Swisstrax and Snow - Are they Slippery??

Hey everyone.

Long time lurker, first time poster. In my research – here and elsewhere – I couldn't find any solid information on traction with floor tiles like Swisstrax or Racedeck when it comes to snowy footwear.

This past summer I had a slab poured for an addition to my my existing garage. The floor was power-troweled smooth without any sort of sealer. After the first snowfall, I walked in and was caught off-guard by how slippery the floor was! Originally I was entertaining the idea of some sort of epoxy floor covering but I'm not nuts on performing the prep-work, painting the floor, etc. I dunno... Tiles seem like a simpler task (and they can be removed/used elsewhere) when I sell the house.

I like the look of the Swisstrax Floortrax tiles. They're a solid piece as opposed to the Ribtrax which have the grooves. I figure if I'm working at the workbench and drop a really small screw or nut, locating and fishing it out of a Ribtrax tile could tricky. I'm concerned about traction when snowy though. I don't know how much grip the Floortrax have under that circumstance. I can see the Ribtrax being better since the snow would get caught between the ribs.

Any insight or comments on tile slickness and snow?

Thanks!

For those who weren't aware, here's what the Floortrax tile looks like:

https://www.swisstrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/floortrax-interlocking-tiles-closeup.jpg

misterpister said:

Hey everyone.

Long time lurker, first time poster. In my research – here and elsewhere – I couldn't find any solid information on traction with floor tiles like Swisstrax or Racedeck when it comes to snowy footwear.

This past summer I had a slab poured for an addition to my my existing garage. The floor was power-troweled smooth without any sort of sealer. After the first snowfall, I walked in and was caught off-guard by how slippery the floor was! Originally I was entertaining the idea of some sort of epoxy floor covering but I'm not nuts on performing the prep-work, painting the floor, etc. I dunno... Tiles seem like a simpler task (and they can be removed/used elsewhere) when I sell the house.

I like the look of the Swisstrax Floortrax tiles. They're a solid piece as opposed to the Ribtrax which have the grooves. I figure if I'm working at the workbench and drop a really small screw or nut, locating and fishing it out of a Ribtrax tile could tricky. I'm concerned about traction when snowy though. I don't know how much grip the Floortrax have under that circumstance. I can see the Ribtrax being better since the snow would get caught between the ribs.

Any insight or comments on tile slickness and snow?

Thanks!

For those who weren't aware, here's what the Floortrax tile looks like:

https://www.swisstrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/floortrax-interlocking-tiles-closeup.jpg

Click to expand...

Speaking in general, polypropylene tiles, obviously are a form of plastic. Regardless of pattern, plastic plus standing water or ice, you need to use caution.

My go to pattern in this case would be a ribbed or flow through type of pattern. This would allow you to walk on a dry surface. Another option would be to use a containment mat on top of the tile.

Good Day and thanks for your inquiry. If you do have a lot of snow then I would agree with Justin and get an open design tile to allow for drainage. Our Ribtrax tiles are the best. We also offer the Ribtrax in a recycled rubber for enhanced traction. (Rubbertrax). We also offer all these products tested, wet and dry, for traction according to ASTM C 1028-06. We have also done the testing by NFSI or the Natl. Floor Safety Institute. In a nut shell the Ribtrax work the best and were made for snow and wet environments. We rent our floors for many events where there is rain (not much snow) since the product drains. Hope that helps.

Hello,

Another option is to do a combination of the drain tile and a solid top around your workbench to catch any falling pieces. Either way, I would request samples from any company you are considering. Much easier decision with the product in hand.

First post here...

I find that traction is not an issue at all, I wash the car on it and even with soapy water it's not a problem on the Ribtrax, but may be on a solid tile(see below, I don't usually get the solid tile wet).

I live in Canada and loved the idea of the flow through design but really like the solid look of a diamond plate or coin look, as well as the look of a nice clean epoxy floor.

Found out about Swisstrax and other flow through floors and I was mostly worried about rocks getting caught up in the open slats.

After many weeks of deliberation I desided to go with Swisstrax and a combination of Ribtrax, where I park and DiamondTrax around the outside. I absolutely made the right choice! Snow just melts straight down into the Ribtrax and runs off. The garage always looks clean. Rocks rarely get caught in the ribs and just vacuum up (strong shopvac is required though). Some pebbles that do get jammed are easily popped up with a screwdriver. I also wash my cars in the garage now (winter only) as there is much less mess visible since the drainage is directly through the tile to the drains.

I do have a slab heated garage, if that matters. Prior to installing this flooring this summer I would have a dirty garage floor all winter, and I wouldn't even think of washing the cars in it. Was the best thing I did, and I'm happy that I went with Swisstrax over epoxy or painted type finish as my floor was previously painted and prep would have been quite a pain and I was worried about the risk of "getting it wrong". Also, the benefits of the cleanliness of the drainage straight through is one of the things that makes me the most happy with this choice.

Edit: get a REALLY strong magnet for picking up stuff you drop, it's a requirement.

Cheers,
Rod

Oh yeah, I was also worried about durability.... I can say that the Diamond plate is extremely durable and the Ribtrax even more so.

I drag my 6000 lb floor jack that has to weigh 60 lbs and has metal wheels without hesitation.

I desided not to be "careful" with the floor and just use this as a garage. Among other heavy items, I have pushed a 800lb - 1000lb tire changer machine short distances around on both the diamond trax and Ribtrax. Note: I placed spare pieces of tile under it, so had plastic on plastic, which slides easily. You can't see a thing on the Ribtrax, and barely see anything on the DiamondTrax. What I did see was mostly dirt and it washed off, the minor scuffs just blend in with the surface, even if slightly visible if know what to look for.

Thanks everyone for all the insights, suggestions and testimonials. Your posts certainly helped!

We manufacture all of our RaceDeck products right here in Salt Lake City, Utah where we get a lot of snow. Our FreeFlow open-rib style was engineered here and works very well in these harsh climates. What's also great is you can interlock all our styles( solid top, open-rib, 12" and 18") together for unlimited options.