Is Pattern Imprinted Concrete Slippery?
No. Imprinted concrete is used repeatedly in areas of high footfall by the likes of McDonalds, KFC, Butlins, Pontins, and all the theme parks throughout the UK, virtually every single zoo has some decorative concrete, public areas, and domestic driveways and patios. This would not be the case if imprinted concrete had a poor skid resistance value. Of course, people can and do slip on imprinted concrete, but it’s important to remember that people also can and do slip on tarmac, ordinary concrete, block paving, paving slabs and of course wet wooden decking!!!! It’s not just the preserve of coloured pattern imprinted concrete.
Testing by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRL)
The skid resistance value (SRV) of pattern imprinted concrete has been independently tested by the TRL and it passed tests regarding SRV, being declared suitable for use in areas with pedestrian and vehicular traffic. There are, of course, specialist surfaces that have a higher skid resistance value than imprinted concrete, such as skid areas in front of roundabouts, but when compared to other surfaces, such as block paving, tarmac or paving slabs, pattern imprinted concrete stands up well. Paving slabs, for example, will see moss and algae grow on them and this can make them extremely slippery, and most people have got a story to tell about the perils of wet wooden decking. With imprinted concrete, there’s less likelihood of moss or algae growth because it’s sealed. That’s not to say moss and algae won’t grow on imprinted concrete, but it is less likely, and it’s also easier to clean with your water jet as the surface has been sealed.
SRV Improves with Time
One thing to note is that imprinted concrete’s skid resistance value (SRV) is better when the area is a few months old as opposed to the very first day that it’s been sealed because once it’s been used and weathered and worn a little bit, the surface gets a bit of dirt on it and gets micro abraded which naturally increases the skid resistance values.
In Summary
Testing by the Road and Transport Research Laboratory confirms that there is no reason to be concerned about the skid resistance values of imprinted concrete. In addition, pattern imprinted concrete is widely used not only in this country, but across the world, in hugely varied climates and temperatures for many purposes in high footfall public areas, a variety of domestic situations, and even swimming pool surrounds! There is simply nothing to be concerned about the SRV of pattern imprinted concrete.
Dr Concrete