Comparing Anti-Slip Coatings Vs Mats

Source; commercial rubber-backed anti-slip floor mat with nylon fibres placed over worn tiles

An anti slip mat is a rubber or plastic mat specially made to improve traction and prevent slips on smooth surfaces. These mats also trap moisture from surfaces, making them very effective in wet areas. 

However, there are some issues with anti slip bath mats. From bacterial growth and trip hazards to damaged flooring underneath, anti slip floor mats present a unique set of challenges.

Anti slip coatings are a more permanent anti slip solution. They enhance existing surfaces directly, allowing facilities in high-risk industries to meet AS 4586 and AS 4663 slip-resistance requirements.

In this article, we explore anti slip coatings as an alternative to anti slip mats. Find out what's best for your facility.

Key Takeaways

• Anti slip floor mats do not provide slip resistance compliance
• Coatings are a cost-effective, better alternative to anti slip mats
• Marine, aged care, education, healthcare and retail facilities benefit greatly from a permanent anti slip solution
• Stellmann's anti-slip coatings are certified by the CSIRO for slip resistance compliance

5 Critical Problems With Anti Slip Mats

In schools, aged care homes, commercial kitchens, beer pubs, and other high-traffic locations, the risks of anti slip bath mats often outweigh their safety benefits. 

Here's why anti slip mats don't work, especially in spaces with high-risk individuals:

1. They Create Slip and Trip Hazards

Over time, an anti slip floor mat will curl at the edges due to foot traffic and moisture. If they aren't anchored well, they may also slide on wet or dry floors.

According to Safe Work Australia, loose mats contribute to slip hazards because they are low, inconspicuous obstacles. On Reddit, a user shared how her mom shattered an ankle and leg bone after slipping on a mat at a shop entrance.

2. They Breed Bacteria and Mould

Research shows that high moisture or humidity supports bacterial growth. It can also cause mould, compromising health and cleanliness standards.

Moisture trapped under anti-slip floor mats in damp environments poses a risk in clinics, kitchens, fish markets, and nursing homes, where infection control is critical.

3. Ongoing Replacement Costs Add Up

Mats have an average lifespan of six to eighteen months. In busy facilities, they wear out more quickly and require frequent replacement. 

An anti slip floor mat costs between $60 and $150 per m², depending on its quality and duty level. In contrast, our coatings cost $15- $30 per m² and can last up to 5 years before replacement.

4. No Slip Resistance Compliance

Anti-slip mats do not contribute to AS 4663 and AS 4586 compliance, as these standards assess slip resistance on the actual floor surface. 

Because mats are movable, they create a compliance gap that increases the risk of liabilities for facility managers and property owners.

5. Maintenance Disruption in Facilities

To keep an anti slip floor mat hygienic, it needs to be removed daily for cleaning and drying. Labour costs, operational disruptions, and cleaning chemicals also accelerate the mat's degradation. 

These problems highlight why anti-slip mats don't work, especially in areas where slip resistance is critical. 

Further Reading: Slip Resistance Compliance in Commercial Facilities

Anti Slip Coatings Vs Mats: Where Slip Resistance Matters Most

We've compared the performance of anti slip floor mats and coatings across five high-traffic, high-moisture, and/or high-risk environments. The comparison highlights where a commercial floor anti slip coating outperforms mats.

Source - boat deck smooth, dark flooring with wet areas and blue skies on the horizon

1. Boats and Marine Applications

Due to UV degradation, saltwater, and constant movement, boat deck mats don't perform well. They shift and curl, creating even more trip hazards.

Alternatively, applying a marine anti-slip coating directly to deck surfaces reduces slip hazards in wet conditions. They are also durable and will preserve the boat's original aesthetics.

2. Commercial Kitchens and Food Service

Commercial kitchens, bars, and pubs are home to grease, liquids, and constant foot traffic. In these conditions, mats trap moisture and food particles, which is unhygienic.

Under a HACCP-based food safety program, you'll spend more on labor to clean the mats everyday. You may also notice the mats shift or bunch at their edges, which gives business spaces a tacky look.

In contrast, a commercial floor anti slip coating increases traction across bar floor anti slip zones and other surfaces. It is easy to clean and supports safer operations in high-traffic food and beverage environments.

3. Fish Markets and Seafood Processing

Fish markets are constantly overrun with water, fish scales, and blood. Under these conditions, anti-slip floor mats trap organic waste, breeding bacteria and odours. This increases labor expenses for regular cleaning and replacement.

Heavy foot traffic, trolleys, forklifts, and the strong chemicals used for food-safety cleaning accelerate mat deterioration, making it harder to stay compliant with local council requirements and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

In contrast, a fish market floor coating will not trap moisture or organic matter, is resistant to harsh cleaning chemicals, and can be easily hosed down.

4. Hospitality Venues

Due to foot traffic and food debris, mats in dining areas, hotel lobbies, and pool decks wear out quickly. They'll curl at the edges, change colour, or hold moisture, creating slip risks, odours, and hygiene concerns.

Many managers now replace anti slip mats with coatings to ensure slip resistance on polished or wet floors and preserve the facility's aesthetics.

