Most people rely on epoxy flooring for their residential and commercial settings because of its durable and long-lasting nature. Epoxy flooring never goes out of style, is easy to maintain, and gives the place an aesthetic look.
What is Epoxy Flooring?
Before installing epoxy flooring in residential and commercial settings, we need to understand what it is and how it can benefit them. In simple words, epoxy flooring is a surface coating made up of resin and hardener. When these ingredients mix, they form a durable material that fixes well on most concrete surfaces. People mostly choose epoxy flooring for garages, hospitals, kitchens, and bathrooms because of its rigidity and high resistance to wear and tear.
One question everyone asks is whether epoxy floors are slippery. The focus of this article is to discuss factors that cause the slipperiness of epoxy floors and how to overcome this issue most conveniently.
Factors causing slippage on epoxy floors
Below-mentioned are some of the main factors that cause slipperiness on the epoxy floors.
Floor Finishing
The most common factor is the finishing of the floor surface. It plays a huge role in causing or mitigating the slipperiness on the epoxy flooring. Its smooth and glass-like finish can often cause slipperiness to the floor surfacing compared to the matte finishes.
Contaminants
Epoxy floors contain multiple liquid contaminants, including water, oil, and grease, which can cause slipperiness. If epoxy floors are applied to areas where spills are common, such as the garage, kitchen, or any industrial area, there will be a higher risk of slipping.
Environmental Changes
Environmental changes also play a crucial role in the slipperiness of epoxy flooring. High temperatures and humidity can make it slippery.
Type of Shoes
The type of shoes worn on epoxy floors also impacts the cause of slipperiness. Rubber soles are recommended rather than leather ones. Moreover, experts recommend wearing anti-slip footwear in industrial settings to avoid slipping.
Ways to prevent slipping on epoxy floors
Below-mentioned are some of the main factors that can prevent slipperiness on epoxy floors.
More Textured and Matte Finishing
One of the most effective ways to prevent the slipperiness of epoxy floors is to choose a more textured and matte floor finish. Surfaces made of sand, quartz, or aluminum oxide incorporated with epoxy can provide a more rough and textured floor finish. These are mostly practiced in industrial areas, where safety is a top priority.
Anti-Slip Additives
You can add anti-slip additives to avoid the risk of slipping. The best thing about these additives is that they don’t compromise the epoxy floor finishing look while maintaining the anti-slipping criteria. This step is mostly practiced where maintaining an aesthetic look is necessary.
Use of Mats
In residential settings, mats and rugs can decrease the chances of slipping on epoxy floors. For example, placing a rug outside the bathroom or kitchen can help absorb any spill or moisture.
Secure Installation
Proper and secure installation is necessary to avoid slipping. An experienced team should be hired to install the epoxy flooring to prevent uneven surfaces. They can also recommend the best type of finish for the specific area.
Conclusion
Epoxy floors can cause slipping under some conditions, but this can be easily prevented by maintaining an even floor finish, adding anti-slip additives, wearing the right footwear, and maintaining the right environmental conditions. These solutions can be applied to any residential, commercial, or industrial setting where epoxy flooring is installed to ensure a safe and secure environment.