You’ve seen those “Slippery When Wet” signs in coffee shops, restaurants and shopping malls. But why do these public spaces use epoxy flooring? Isn’t it slippery when wet? Because they’re easy to clean, stain and scratch resistant, super durable, and yes, are slip-resistant as well.
Slip-Resistant Aggregates – Anti-Skid
But epoxy flooring isn’t just for public spaces. This flooring is very popular in garages, kitchens and basements and on patios and driveways. But how do you keep your epoxy-coated space safe? You surely can’t carry around a “Slippery When Wet” sign!
Thankfully the solution is simple. Professional installers incorporate a slip-resistant aggregate into the final coat of the epoxy flooring. We like to call these slip-resistant aggregates “anti-skid” because they provide a roughness to the floor and reduce the potential for slipping.
Types of Anti-Skid
More importantly, professional installers can adjust the type of anti-skid used in your floor coating to reflect your level of concern for slipping. There are multiple anti-skid options, from the least aggressive (and least visible) polypropylene and glass spheres, to the more “aggressive” (and more visible) quartz and aluminum oxide.
Polypropylene and Glass Spheres
Glass spheres (left below) and polypropylene (right below) provide “adequate” slip resistance. They are most often used in areas with low to medium foot-traffic, indoor installations, or areas where an easily cleanable surface is needed (the more aggressive anti-skid types are rougher and therefore harder to clean). Examples of spaces that would benefit from these anti-skid types include kitchens, basements, garages, patios and driveways.
Quartz and Aluminum Oxide
Quartz and aluminum oxide, on the other hand, are far more “aggressive”. They are typically used on substrates traveled by the elderly, handicapped or children, and may be used in areas where there is a high potential for spills of grease, oil, food and the like. Quartz and aluminum oxide may be quite visible and are certainly more difficult to clean. However, these anti-skid types are offered in a variety of colors and therefore can be “masked” by experienced installers.
Check out this link on broadcasting-aggregate-into-coatings-for-safety-and-beauty.)
Slip-Resistant Coatings: The Wrap
So if you decide to have an epoxy floor coating installed in your home, think safety first:
- Ensure your contractor offers multiple options for anti-skid
- Choose the anti-skid type that best reflects your needs.
And as always, hire a professional to do the installation!
Talk to an authorized GarageFloorCoating.com dealer or franchise near you. Just enter your zip code in the “Find a Location Near You” locator bar. Then, choose your price range and style…the options are virtually limitless.
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