Would Your Vinyl Flooring Pass A Slip Safety Check?

Vinyl Floor Safety in Aged Care

Vinyl flooring has long been a popular choice in aged care facilities due to its durability, affordability, and ease of cleaning. However, as vinyl floors age, surface wear and coating degradation can significantly reduce slip resistance, increasing the risk of slips and falls among older residents. 

With growing scrutiny of slip resistance compliance, it is important to reassess whether existing floors remain fit for purpose. This article explores the lifespan of vinyl flooring, safety risks, and why non-slip coatings are an effective alternative to full replacement.

Key Takeaways 

• Worn vinyl flooring increases the risk of slips for residents.
  
• Non-slip coatings provide a cost-effective, compliant alternative.
  
• Treatments restore safety and extend floor lifespan.
  
• Regular testing and maintenance ensure ongoing safety.

What Is the Lifespan of Vinyl Floors?

Vinyl flooring typically has a lifespan of 10 to 20 years, depending on the quality of the material, installation standards, and the level of foot traffic it experiences. In aged care facilities, this lifespan can range from 3 to 5 years due to continuous use, regular cleaning, and exposure to moisture.

Over time, vinyl floors experience:

• Wearing of the protective top layer
  
• Loss of factory-applied slip-resistant finishes
  
• Surface smoothening from foot traffic and cleaning machines

Vinyl flooring may no longer meet safety standards for slip resistance, even if it appears to be in good condition. This makes regular assessment essential, particularly in high-risk areas such as bathrooms, dining rooms, corridors, and entryways.

Facility managers should note that visual inspection alone is not a reliable indicator of floor safety. Slip resistance should be measured using recognised testing methods as outlined in AS 4586 and AS 4663.

How Worn Vinyl Impacts Elderly Safety

Vinyl flooring gets smoother and more dangerous as it ages, especially when it's wet. For elderly residents, this change significantly increases the risk of slips and falls.

Age-related factors that amplify this risk include:

• Reduced balance and slower reaction times
  
• Decreased muscle strength
  
• Mobility aids such as walkers or wheelchairs
  
• Cognitive impairment affecting hazard awareness

When slip resistance falls below acceptable levels, even routine activities like walking to the bathroom or dining area can result in serious injury. 

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), falls are one of the leading causes of hospitalisation in older Australians, and aged care facilities are under increasing pressure to demonstrate proactive risk management.

Interestingly, cleaning worn vinyl is also challenging. Cleaning agent residue may further reduce friction, resulting in a vicious cycle where more cleaning actually increases slip risk rather than reduces it.

Further Reading: How to Make Bathrooms Safe for Elderly Parents

What Is the Safest Flooring for the Elderly?

The safest flooring for elderly residents is not defined solely by material. True safety depends on slip resistance compliance, particularly in wet and high-traffic areas.

Key characteristics of safe flooring for aged care facilities include:

• Certified slip resistance ratings
  
• Reliable performance in wet conditions
  
• Durability under constant foot traffic
  
• Ease of maintenance without compromising safety

Slip resistance is measured using the Pendulum Test, which assigns a P-rating from P0 to P5. In aged care facilities, many areas such as bathrooms, ramps, and entry points require a P4 or P5 rating to meet safety and compliance standards.

With these requirements in mind, some flooring materials have proven to be both safe and practical for elderly bathrooms. These include rubber flooring, non-slip bathroom tiles, and non-slip vinyl tiles.

• Rubber flooring offers strong slip resistance along with cushioning that can help reduce the severity of injuries from falls. 
  
• Non-slip bathroom tiles have textured or coated surfaces that improve grip in wet conditions.
  
• Non-slip vinyl tiles are a water-resistant, slightly cushioned, and affordable option that is easy to maintain.

All three materials are also durable enough to withstand frequent cleaning and exposure to moisture. 

Overall, choosing the right flooring improves safety, comfort, and independence for elderly users. However, even flooring that was originally compliant can become unsafe over time. Hence, ongoing slip resistance testing and proactive maintenance are essential for aged care operators to meet their duty of care obligations.

Non-Slip Coatings: The Best Alternative to Replacing Worn Vinyl Floors

High Cost of Flooring Replacement

Replacing vinyl flooring in an aged care facility is disruptive, expensive, and time-consuming. Full replacement typically involves:

• Removal and disposal of existing flooring
  
• Subfloor preparation
  
• New material and installation costs
  
• Temporary room closures or resident relocation

In large facilities, flooring replacement projects can quickly escalate into six-figure expenses and often disrupt daily operations and resident routines.

Benefits of Using Non-Slip Coatings

Non-slip coatings offer a cost-effective alternative that restores slip resistance without replacing the existing vinyl floor. These treatments are applied directly to the surface and are designed to improve traction while preserving the original appearance.

Key benefits include:

• Significantly lower cost than replacement
  
• Minimal disruption to residents and staff
  
• Rapid application and curing times
  
• Long-lasting slip resistance performance

For facility managers, this makes non-slip coatings an attractive option for extending the life of existing vinyl floors while addressing safety concerns.

Maintaining Slip Resistance Compliance

A key advantage of non-slip coatings is how they help facilities maintain ongoing slip-resistance compliance. When professionally applied, premium coatings can restore existing floors to slip ratings compliant with Australian Standards.

To verify performance in real-world conditions, Stellmann's non-slip treatments are independently tested in accordance with AS 4663. This testing provides documented evidence of compliance, which is critical during audits, incident investigations, and regulatory reviews.

Further Reading: The Complete Guide to Slip Resistance Compliance for Commercial Facilities

FAQs

Q1: Is Vinyl Flooring Safe for Aged Care Facilities?

Answer:

Yes, vinyl flooring for aged care facilities is safe, provided it continues to meet slip-resistance requirements. Wear, polishing, and frequent cleaning can reduce traction over time, so regular assessment and slip testing are essential.

Q2: Do Aged Care Facilities Need to Replace Worn Vinyl Flooring?

Answer:

Not always. If the vinyl flooring and subfloor remain structurally sound, a certified non-slip coating can restore traction, improving safety. Coatings are also more cost-effective and less disruptive than full replacement.

Q3: How can Aged Care Facilities Maintain Slip Resistance Compliance?

Answer:

Facilities can maintain compliance by using certified non-slip coatings, conducting regular slip testing, and keeping clear documentation to support audits and incident reviews.

Conclusion

Vinyl flooring for aged care facilities is a safe and practical option, but only when slip resistance is actively maintained. As vinyl surfaces wear out, traction reduces, increasing the risk of slips and falls — particularly for vulnerable, elderly residents.

Rather than relying on appearance alone, facility managers should prioritise slip-resistance testing and compliance in line with Australian Standards. In most cases, you can restore the slip resistance of vinyl floors with premium non-slip coatings.