5. Aged Care and Healthcare Facilities

These locations house our most vulnerable populations, so managers need to control infections and eliminate hazards — two areas where anti-slip floor mats are not effective. Slip-resistant coatings provide an alternative to anti-slip mats, improving safety for older adults and people with mobility impairments in these locations.

Further Reading: How to Prevent Slips in Commercial Kitchens

Advantages of Stellmann Anti Slip Coatings 

Looking for a permanent anti slip solution?

The Stellmann CSIRO-certified non-slip coatings are engineered to ensure compliance with AS 4586/4663. We provide a range of slip resistance solutions rated P3-P5 for flooring upgrades, line marking and stair nosing in commercial facilities. 

Here's what our anti slip solutions provide:

• Long-lasting slip resistance (up to 5 years with proper maintenance)
• Smooth, flat application that eliminates trip hazards
• Easy cleaning and maintenance to enhance hygiene
• Good ROI and long-term cost-effectiveness
• Simple, one-coat installation and fast curing
• After-hours installation for minimal disruption to operations
• A Slip-Test Pass Guarantee for facilities undergoing audits

Source - a cross-sectional view of an ALDI Australia store aisle floor near the fresh produce zone

At the ALDI Australia store in Wyong, New South Wales, management discovered that parts of their ceramic tile flooring didn't meet Australian slip-resistance standards. These areas were particularly in the fresh produce and cashier zones, so they posed a safety risk to customers and staff. 

ALDI chose to apply Stellmann Non-Slip Clear P3 Soft — a transparent coating that delivers slip-resistance compliance and a UV-resistant seal that protects the floor against spills and wear. 

Stellmann's commercial floor anti slip coating helped ALDI maintain compliant, safe floors in a high-traffic retail environment without ruining their aesthetics.

5-Year Cost Comparison: Anti Slip Coating vs Mats

Anti slip coatings offer a much higher return on investment compared to mats, as one installation provides long-term slip protection that temporary anti-slip mats cannot match.

A commercial-grade anti-slip rubber mat typically costs $60-$150 per m² and lasts about 18 months. You may need three to four replacements over five years. Throw in the minimum wage for installation, and the total cost increases.

Meanwhile, including installation, our Stellmann anti slip coatings solutions cost $30-$50 per m².

Here's how they compare for a 30m² area over 5 years:

• Mats: Initial purchase + 4 replacements + repeated installation labor = over $18,000
• Coating: One-time anti-slip coating installation for the same area = under $3000

With anti-slip coatings, you break even within 18-24 months and save about $15,000 over five years. Anti-slip mats also carry hidden costs, including increased slip liability risk and ongoing cleaning labour.

Switching to A Permanent Anti Slip Solution

Stellmann anti slip solutions needed for professional installation, from hardener to coating

Explaining how Stellmann's anti-slip coating works compared to traditional mats, Daniel, a facility manager in the hospitality and sports industry, shared his experience:

"We coated all the change rooms and showers in our leisure centre in a single day. No more slips, and it is so much easier without rubber mats."

Here's what to consider when making the switch:

1. When to Replace Anti Slip Mats

Replace anti slip floor mats once they begin to fail. Common signs include slipping out of place, curled edges, worn or faded surfaces, and embedded dirt that persists after cleaning. 

2. Stellmann's Site Assessment Process

Stellmann's consultation process includes an on-site surface inspection, review of existing test reports, tailored compliance recommendations, and a fixed quote.

3. Installation Timeline

Most installations are completed within 1-2 days, minimising operation disruptions. 

Where required, Stellmann also provides post-installation slip testing to confirm slip resistance compliance with AS 4663 and AS 4586 standards, along with a warranty if third-party testing does not show the specified slip rating.

FAQs

Q1: What is the difference between anti-slip coatings and mats?

Answer: 

Anti-slip coatings are chemical treatments applied to floor surfaces to enhance surface texture, while anti-slip mats are removable floor coverings that provide a textured, high-grip surface and absorb surface moisture.

Q2: Which is better for commercial spaces: coatings or mats?

Answer: 

Anti-slip mats help control localized slip hazards in private areas. Meanwhile, for commercial spaces such as entire bars or industrial kitchen floors, coatings offer a more professional, near permanent anti slip solution.

Q3: How long do anti-slip coatings last compared to mats?

Answer: 

Anti-slip coatings retain their certified slip ratings for 2-4 years, and with proper maintenance, may not require reapplication for up to 5 years. In contrast, anti-slip mats typically need to be replaced every 6-18 months.

Q4: What are the problems with anti-slip mats?

Answer: 

The problems with anti-slip mats include: 

• Trip hazards from shifting or curled edges
• Health risks from mould and bacteria growth
• Stress of frequent cleaning and airing
• No certified slip ratings for compliance

Conclusion 

For facilities comparing anti-slip coatings vs. mats, the difference is clear. Mats offer a temporary fix, whereas  anti slip coatings deliver long-term performance, hygiene, and cost savings. 

Choosing a permanent solution instead of anti slip mats eliminates slip hazards and ensures slip-resistance compliance in high-risk areas of your facility, where safety and compliance matter most.

Stellmann's anti-slip floor coatings are CSIRO-certified and ideal for high-traffic commercial environments. Book your free slip resistance assessment now.