How many steps does your team take across the factory floor every day? Probably hundreds of thousands, if not more. If you have forklifts around, that means more hectic traffic on your floors.
Now imagine the risk if those floors aren’t designed to prevent slips.
Factory safety starts from the ground up, literally. The floors under your employees’ feet need to do more than withstand machinery and foot traffic; they need to keep workers safe while supporting the pace of production, even in challenging conditions like spills, oils, or constant wear.
Choosing the right slip-resistant floor for your facility is not only a safety measure, but also an investment in your people and your productivity. That’s why selecting the right solution for your facility is so important.
In this article, we highlight the most common non-slip flooring materials for industrial settings and outline the key factors to weigh when making your decision.
Types of Non-Slip Floors for Industrial Settings
While there are many types of non-slip flooring, these four are the most common in industrial spaces:
- Epoxy
- Rubber
- Vinyl
- Concrete
Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy floor coating is one of the most popular solutions for factories and warehouses. Created by combining resin and a hardening chemical, epoxy forms a durable, cleanable, and highly slip-resistant surface. It’s ideal for areas exposed to heavy machinery, chemical spills, and high foot traffic. Another attractive benefit of epoxy is that it can be customized with added textures and floor striping to improve traction and guide traffic flow. The main drawback? It’s harder underfoot, which can be uncomfortable for employees who stand all day.
Rubber Flooring
Rubber naturally offers high traction (even when wet), making it a trusted option for safety. It’s softer and more comfortable than epoxy or concrete, which benefits workers who spend hours standing. Rubber is also impact-resistant, easy to maintain, and reduces noise in the workspace. However, prolonged exposure to oils and fats can break it down, so it’s not ideal for every environment, such as food processing facilities.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring offers a solid balance of durability, versatility, and affordability. Vinyl also comes in a variety of design options, which can be helpful in areas where appearance matters. It’s resistant to moisture and many chemicals, and it’s easy to maintain. To improve traction further, textured surfaces can be added during manufacturing. One key disadvantage of vinyl flooring is that it’s not as environmentally friendly as other material options.
Concrete Flooring
Concrete has long been the workhorse of industrial floors. Its durability allows it to carry heavy machinery and withstand constant activity. With surface treatments like concrete polishing or anti-slip coatings, concrete can also be made safer underfoot. On the downside, unsealed concrete is porous, which can lead to staining, and its hardness can be tough on employees over long shifts.
Comparison at a Glance
| Flooring Type | Slip Resistance | Comfort | Durability | Maintenance | Best For |
| Epoxy | High (with textures) | Low | Excellent | Moderate | Heavy-duty, chemical-exposed areas |
| Rubber | Naturally High | High | Good | Easy | Areas needing comfort and noise reduction |
| Vinyl | Moderate-High (with coatings) | Moderate | Good | Easy | Versatile, cost-sensitive spaces |
| Concrete | Moderate (with treatments) | Low | Excellent | Moderate | Heavy machinery and high traffic |
Key Considerations for Choosing the Right Slip-Resistant Flooring
While each non-slip floor option has its strengths and limitations, choosing the right one comes down to finding the best fit for your facility’s unique conditions. Here are the main factors to consider:
- Traffic Patterns: Consider whether your space has constant forklift activity, heavy foot traffic, or both. Flooring needs to withstand the demands of daily movement without wearing down.
- Presence of Liquids and Oils: Spills are inevitable in many factories. Some materials (like rubber) handle water well but degrade under oils, while epoxy and vinyl resist chemicals more effectively.
- Exposure to Moisture: In humid or damp environments, flooring with moisture-resistant properties (like vinyl or treated concrete) will last longer and perform better.
- Industry-Specific Needs: Certain industries have unique demands, like food processing, which requires flooring that is both easy to sanitize and slip-resistant.
- Maintenance Capabilities: Some floors require sealing, special cleaning, or re-coating. Factor in how much time and resources your team can realistically commit to upkeep.
- Compliance and Safety Standards: Floors must meet OSHA safety requirements, so it’s important to choose a material that reliably provides slip resistance and protects employees, even under your facility’s specific conditions.
So, What Is the Best Slip-Resistant Flooring?
The truth is, there isn’t a universal answer. The best choice depends on your facility’s environment, the type of work being done, and the safety standards you must uphold. What does matter across the board is choosing a floor that keeps your team safe and helps you stay compliant.
At CPC Floor Coatings, we understand that every plant and production line has different challenges. That’s why we offer a range of industrial flooring services, including epoxy, urethane, and concrete polishing, tailored to your facility’s specific needs. Our team can help you evaluate your options, select the right solution, and install it properly and with minimal disruption, so you get the safety, durability, and peace of mind you need.
Protecting your team starts from the ground up. Contact us to explore flooring solutions that fit your needs and put safety first.