Non Slip Coatings

There are lots of very different non slip coatings available for use in different flooring areas. For example, you’d want a very different type of coating in a restaurant than a industrial facility.

We will look primarily at paint on and spray on coatings, but there are also other options like non slip floor wax which is appropriate in some environments.

We use the term “non slip” but the technical term is Coefficient of Friction, often abbreviated COF, and there are guidelines established by OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, for acceptable levels of COF for floor coatings. Note that the COF often is reduced quickly through wear, and the prime culprit is improper application. Make sure application directions are followed carefully.

Many non slip coatings are epoxy based and there are variants suitable for concrete, metal, fiberglass, and much more. Both two part coatings, meaning they must be mixed before they are applied ,and premixed epoxy based coatings are avilable. These are designed for use on floors that have abrasive traffic and impact, for example fork lift traffic, as well as potential corrosive spills. They tend to be relatively easy to apply paints.
There are also some spray epoxy based coatings. These work on most surfaces except rubber (again, read the directions as products vary). The spray based ones often create a “diving board” type surface.

There are also polyurethane based coatings. Uses include factories and warehouses, garages, truck bed liners, boat decks, and even airport hangars & helicopter pads! These coatings can also be painted or sprayed on.

There are other types of coatings as well. My neighbor used an acrylic latex non slip coating for his garage he got from home depot for example.

If you need a small quantity as opposed to an industrial quantity, you’ll find your local hardware store or home improvement store will have a few varieties available. Mine even had a special non slip coating product for bathtubs!