No one wants uneven floors – or do they? The fact is that sloped flooring has applications that few people realize. In some instances, uneven floors could actually serve the needs of certain industries.
Types of Sloped Floors
Sloped floors are basically uneven floors. In many instances, uneven flooring is unwanted and viewed as a structural defect. In some places, however, sloped floors are intended as part of the overall design of the building.
Currently, there are two major types of sloped floors. There are the anti-fatigue floors and the non-slip type. The anti-fatigue is typically made of foam or other material that helps cushion the feet. This is used in properties where people stand for long periods like the check-out counter. The foam helps reduce leg pain caused by standing for too long periods.
The non-slip flooring on the other hand is designed to create traction on the floor surface. They’re typically placed in high-traffic areas like hallways. This helps prevent slippage which can happen in areas with massive foot traffic.
Commercial Applications of Sloped Floors
In residential homes, sloped floors are mainly seen in bathrooms. The sloped floor leads to the drain, allowing water to naturally flow thanks to gravity. This way, there are zero chances of the water remaining stagnant on the bathroom floor.
In commercial properties, however, sloped floors are integrated due to a variety of reasons. Here’s where you can usually find these installations:
Commercial Kitchens
Sloped floors are installed in commercial kitchens for ease of cleaning. It’s necessary to keep the kitchen flooring clean since food is prepared in the space. With sloped floors, the cleaning process becomes easier, especially for incredibly busy kitchens.
However, the reasoning is a bit more than that. The fact is that kitchens can experience spills of different liquid products from oil, vinegar, stock, and so on. A sloped floor helps the liquid pool into a particular area, therefore minimizing the chances of slipping on the surface.
Animal Housing
You will find that most dairy housings have sloped flooring. This is to help with cleaning, especially for certain animals. However, dairy housing has an added reason for the sloped surface. This is because cows develop weaker legs on flat surfaces. Remember – cows genetically evolved to walk on uneven ground. The uneven surface helps them grip the floor better and therefore develop stronger legs. With a completely flat surface, this becomes impossible.
Good installers have the ability to create small grooves onto the surface, allowing it to get as close as possible to how the ground looks and feels. This minimizes slips and falls for the cows or other animals.
Running Tracks
This sounds counterproductive as running tracks are supposed to be flat in order to keep the surface safe for runners, right? However, studies have shown that slightly sloped floors can actually reduce the impact on the feet. This makes them ideal for runners who are training long distances and need to have a bit more cushioning for the joints. The sloped design can also help control overall speed so there’s less risk of falling or slipping.
Wheelchair Floors
This one’s a no-brainer as sloped floors actually make it easier for wheel-chair bound persons to move from one space to another. Gravity does most of the work as they move through space. But what about if they have to go uphill? Since the degree of the slope is very minimal and so it barely registers. Overall, however, sloped floors offer a net positive for wheelchair users.
Industrial Processing
The same with commercial kitchens, sloped floors in industrial buildings help reduce accidents resulting from slipping and sliding. Combined with the right materials, sloped floors can also withstand thermal shock, high-temperature changes, and certain chemicals.
Sloped or uneven floors have practical uses in both residential and commercial settings. However, it’s important to note that sloped flooring is as good as the people installing it. Extreme Epoxy Coatings are industry leaders who have ample experience in installing sloped floors that meet business needs without ruining the aesthetic appeal of the space. If you’re thinking about installing sloped floors, make sure to check them out and look through their offerings before placing an order.
[…] However, it’s important to note that sloped flooring is as good as the people installing it. ExtremeEpoxyCoatings are industry leaders who have ample experience in installing sloped floors that meet business needs […]