Aluminium Decking: Is Non-Slip Powder Coating Scratch Resistant?

06 Jul Aluminium Decking: Is Non-Slip Powder Coating Scratch Resistant?

It’s common to ask whether the non-slip powder coating applied to our aluminium decking scratches easily.

The simple answer to this question is that powder coated surfaces are, in fact, more resistant to scratching and chipping.

In this post, we give some more information about our non-slip powder coating process and what level of scratch resistance it offers.

Read on to find out more…

Look Out For Standards

When looking for a non-slip powder-coated surface material for your external flooring project, you should seek products that meet defined standards..

The QUALICOAT quality label is a product certification scheme that encompasses all the current European standards, improves on them and insists that the output be checked by an independent body.

The label is committed to maintaining and promoting the quality of lacquering, painting and coating on aluminium and its alloys, for architectural applications.

In specifying a product that is QUALICOAT-standard, you are getting peace of mind that it performs to a certain level.

Why Powder Coat Your Aluminium Decking?

Specifying aluminium decking that is powder-coated will have numerous benefits. Not only will it provide you with an abundant array of design possibilities – due to having a range of RAL colour options to choose from – it can also provide slip resistance.

Slip resistance is most certainly something to consider with your aluminium decking since aluminium, by nature, has a smooth surface – and therefore could pose a potential slip hazard.

Many manufacturers use rubber inserts to provide slip resistance to their aluminium decking. However, in doing so, you will be negating its Class A-rated fire resistance.

As you’ll be aware, Class A rated flooring is fast becoming the preferred specification choice for numerous schemes – regardless of whether or not they fall into the ‘relevant buildings above 18 metres’ category. 

This is due to the wealth of A-Rated products available nowadays, combined with uncertainty around current legislation. How long will it be until the 18 metres is lowered to, say, 11 metres?

Alfresco Floors Recommends: The AR-DECK For a Non-Slip, Powder Coated & Scratch Resistant Decking

When specifying A-Rated external flooring materials, it’s worth considering the flooring system as a whole – as opposed to specifying the substrate and surface material separately.

Whilst we advocate both, there are many benefits specifying your external flooring system as a whole; namely, the ease of installation, shorter lead time and a more streamlined, simplified process.

We recognised the need for a cost-effective, efficient solution to class A fire-rated decking – and thus, The AR-DECK was born.

The AR-DECK comprises of deckboards with a fully adjustable pedestal and joist sub-frame, offering an in-built slope correction facility of up to 5%.

Quite often, whole flooring systems are limited to only specific applications, but this unique slope correction facility makes uneven groundworks or fall requirements a non-issue.

Talk To Us About Your Fire Rated Decking Requirements

As you can see, applying powder coating to an aluminium material actually improves its scratch and chip resistance, enhancing the product’s overall longevity.

To discuss your fire-rating requirements, feel free to speak to an expert today – just fill out the form below.