While restaurants are great places to enjoy a nice meal, sometimes things do not go as planned. Today, slips and falls are the most common causes of injuries in restaurants among both customers and employees. The reason for this is obvious; food and beverage spills in restaurants are a common event every single day and, when mixed with cooking oils, they can make floors very slippery. The floors may have been just mopped and still be wet; the servers usually carry heavy trays of food and can be in a hurry; or worse, the aisles are narrow – so the risk of a bump and a fall is significantly increased. Non-slip restaurant flooring is a must when considering restaurant flooring.
Slips and falls in a restaurant are not just of academic interest. Each year, close to one million customers and three million staff members slip and fall in restaurants. These falls often result in workers’ compensation claims and general liability claims.
Just one lawsuit can quickly deplete a savings account. How can slips and falls be reduced in a restaurant? Experts say that one of the major factors that increase the risk of falls in a restaurant is the type of flooring used. If you want to lower the risk of slips for your customers and staff, you need to incorporate non-slip flooring for restaurants.
In order to prevent slips and falls due to flooring, however, it is important to understand a few important facts about flooring materials.
- In general, the more polished the flooring is, the greater the risk of falls. Falls can occur whether the floor is wet or dry. Flooring, like marble, granite, and concrete, when polished, and without added anti-slip measures, can be very slippery when wet.
- Even if the flooring is textured, if you add fluids like water, ice, and food, it can become slippery.
- In general, you want flooring that will provide traction to footwear and lower the risk of slippage. You should choose non-slip flooring for restaurants.
- Thanks to modern technology, today one does not have to sacrifice function for aesthetics. If you want a polished-looking floor, several products are available that meet the criteria for slip resistance, while at the same time offering excellent cosmesis.
When you are considering non-slip restaurant flooring, will you need to compromise between aesthetics and functionality? You surely do not want any flooring that becomes an ice rink when wet, but, at the same time, you want flooring that has good aesthetics, is functional, affordable, easy to clean, and comfortable to walk on. Thankfully, today, there are several types of non-slip flooring for restaurants available in many styles and prices.
Concrete
Concrete has many great features for commercial businesses. It is hard, durable, and easy to clean and maintain. While the first-generation concrete was slippery when wet, the latest concrete flooring comes with a surface coating that offers good traction for feet, and slips are rare.
Concrete flooring is perfect for restaurants, outdoors, decks, patios, front entrances, sidewalks, or any area with high foot traffic and slip liability. Concrete can be customized for non-slip restaurant flooring.
Tiles
Tiles have been around for many decades, and the latest products are available in many styles, patterns, and designs. Tiles are durable and moisture-resistant, but the downside is that they do become slippery when wet. Well, that was before the engineers stepped in.
Today, you can have an extra surface coating on tiles that not only makes tiles stain-resistant but also aids them in being non-slip flooring for restaurants.
Even more exciting is that the latest tiles are crafted in a manner that allows maximum water drainage in the event of a spill, so the risk of a slip is greatly reduced. Of course, it is important to wipe the floor of all spills and food drops as soon as possible.
Because of the slip resistance feature, today tiles can be used in commercial kitchens and bathrooms, where cosmesis is not as important as preventing falls, however with tiles, you can have both. Tiles can also be used at the entrance, bar, and lobby as a source of non-slip flooring for restaurants.
Luxury Vinyl
Even though luxury vinyl is not new, it is a latecomer in the world of commercial restaurants. If there is one flooring that has all the desirable features needed in a restaurant, then luxury vinyl has it. In fact, it can even mimic hardwood or marble flooring at a fraction of the cost.
Besides being easy to clean and relatively easy to install, it is durable and can withstand significant foot traffic. The latest luxury vinyl can also come with a surface coating that makes it stain-resistant and anti-slip.
The beauty of luxury vinyl is that it has excellent cosmesis and imparts a warm, welcoming sign to customers. It can be a great non-slip restaurant flooring.
Rubber
Over the past decade, rubber flooring has caught on in commercial businesses, including restaurants. It is an excellent flooring material with many great features. It can withstand all types of traffic and will still not develop dents or kinks. It is more durable than most other floorings and it is moisture resistant.
Due to the way the surface is textured, it is anti-slip even when wet. Rubber flooring can be installed almost anywhere in the restaurant because it also muffles sound and is easy on the feet. The one downside to rubber flooring is the initial cost, which can be high. But if you want flooring that is safe and will last many decades, you will never go wrong with rubber.
Hardwood
There is no question that the most elegant flooring is hardwood. Hardwood flooring also has the ability to increase the value of the property. But hardwood can sometimes be slippery. The hardwood itself is not naturally slippery, but outside factors, like dust, waxes, and polishes, can make the flooring very slippery. How do you prevent slips and falls after hardwood installation? Read on for some tips.
- First, the simplest way to make hardwood less slippery is to clean it regularly and remove debris and dust.
- Mop at least once every week to help decrease the build-up of any sticky grime. Use a microfiber cloth mop head for the best results. Areas of low foot traffic may need less frequent mopping.
- As a bonus to fight against slippery floors, select a broom with soft bristles or a mop treated with some type of dusting agent. A vacuum with a hose attachment that is non-abrasive would be another good option for cleaning.
- You can also purchase products like rugs, door mats, and non-slip pads that can be placed in strategic locations to prevent slips.
- There are several anti-slip treatments available, including sprays and coatings that are anti-slip. The aerosol sprays generate a thin film of foam that quickly dries into a textured finish. On the other hand, surface coatings are generally urethane based and water soluble. An epoxy spray may also provide a better grip for pets and high heel shoes.
- There are also non-skid paint additives that can help decrease the risk of falls. The downside is that they are not cheap and only available in limited colors.
- If the wood flooring still remains slippery, you may need to remove the residual wax and refinish the flooring. Again, hardwood can only be refinished 2-4 times.
Carpet
When it comes to aesthetics, carpet still reigns supreme. Carpet flooring is warm, inviting, and comfortable on the feet. And, unlike hardwood, slips on a carpet are not that common. But they can occur when the fibers are worn out. Slips can also occur on carpet when the edges have loosened and increase the risk of tripping.
To prevent slips and falls on carpet, it is important to use felt pads or some type of anti-slip feature. The felt pads not only provide excellent insulation but also help cushion any falls. There are also anti-slip underlays available for rugs and thick carpets, which reduce the risk of falls.
Conclusion
Today, there should be no reason why you cannot have elegant flooring for your restaurant without having to worry about slips and falls. Overall, the best choices for non-slip restaurant flooring are hardwood, rubber, and luxury vinyl, but if you have a limited budget, tiles and carpet are other options. While there are several anti-slip remedies for flooring, such treatments usually last between 3-6 years. The lifespan will ultimately depend on the frequency of cleaning and usage.
If you are confused as to what is the best non-slip flooring for restaurants, go with luxury vinyl. This elegant flooring material has many great features, including excellent cosmesis. Plus, luxury vinyl is affordable and relatively easy to install. If you still can’t decide on non-slip flooring for your business, consult with a professional at East Coast Flooring & Interiors. Call us today for a free consultation or stop by their showroom.