Diamond-Plate floor design, also known as checker plate, offers an industrial aesthetic available as flooring or mats. This homogenous design has a regular pattern of raised diamonds or lines on one side, with a smooth backside. Diamond-Plate flooring products traditionally have been available in steel, stainless steel or aluminum. However, recent modern design and functional needs have led to a proliferation of Diamond-Plate floors and mats made from rubber or vinyl. Rubber Diamond-Plate flooring now surfaces gyms, trailers, kennels, basements and more. This raised and pressed diamond design has a few variations and has been a subject to some design modifications.

In the early part of the 20th century, concepts such as efficiency, standardization, and functionality became popular. It is during these times that harmonious and linear designs were made popular. The idea that machines can make products and designs uniform was something new and exciting, considering all parts had been previously made by hand. As industrial designers start mass-producing goods like automobiles, trains, and commercial trucks, they needed floors that were durable, beautiful, and non-slip. Hence the development of Diamond-Plate floor designs made from metal.

Diamond-Plate floor products were initially used for surface protection against damage from foot traffic or other machinery. Raised surface of the checker-plate or tread-plate design help enhance grip on top of the floor and reduce the possibility of slipping. In addition, the Diamond-Plate design was branded to reflect its tough, gritty and durable status. Diamond-Plate floor products soon began to appear in military and commercial applications where floor protection was a necessity. Nowadays, Diamond-Plate mats can be found as surface protectors, industrial deck covers, and commercial racking jackets. The Diamond-Plate floor brand is definitely one of durability.

Diamond-Plate flooring made from rubber and vinyl is a response to the design needs of modern times. Rubber Diamond-Plate mats are far more affordable than their metal counterparts and are far more accessible due to their inexpensive nature. In addition, rubber Diamond-Plate mats feature the same industrial design that diamond plating was famed for, with the added benefit of rubber’s inherent slip-resistance. Unlike metals, rubber has a high coefficient of friction, making it an excellent anti-slip product. The added texture of the Diamond-Plate surface enhances traction to reduce the risk of slipping, making Diamond-Plate flooring the ideal non-slip solution for stairs, catwalks, walkways, and ramps in various commercial, industrial, and residential settings.

Why should textured flooring be used in workplaces?

1. Spills on walking surfaces may cause slippery, hazardous conditions. Commercial kitchens, medical facilities, and outdoor pathways are few locations that pills are common and recurring. The use of a rubber Diamond-Plate floor mat will reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls. Think about all of the locations that are susceptible to spills, from locker rooms and pool areas to the food-service industry.

2. Ice, snow, or rain can create outdoor slipping hazards and can be tracked indoors. Retail and commercial facilities that are burdened with lots of business and foot-traffic are also subject to possible slip-and-fall accidents. This liability exposure can easily be reduced through the use of some affordable non-slip rubber Diamond-Plate flooring. Using Diamond-Plate mats in entryways and outdoor walkways is an easy, effective way to improve toehold and maintain footing in even the most intense weather conditions.

3. Damaged walking surfaces that are in disrepair may have protruding nails and boards, or changes in floor height that have the potential to cause slips, trips, and falls. Contaminants on the floor, walking surface irregularities, and tripping hazards lead to most slip-and-fall injuries in the workplace. Just because the floors are dry, it does not necessarily mean they are safe and secure. Using rubber Diamond-Plate floors on top of damaged concrete or blacktop is highly recommended and serves as a cheap, long-lasting insurance policy.