Concrete Surfaces

Floor Safety and Concrete Surfaces

Concrete surfaces that are stamped or imprinted can be more slip resistant than smooth surfaces, depending on the number of channels in the design and how closely spaced they are.

When it comes to smooth-type finishes, broom-finished floors offer the highest level of slip resistance. Sandblasted surfaces are better than troweled finishes. And, as Sullivan points out, wood is rougher than steel and magnesium, so a wood-troweled finish is a little rougher and more slip-resistant.

Most concrete surfaces are already slip resistant.

When it comes to concrete surfaces, the problem is never really about slip resistance, the problem is usually about aesthetics. Most companies don’t want a bare concrete surface because it can get very dirty and end up being a headache to clean.

So the solution ends up being some sort of decorative concrete or some floor paint that will make the surface look beautiful and keep it from becoming overwhelmingly dirty.

This is where slip resistance can become a problem. Most companies will have a contractor come out and install a coating without testing it for slip resistance. They usually try to take some sand or some cheap over-the-counter aggregate and add it to the paint in order to achieve some level of slip resistance. Unfortunately, these types of jobs always end up failing the slip test.

At Walkway Management Atlanta, we pride ourselves in being able to provide slip resistance on virtually any floor. We do not sell products, we sell safety!

If you are looking for a new concrete pour or installation of a new surface, we are partnered with companies that can provide all of your concrete needs. Feel free to reach out to us to inquire!