Non-Skid Epoxy Coatings for Safer Industrial and Commercial Floors

Slippery floors are a common safety concern in manufacturing plants, restaurants, commercial kitchens, warehouses, and industrial facilities. Water, oils, grease, and other contaminants can reduce traction and increase the risk of slips and falls.

In many of these environments, a conventional smooth floor coating may not provide the surface texture needed for the application.

Dynamis Epoxy’s EPO Coat NS-100 is a heavy-duty, two-component, 100% solids epoxy coating designed to provide an aggressive non-skid surface for industrial and commercial applications.

Why Choose a Non-Skid Epoxy Coating?

Conventional epoxy coatings provide durable, protective finishes for many applications. However, smooth surfaces can become slippery when exposed to water, oils, grease, and other contaminants.

NS-100 incorporates a non-skid texture directly into the epoxy formulation, eliminating the need to broadcast separate aggregate into the coating during application.

The result is a durable, textured surface designed to improve traction in areas where slipping may be a concern.

While non-skid coatings can help improve footing, proper housekeeping, spill cleanup, drainage, and appropriate footwear remain essential.

Non-Skid Epoxy Applications in Manufacturing Facilities

Manufacturing environments frequently involve moving equipment, industrial machinery, oils, lubricants, and cleaning operations.

These conditions can create slippery walking and working surfaces.

NS-100 may be considered for properly prepared surfaces in areas such as:

• Manufacturing and assembly floors
• Machine shops and maintenance areas
• Equipment-access walkways
• Warehouses and distribution facilities
• Loading and receiving areas
• Industrial ramps and stairways

A textured epoxy coating can provide an additional measure of traction in locations where personnel regularly move around machinery and equipment.

Restaurants, Commercial Kitchens, and Food-Service Facilities

Restaurants and commercial kitchens present a different set of challenges.

Water from cleaning, food preparation, dishwashing, and accidental spills can create slippery conditions. Cooking oils and grease can further reduce traction.

For appropriately specified applications, NS-100 may be considered for:

• Commercial kitchen floors
• Dishwashing and washdown areas
• Restaurant preparation areas
• Food-service utility rooms
• Service corridors and employee walkways
• Storage and receiving areas

A properly selected non-skid floor coating can help improve traction in areas where water, grease, and other contaminants may be encountered.

However, commercial kitchens and food-processing facilities may have additional requirements concerning sanitation, cleanability, chemical resistance, and flooring materials. These requirements should be evaluated before selecting a coating.

Offshore Oil and Gas Facilities

Offshore oil and gas operations present challenging conditions for industrial floor and surface coatings.

Marine environments can involve persistent moisture, salt exposure, oils, heavy equipment, and frequent personnel movement.

Properly specified non-skid epoxy coatings may be considered for selected applications such as:

• Maintenance walkways
• Service platforms
• Equipment-access areas
• Designated working surfaces

NS-100 provides an aggressive textured finish that may be useful where improved footing is required.

For offshore installations, coating selection must also consider corrosion protection, chemical exposure, substrate conditions, and applicable facility safety specifications. Product suitability should be confirmed before use.

Proper Surface Preparation Is Essential

One of the most important factors in a successful epoxy application is surface preparation.

Surfaces must be structurally sound, properly prepared, and free of grease, oil, dirt, loose materials, and other contaminants that could interfere with adhesion.

Although NS-100 may be used in locations where surfaces encounter water or oils during normal operations, the substrate must be clean and dry when the epoxy is applied.

Applying epoxy over damp or contaminated surfaces can compromise adhesion and coating performance.

According to Dynamis’s application instructions, the substrate temperature must be at least 50°F, and new concrete must be properly cured for a minimum of 30 days.

Application should be delayed when moisture, temperature, or other environmental conditions do not meet the manufacturer’s requirements.

Understanding Coverage and Surface Texture

NS-100 produces a substantially more aggressive surface than a conventional smooth epoxy coating.

Because of this texture, coverage rates differ from those of ordinary epoxy floor paints.

The recommended coverage for NS-100 is approximately 50 square feet per gallon when trowel applied.

For example, a 400-square-foot area would require approximately eight gallons at this coverage rate, before accounting for surface irregularities and application waste.

Attempting to stretch material beyond its recommended coverage may result in inconsistent texture and reduced coating performance.

Mixing and Application

EPO Coat NS-100 is supplied as a two-component epoxy system.

Each component should be stirred thoroughly before combining. Once combined, mix for approximately 3–5 minutes using appropriate mechanical mixing equipment.

At normal room temperature, the mixed material provides approximately 30–45 minutes of working time.

NS-100 can be applied using a brush, trowel, or phenolic roller. When using a brush or roller, work the material in one direction with slow, even strokes, avoiding excessive rolling.

Always follow the current product instructions and safety data sheets.

Selecting the Right Epoxy Coating

Not every facility requires an aggressive non-skid surface.

For some applications, a smooth protective epoxy coating may be preferable. However, in environments where moisture, oils, grease, or other contaminants can reduce traction, a textured epoxy coating such as NS-100 may be worth considering.

The appropriate coating should be selected based on the substrate, anticipated contaminants, cleaning procedures, environmental conditions, and applicable safety requirements.

Learn More About EPO Coat NS-100

Dynamis Epoxy, LLC is a veteran-owned industrial epoxy manufacturer located in Venice, Florida.

Our products are manufactured in the United States for industrial maintenance, manufacturing, repair, and protective coating applications.

For product details, visit our EPO Coat NS-100 product page.

For questions about product selection, coverage, or application, contact Dynamis Epoxy at 800-828-8929 or 941-488-3999.

Coating suitability and slip-resistance performance depend on the application, contaminants, maintenance practices, and operating conditions. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable facility requirements.