Transform Your Wet Floors Into Safe Surfaces: The Complete Guide to Anti-Slip Additives for Epoxy Flooring
When it comes to epoxy flooring, one of the most pressing concerns for homeowners and business owners alike is safety in wet conditions. Because resinous garage floor coatings such as epoxy, polyurethane and polyurea are non-porous, the surface created can be very smooth, almost like glass in some cases. While this type of surface is fine when dry, it can become as slippery as an ice rink sometimes with the introduction of water, mud, oils, or snow. Fortunately, anti-slip additives provide an effective solution to transform potentially hazardous surfaces into safe, functional floors that maintain their beauty and durability.
Understanding the Need for Anti-Slip Solutions
Anti-slip aggregates are used primarily to reduce the risk of falls from a wet, slippery surface. The challenge with epoxy floors isn’t their quality—it’s their inherent smoothness that creates safety concerns when moisture is present. Since slip-and-fall accidents are among the most common workers’ compensation claims filed across a wide range of industries, it’s essential that everything possible be done to help make facility flooring safer for workers and visitors alike.
Whether you’re dealing with spills in a garage, condensation in a basement, or wet conditions in a commercial kitchen, the right anti-slip additive can make all the difference. If you are always involved with projects that can involve spilled fluids such as oil, anti-freeze, chemicals, or etc. that can create a slip fall hazard, then an anti-slip additive would help.
Types of Anti-Slip Additives: Choosing the Right Solution
Polymer Grit (Polybeads)
SSR-20 (2 sizes) are round polybeads that are the least aggressive, least visible and easiest to apply anti-slip. They are a lightweight additive mixed into the topcoat while mixing Parts A and B. A “friendlier” option to use here is “polymer grit,” which you can find in products like Shark Grip. The materials used here are much softer, meaning you won’t have issues with bare feet or skin. This makes polymer grit an excellent choice for residential applications where comfort and aesthetics are priorities.
Aluminum Oxide
For maximum safety and durability, aluminum oxide stands out as the premium choice. Aluminum Oxide (4 grit sizes and 2 colors) is a very tough mineral used for maximum anti-slip protection. It is the longest lasting, most durable anti-slip aggregate offering the greatest degree of safety. Aluminum oxide scores a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it much tougher than silica sand, which ranks at 7. Its angular crystals create a strong, textured surface.
Silica Sand
Our Silica Anti-slip aggregate is used to provide increased slip resistance to epoxy, polyurea and polyaspartic floor coating systems and improve safety when surface is wet. Silica can provides a low cost, aggressive option to project requirements to protect against a wet slippery surface. While cost-effective, silica sand is more visible than other options and can be harder to clean.
Application Methods and Considerations
The application of anti-slip additives requires careful consideration of both safety and performance. How much anti-slip aggregate to use involves a trade-off between safety, visual appearance and ability to keep clean. Usage varies widely from a low of 1 lb for every 1,000 sq’ typically used for lighter duty residential applications to as much as 1 lb for every 1 to 2 gallons of topcoat on higher risk or commercial and industrial applications.
Professional application is crucial for optimal results. When installing a garage floor coating yourself, the generally accepted method to applying a non-slip additive such as polymer grit or aluminum oxide is to mix it into the final top coat prior to rolling it onto the floor. 3 to 4 ounces per gallon of epoxy or other coating is the recommended ratio.
Professional Installation: The American Poly Floors Advantage
When considering an epoxy finish garage floor southeastern connecticut county, working with experienced professionals ensures optimal safety and performance. American Poly Floors, based in East Hartford, Connecticut, brings exceptional expertise to anti-slip epoxy installations. Founded by lifelong friends Craig and Dave during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company combines a strong work ethic with a passion for quality craftsmanship. Together, they’ve built a team of experienced professionals dedicated to delivering durable, stylish, and long-lasting floors.
Our team brings years of hands-on experience in concrete coating, resurfacing, and refinishing. We’ve completed thousands of projects across commercial, industrial, and residential spaces -delivering consistent, high-quality results every time. The company’s commitment to quality extends to their material selection, as they source their epoxy products from trusted manufacturers known for their durability and performance. We guarantee that your epoxy flooring will remain beautiful and functional for years to come, using only the best materials.
Safety and Maintenance Benefits
Anti-slip additives don’t just improve safety—they enhance the overall functionality of epoxy floors. Application of our high-performance non-skid textured epoxy coating provides safe foot traffic in both wet and dry conditions. Our single component, oil-based anti-slip paint is chemical resistant and durable to withstand heavy traffic.
The long-term benefits are substantial. Our approved installers are experienced in balance the right level of slip resistance with easy cleanability, to ensure your maintenance routines and other operations are fully accommodated. This balance ensures that safety improvements don’t compromise the floor’s ease of maintenance—a critical consideration for busy commercial and residential spaces.
Making the Right Choice for Your Space
The selection of anti-slip additives should be based on your specific environment and usage requirements. Choose additives that suit the specific environment: silica sand for wet areas, aluminum oxide for industrial spaces, and rubber granules for areas prioritizing comfort. For residential garages and basements, polymer grit offers an excellent balance of safety and comfort, while commercial and industrial applications may benefit from the superior durability of aluminum oxide.
Professional consultation is invaluable in making the right choice. It’s essential to understand the specific additive to achieve the desired anti-slip properties in your epoxy floor coating. Always consult a specialist or contractor for a better options. American Poly Floors’ expertise in Connecticut’s climate and conditions makes them an ideal partner for ensuring your epoxy floor provides both safety and longevity.
Anti-slip additives represent a critical investment in safety that doesn’t require sacrificing the aesthetic appeal or durability of epoxy flooring. With the right additive selection and professional installation, you can enjoy the benefits of beautiful, safe flooring that performs reliably in wet conditions for years to come.