Anti-Slip Tile Treatment: DIY kits vs. Professional Coating vs. Retiling

Looking for a Solution for Slippery Tiles?

After a few near slip-and-fall incidents, you realise your floors need anti-slip tile treatment to keep pedestrians safe. The question is: do you need a DIY kit, professional coating, or a new floor?

Much as we'd love to make it that simple, the answer isn't just about budgets. It's more important to identify your specific risks and choose a solution that addresses them.

In this guide, we compare DIY kits vs. professional coating vs. floor replacement across risk factors, cost, lifespan, and compliance to help you choose the best anti-slip treatment for your tiles.

Key Takeaways

• DIY kits are ideal for small, residential areas
• Professional coating installations last long and support regulatory compliance
• Tile replacement is the most expensive and invasive option
• The right anti-slip tile treatment should address your specific risk factors

How to Choose the Right Anti-Slip Tile Treatment

A fall at home might mean medical bills, but a fall in the workplace can incur steep liability costs for the business. Both have different degrees of consequences, so they rarely call for the same fix.  

Before choosing your anti-slip tile treatment, define what's at stake for the area.

Questions to Ask

1. Does this floor need to prove its slip resistance?

To demonstrate slip resistance compliance to regulators or insurers, you need documented evidence of your floor's slip resistance. HB 198:2014 provides relevant guidance, and poor adherence can breach WHS/OHS duties in workplaces.

Regulators may issue improvement notices or restrictions on unsafe activities to secure compliance.

2. If someone slips here, who is liable?

It's easier to manage the consequences of a fall at home than the potential liability in a business facility. The median compensation paid for serious workplace claims involving falls, trips and slips in Australia is $17,800.

In commercial facilities, precise results and verified slip ratings matter more.

3. What is the condition and material of the floor?

If your floor is in poor condition, anti-slip treatment may require professional surface preparation, such as deep cleaning, degreasing, mechanical grinding, or crack repair, for better results. 

Material matters too: dense, polished, or glazed surfaces may need specific preparation to help coatings adhere properly.

4. How long does the solution need to last?

Anti-slip treatments vary in lifespan, so consider how long you need protection and the cost of repeat applications. One treatment may be cheap but wear quickly, while another costs more but lasts for years.

Choose an anti-slip treatment that offers the durability your floor requires.

5. What level of safety does the environment require?

Your environment determines the P-rating you need. Some areas need anti-slip treatment that isn't too rough for barefoot walking. Others need solutions that can withstand sunlight, deep cleaning, or heavy traffic.

The HB 198:2014 recommends P3 for many commercial, hospital, and aged-care bathroom areas; P4 for pool surrounds, and P5 for commercial kitchens.

Further Reading: Slip Testing in Restaurants

Comparison: DIY kits vs Professional Coating vs Tile Replacement

1. DIY Kits

A DIY treatment involves using retail materials like coatings or etching solutions to fix slippery floors yourself. Some DIY anti-slip solutions, like Stellmann's, come with applicators and a guide to help you finish in under 60 minutes.

However, DIY applications may wear off faster because you don't diagnose underlying floor issues or perform expert surface prep. Also, an etching solution can discolor dark porcelain or leave a patchy finish.

DIY anti-slip solutions are ideal for small areas with old tiles or light foot traffic. For high-traffic areas, or anywhere you may need to prove compliance later, we recommend professional installation. 

Further Reading: How to Apply Stellmann Non-Slip Coatings

2. Professional Non-Slip Coating Installation

For this, you hire professionals to install non-slip coatings tested to AS 4586 by independent slip testing providers. Experts provide surface prep, consistent application, and, where required, slip-resistance documentation.

Clear anti-slip coatings can last 3- 6 years when applied professionally. They also work on a wide range of surfaces, including natural stone, porcelain tile, concrete, hardwood, vinyl, epoxy, and glass, without yellowing or changing their design.

Professional installation is ideal for commercial and high-risk environments where NCC requirements, WHS duties, or other applicable standards require slip resistance. If a slip-and-fall incident occurs, documented results can help show that you took reasonable steps to manage the risk.

Further Reading: Slip Resistance Compliance in Commercial Facilities 

3. Full Tile Replacement

Retiling involves removing old tiles and laying new, slip-resistant tiles. It works, but between removal, disposal, sourcing, and installation, it's a really expensive solution. 

It's only necessary to opt for retiling when your tiles are failing. Floor replacements are invasive and can halt business operations for days to weeks, depending on the area's size. Here's what failing tiles look like:

• Cracked, loose, or structurally compromised tiles
• Water damage or floor issues beneath the tiles
• Tiles worn to the point where coating can't adhere properly
• Personal or aesthetic preferences

Finally, even new tiles will wear and lose traction over time. Retiling is not a permanent escape from slippery floors.

Further Reading: Top alternative to ripping out worn tiles

Side-by-Side Comparison

Compare solutions directly, and if non-slip treatment cost is a concern, we have numbers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing DIY where you need compliance. Saving money upfront can leave you without documentation to prove duty of care after an incident.

Coating damaged or failing tiles. A non-slip tile coating improves slip resistance but won't fix cracked, loose, or structurally compromised tiles.

Replacing a floor that just needs coating. Professional coating treatment can save costs with minimal disruption compared to ripping out worn tiles.

Choosing the cheapest option. A cheap quote may mean no proper surface preparation or proof of compliance.

Stellmann: Certified Non-slip Installers

Stellmann offers EU-made, CSIRO-certified anti-slip coatings engineered for long-term wear and slip resistance. You can purchase coatings for DIY treatments or get certified installation. 

Our anti-slip treatment solution is safe for NDIS, aged care, hospitality, food, education, and retail facilities. We help you achieve P3-P5 slip ratings based on the AS 4663 requirement for your space or facility.

Case Study

ANZ facility floors after non-slip treatment 

We handled a large project at ANZ's headquarters. They required P3 slip ratings for over 4,000 m² of premium floors across bathrooms, corridors, and other high-traffic areas. 

Working with certified installers, we applied the Non-Slip Clear PRO across multiple floor types, improving slip resistance with minimal disruption to their daily operations and no surface damage. 

If you want the same results for your property, we can help you find the right coating.

Final Thoughts

You need an anti-slip tile treatment that matches the risk, condition, and requirements of your floor.

DIY kits are practical for small, low-stakes areas, and replacement should be reserved for failing tiles. However, professional coating is ideal for pool areas, aged care facilities, and other spaces where a floor needs to maintain its appearance or meet defensible compliance requirements.

Are you unsure which category your floor fits into? Take our free Find My Coating quiz to identify the right solution for your floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does non-slip coating damage existing tiles?

No, a professional non-slip coating will not damage existing tiles. Unlike acid-etching that roughens the floor itself, Stellmann's clear non-slip coatings provide a textured layer that improves grip.

2. What is the best anti-slip treatment for outdoor tiles?

Certified anti-slip coatings like Stellmann's Non-Slip Clear PRO are ideal for outdoor tiles because they offer UV and water resistance with certified P4 and P5 slip ratings. For best results, use a professional installer.

3. Is anti-slip floor treatment worth the cost? 

Yes, if you choose a treatment that matches your needs. A slip-resistant, compliant floor can help keep occupants safe from injury while protecting your facility from liability.

4. What slip rating do I need?

The HB 198:2014 recommends minimum P-ratings for different locations. Wet indoor areas like bathrooms require at least P3, while outdoor and industrial areas need P4 or more in high-risk zones.