A Complete Guide to Creating a Non Slip Surface with Anti Slip Paint

Choosing the most suitable type of non slip surface coating

How you choose your anti slip paint depends upon a number of factors. Non slip floor coating t are numerous, and many are intended for specific substrates or end uses. Therefore, when choosing your paint, it is paramount that you keep in mind:

• The substrate’s environment: Is there a risk of chemical exposure, extreme temperatures, abrasion, UV radiation?
• The substrate type: Metal, concrete, wood, plastic, etc.
• The intended end use: Will the anti slip paint need to withstand mechanical loads and heavy impacts, or is it for foot traffic only? Is it in a setting where health and cleanliness is a concern?

Once you know exactly what you need from your non slip floor coating, you need to understand the demands of each coating type. Non skid paint comes in three different types: as a separate paint and non slip additive which need to be combined, a premixed non slip paint, and as a nano coating.

Invisible protection with non skid paint based on nanotechnology

Substrates: All.

Description: A non slip surface coating based on nanotechnology uses the numerous benefits of nano coatings and adds one more by making them non slip, too. A relatively new process, the non slip floor coating with nanotechnology provides a textured surface on a scale so small it is virtually unnoticeable, but which actually becomes even more non slip when it is wet. These coatings are also durable, waterproof, abrasion resistant, long-lasting, low-maintenance, and non-toxic.

Suitable for: Applications which require a clear, glossy finish and very thin coating profile. Nano non-slip floor coating can be used for interior and exterior applications including entryways and ramps, in food preparation areas, in wet-prone areas like spas, swimming pools, and leisure centers.

The simplest option – premixed non slip surface coating

Anti slip paint for wood is available as premixed  solutions.

Substrates: There are specific non skid paint products for specific substrates; this option is suitable for all substrates, but you need to choose the appropriate coating. For a breakdown of anti slip paint by substrate, visit our anti slip pages for wood and metal.

Description: The simplest of the anti slip paint options, these products come with aggregate pre-mixed, either as a two- or single-component system, or create a rough textured surface as the coating dries. These coatings are durable, water and oil resistant, and come in epoxy, polyurethane varieties. They are often divided into categories based on specific need; Offshore (corrosion resistant non slip paint for metal), Industrial (chemical and abrasion resistant non slip concrete paint) and Commercial (aesthetically appealing non slip paint).

Suitable for: Interior and exterior floors, walkways, decks, patios, mild industrial and commercial environments with up to heavy pedestrian foot traffic and light rubber wheeled cart traffic. Hospitals, kitchens, change rooms, schools, anywhere that requires a non slip floor coating.

DIY anti slip paint – combine a coating with non slip aggregate

Substrates: All, just choose your coating and aggregate pairing carefully.

Description: A non slip paint is made by adding an aggregate such as sand, glass beads, rubber crumb, and others to a regular coating. The aggregate provides a rough surface which prevents slipping. Aggregate can be mixed through a coating before application, or sprinkled over a still wet first coat. Both of these methods result in a non-slip floor coating yet if the second, it should be allowed to dry before having excess aggregate brushed away and a second coat applied on top. The aggregate comes in three grades: fine, medium, and coarse, in order of increasing anti slip strength.

Suitable for: Heavy industrial-use flooring to kitchen floors, aggregate is a flexible material. However, which aggregate you choose will affect which coating you can use: glass beads and synthetic aggregate can be combined with acrylic coatings as well as resin coatings (epoxy, urethane, polyaspartic and polyurea), whereas silica sand, aluminum oxide, colored quartz and flint silica aggregates can only be used with resin coatings. However, adding your own aggregate gives you control over the final anti skid paint system.

Anti skid coating products, prices and services in the US

Anti slip paint is available from suppliers across the US. If you would like any more information about anti slip paint for your project, our experts are here to help. Get in contact through the “Request a quote” button at the bottom of the article and use our 100% free service.

Note that the nano non slip floor coating products are not available for direct purchase, but are applied by trained contractors. In general the nanotechnology empowered coatings are also more expensive; you might pay some $30 per 10 sq. ft for areas of 5000 sq. ft and more.