Slip Protection For Painted Floors     

In recent years, Australian tile trends have shifted towards warmth, colour, and personality, with painted tiles and floors becoming a popular feature in home renovations. However, while painted surfaces bring life to residential spaces, slip resistance remains a concern.

Since falls account for about 43% of hospitalisations, homeowners often wonder how slip protection works with painted floors. Can anti-slip coating be applied over painted tiles without damaging the finish?

Fortunately, clear anti-slip coatings like Stellmann's CSIRO-certified penetrating coating provide a practical solution, improving traction while remaining compatible with many painted residential surfaces. 

This article explains how anti-slip coatings for tiles work, which painted surfaces need them, and what homeowners should know before installing a coating.

Key Takeaways 

• Anti-slip coatings can be applied directly over painted tiles and floors, as long as the paint is clean and well bonded to the underlying surface
• Penetrating coatings are best for this, as they bond to the surface matrix, providing deep-seated slip resistance
• Residential surfaces such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and outdoor floors can be treated with the coating
• Stellmann offers penetrating CSIRO-certified anti-slip coatings and a comprehensive one-visit installation process

Does Anti-Slip Coating Stick to Painted Tiles or Floors? 

Anti-slip coatings can be applied to many surfaces, including painted tiles and floors. Modern anti-slip solutions are designed to work with a wide range of residential materials, improving home safety while maintaining surface quality. A good example is a penetrating anti-slip coating, which works differently from traditional surface coatings. 

Instead of forming a layer that sits on top of the floor, penetrating coatings bond into the microscopic pores of the floor surface. This allows them to create traction on painted surfaces, improving slip resistance. 

Another advantage of penetrating anti-slip coatings is that they typically do not require acid etching before application, making the process easier on the flooring and avoiding harsh chemical treatments. In most cases, mere cleaning and drying of the surface is enough for coating application.

The condition of the paint is also important. For the coating to adhere properly to the tile, the paint must already be well bonded to the underlying surface. If the paint is bubbling, peeling, or flaking, the affected areas must be repaired before coating to ensure long-lasting performance.

Further Reading: How To Make Floors Non-Slip Without Replacing Them

Which Painted Surfaces Around the Home Can Be Treated? 

Anti-slip coatings improve safety in the home by reducing the risk of slips and falls. Painted surfaces where these coatings are most used include painted bathroom tiles, laundry tiles, outdoor concrete or decking, terracotta or ceramic tiles, and garage floor slabs, each with unique conditions that make slip resistance a necessary feature. 

Source

Painted Bathroom Tiles

Bathrooms are consistently wet due to water from showers, baths, and sinks. Paint also creates a smooth surface that is extremely slippery when wet. 

Anti-slip coating for painted bathroom tiles will fix slippery bathroom tiles, increasing grip on soapy floors.

Painted Laundry Tiles

Laundry rooms often experience water spills and detergent residue on the floors, conditions that can make painted tiles slippery. Applying an anti-slip coating provides additional grip, making the space safer to use. 

Painted Outdoor Concrete or Decking

Patios, walkways, verandas, and pool surrounds are regularly exposed to moisture from rain and pools. Treating with non-slip coating for painted decking and outdoor surfaces helps reduce slip hazards and maintain the original finish. 

Painted Terracotta or Ceramic Tiles

Terracotta and ceramic tiles are often repainted during renovations to refresh their look. However, repainting can make them smoother and more slippery. Anti-slip coatings restore friction to the floors while preserving the updated look and even protecting the new paint from damage. 

Painted Garage Floor Slabs

Garage floor slabs are frequently exposed to vehicular traffic, oil, dust, and water. These conditions make the floors slick. Anti-slip coatings improve grip, making movement by humans and vehicles in the garage safer.

What Preparation Is Required Before Application?

We've established that painted floors can quickly become very slippery, and applying anti-slip coatings on existing paint helps prevent falls. Furthermore, using a penetrating coating ensures that the slip-resistance feature is integrated into the surface, making it even more durable. 

However, proper preparation of these floors for coating application is essential to ensure optimum performance of anti-slip coatings. This is how you prepare your painted floors for anti-slip coatings.

Surface Inspection

Surface inspection is performed to ensure the surface is in peak condition before coating application. The painted floor or tile is assessed for signs of damage, such as peeling or bubbling paint. Affected areas are noted and fixed before coating. 

Slip Testing 

A slip test and subsequent analysis of the results help the installer recommend an appropriate slip rating for that area. Slip testing measures the current slip resistance of a flooring surface, whether wet or dry. The Wet Pendulum Test is commonly used in frequently wet areas, such as those discussed above. 

Deep Cleaning 

Before applying the coating, the floor is deep-cleaned to remove residue, oil, and other contaminants that may affect adhesion. Although preparation is simpler with a penetrating coating since there's no need for acid etching, the deep-cleaning step is non-negotiable.

While DIY applications can be fun, professional installations such as Stellmann's complete all these steps in a single visit, making the process both efficient and time-effective for homeowners. 

Will It Pass a Slip Test in Wet Areas? 

When installing anti-slip coatings on painted tiles or floors, an important consideration is whether the coated surface will pass a slip test in wet conditions. The Wet Pendulum Test, commonly used to measure slip resistance in wet areas, determines whether a floor meets required safety ratings after treatment. 

For residential spaces such as bathrooms and laundry rooms, a P3-P4 rating is typically required, while P5 is recommended for high-risk areas such as pool surrounds. 

Using Stellmann's CSIRO-certified anti-slip coatings is a guaranteed way to achieve these slip ratings, as they meet AS 4663 wet area requirements for residential flooring, and are accompanied by a written slip test certificate after installation. 

Further Reading: P3, P4, P5 Slip Ratings Explained

Professional vs DIY Anti-Slip Treatment Over Paint

The table below outlines these differences in process, preparation, and expected results.

DIY anti-slip coatings appeal to many property owners because they're cheaper and convenient to apply without professional help. However, results can vary depending on the product you use and the level of surface preparation. 

For homes with NDIS residents or other environments where compliance is essential, professionally applied treatments often provide more durability and documented safety performance.

Further Reading: The Best NDIS Anti-Slip Home Modifications 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Do I need to strip paint before applying anti-slip coating?

No, you don't. Stellmann assesses the surface first, and if the paint is not flaking, the coating can be applied directly.

2. Will anti-slip coating change the colour of my painted tiles?

Stellmann's anti-slip coating is transparent, so it will not alter the colour of painted tiles.

3. How long does anti-slip coating last on painted surfaces?

Anti-slip coatings typically last 3-5 years for most residential areas, depending on traffic and cleaning practices.

4. Does NDIS cover anti-slip treatment?

Yes, NDIS funding covers anti-slip treatments for eligible participants. Stellmann is an experienced NDIS provider offering home safety solutions since 2019.

Apply a Non-Slip Coating Over Existing Paint

Anti-slip coatings pose an effective solution for the increased slipperiness of painted tiles and floors. When applied correctly, they improve slip resistance while preserving the paint's fresh look, making them a must for your next home renovation. 

At Stellmann, we offer a CSIRO-certified anti-slip coating that provides a clear, slip-resistant finish and meets AS 4663 standards for residential wet areas. Our quick installation process also ensures you're guided through every step. 

Want to learn more about our offerings? Book a free home assessment to confirm surface compatibility today.