Are Epoxy Floors Slippery? Understanding the Safety of Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy flooring has become one of the most popular choices for flooring around, both in commercial and residential spaces. Epoxy flooring has the right balance of durability and aesthetics. One common concern with epoxy flooring is whether or not epoxy floors are slippery. In this post, we’ll be going over all things epoxy flooring and answering the question of: “Are epoxy floors slippery?” along with how to mitigate risks with epoxy flooring. Enjoy!
What Makes Epoxy Floors Slippery?
Epoxy flooring is created by applying a layer of epoxy resin over surfaces such as concrete, creating a smooth and seamless finish which is both durable and pleasing to the eye. The inherent characteristic of epoxy resin may make an epoxy floor somewhat slippery in certain conditions, yet it’s ultimately determined by the following factors:
- Finish & Coating: A high-gloss epoxy finish will likely be more slippery than a matte or satin surface. This is in large part due to the final finish.
- Contaminants: Oil, grease, or other liquids may cause epoxy flooring to become slippery if not promptly and properly cleaned up.
- Wear and Tear: Over time, you may find areas which receive high foot traffic may become worn down, naturally polished, and smoother; resulting in a somewhat slippery environment.
Enhancing the Safety of Epoxy Floors
Despite the possibility of slipperiness, many options are available for epoxy flooring which are anti-slip. These include the following:
- Textured Additives: A textured additive will be able to help reduce the level of slipperiness by mixing into the epoxy resin product during installation. Everything from colored chips to quartz may be added to create texture which leads to increased grippiness.
- Matte Finishes: A matte or satin finish naturally possesses more traction than a high-gloss finish. This higher level of traction can prevent slipping and also reduce reflection of light if desired.
- Safety Topcoats: A safety topcoat is a great way to incorporate anti-slip properties into the epoxy flooring product. These topcoats will typically contain fine aggregates which offer extra grip, even when the floor is wet.
- Proper Maintenance: Proper maintenance can go a long way when it comes to reducing slipperiness with epoxy flooring. If a spill occurs, promptly wiping it up and cleaning the affected area of epoxy flooring can prevent the surface from becoming slippery. Additionally, this proper maintenance and cleaning helps to reduce residue buildup on your epoxy floor.
- Use of Mats: In areas where moisture accumulation or spills occur, you may want to consider an anti-slip mat to prevent accidents from occurring.
Real-World Applications
Many commercial environments, such as hospitals, schools, and industrial facilities will come to rely on the anti-slip nature of a high-quality epoxy floor product with the right level of aggregates and finish. Epoxy flooring is the right choice for many environments due to its ease of maintenance and longevity.
Choose Epoxy Floor Experts for All of Your Epoxy Flooring Needs
Yes, certain types of epoxy floors may be slippery, yet with the right level of maintenance, aggregates, and finish; your epoxy flooring can have the anti-slip properties you’ve been searching for. Learn more about how we can help transform your home, business, or facility with our team of epoxy flooring experts by contacting us for an initial quote. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
