skid additive for better traction. This adds additional texture, which can make it more difficult to mop, but it will remain easy to clean with a hose or scrub brush.
If you look carefully at the image above, you will see small, almost sand-like objects embedded in the coating. This is a product called aluminum oxide--a white powdery to sandlike material that turns clear when saturated with a clear topcoat. This aluminum oxide provides exceptional grip to the surface even in wet conditions without significantly changing the look of the surface.
If you don't want a textured surface, the best floor coating products that provide a relatively non-slip surface are going to be a water based urethane, a rubberized epoxy, or a polyurethane elastomeric membrane.
A knowledgeable installer will help determine the best product for your specific situation. You want to avoid installing a solid surface in areas where moisture or chemicals will be present. Common areas include:
If you have an upcoming project that you'd like to learn more about, contact United Floor Coatings today. Our experts have installed millions of square foot of epoxy, urethane, polyaspartic, and more. Our expertise can help you pick a flooring solution that is not only durable, but safe and effective for your space's needs.
United Floor Coatings operates throughout North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina, including (but not limited to):
Albemarle, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Belmont, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Bessemer City, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Cherryville, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
China Grove, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Concord, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Conover, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Cornelius, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Cramerton, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Dallas, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Davidson, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Denver, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Fort Mill, SC Epoxy Garage Floors
Gastonia, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Harrisburg, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Hickory, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Huntersville, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Indian Land, SC Epoxy Garage Floors
Indian Trail, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Kannapolis, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Kings Mountain, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Landis, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Lincolnton, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Locust, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Lowell, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Maiden, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Matthews, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Monroe, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Mooresville, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Mount Holly, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Newton, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Rock Hill, SC Epoxy Garage Floors
Salisbury, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Shelby, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Statesville, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Waxhaw, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
Weddington, NC Epoxy Garage Floors
United Floor Coatings operates throughout the Raleigh-Durham, Triangle, area including (but not limited to):