What Is Anti-Slip Floor Coating? 

Anti-slip floor coatings reduce the risk of falls by increasing traction on floors. They are an essential part of home slip prevention, especially in high-traffic areas exposed to moisture and grease, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and patios. 

The common types of anti-slip floor coatings include: 

• Epoxy: Strong, durable, and sometimes blended with thermoplastics for a granite-like finish.
• Polyurethane Topcoats: Liquid coatings resistant to abrasion and solvents. 

The best choice depends on durability, surface compatibility, ease of use, and slip-resistance rating. This article explores some of the top DIY options for home use. 

Key Takeaways 

• Anti-slip coatings enhance grip in high-risk areas, such as bathrooms. 
  
• There are several DIY-friendly coating types 
  
• A DIY application is cheaper but often less durable 
  
• Professional installation guarantees longer-lasting results and compliance 

Top 5 DIY Anti-Slip Coating Options  

DIY anti-slip coatings are designed for easy, at-home application. From Stellmann's to Slip Doctors, here are five options worth considering. 

1. Stellmann Non-Slip Coatings 

Stellman offers CSIRO-certified non-slip coatings compatible with timber, concrete, and tile surfaces. Its coatings are water-based, polyurethane formulations available in three different slip ratings: P3, P4, and P5 tested to Australian Standard AS 4586. 

Stellmann's non-slip coatings are available in both clear and coloured options. The clear coatings are transparent, providing slip resistance with an invisible finish that does not alter the original appearance of flooring. Alternately, the colored floor coatings add a dash of colour to your home.  

Both coating variants are environmentally friendly, DIY-friendly, and easily applied using a roller. You mix Parts A and B and apply the mixture to the flooring within 45 minutes.  

Pros 

• Does not damage surfaces. 
  
• Long-lasting finish. 
  
• Ideal for residential and commercial applications.  
  
• Available in different CSIRO-certified ratings.  
  
• Suitable for DIY or professional installation. 
  
• 4.9-star Google rating 

Cons  

• It requires mixing.  

2. Haymes Easy Floor Non-Slip Finish 

Source 

Manufactured by Haymes Paint, the Easy Floor non-slip finish is an oil-based, premixed coating is specifically designed for use on timber floors (stairs, landings, and walkways). It only comes in a clear finish and is specifically for interior use. 

The Easy Floor Non-Slip Finish is typically applied as a final coat using a brush or roller. It dries to the touch within 6 hours and cures fully in 16.  

The anti-slip finish is designed as part of an integrated application system, and performs better when used together with the manufacturer's satin base. Before application, surface preparation involves filling all cracks with wood putty from the same brand and thoroughly sanding the floor. 

Pros 

• Pre-mixed. 
  
• Provides P4-certified slip-resistance.  
  
• Easy to clean. 

Cons  

• It must be applied over Haymes Easy Floor Satin Finish. 
  
• Alkyd-based; not very environmentally friendly 
  
• Only compatible with timber surfaces 

3. Epirez Safe Step 100 

Source 

Safe Step 100 is an epoxy ester anti-slip coating designed for high-traffic areas of the home, such as stairways, platforms, balconies, ramps, and decks. It has an anti-slip rating of up to R13 as per AS 4586, making it suitable for wet areas, such as pool surrounds. 

Safe Step 100 is compatible with these specific surface types: wood, concrete, asphalt, and metal. It is only available in colored finishes, not as a clear coating. 

Although it is a DIY-friendly single-pack product, and can be easily applied using a roller, protective equipment such as gloves, googles, and a respirator are highly recommended during application. The cure time is 12 hours at 20°C for light-traffic areas and 72 hours at the same temperature for heavy-traffic areas. 

Pros 

• Easy to clean using neutral detergent and water.  
  
• Available in 4 distinct colours. 

Cons  

• It requires occasional touch-ups, especially in heavy traffic areas.  
  
• The application requires surface roughening and sealing 

4. Tredgrip Rubberised Non-Slip Coating  

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Tredgrip is a single-pack, water-based anti-slip coating suitable for domestic applications. It is weather-resistant and compatible with various surfaces, including timber, fibreglass, aluminium, concrete, and steel. 

The product is available in 12 natural colors with no clear variants and provides a slip rating of up to R10 according to AS4586.  

Once cured, it has a flexible textured finish that earns it the "rubberised" title, allowing it to expand and fill cracks in the flooring it covers. However, because of this flexibility, it is only suitable for areas with light to medium foot traffic. 

Pros 

• Extensive colour range. 
  
• Lifespan of over five years 
  
• Great abrasion resistance. 
  
• Eco friendly 

Cons  

• It is unsuitable for heavy-duty traffic areas.  

5. Slip Doctors Tuff Grip 

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Tuff Grip is a strong, water-based urethane paint coating that produces an aggressive, textured finish on various surfaces, including painted concrete, steel, stone, fiberglass, metal, and wood. It is highly resistant to harsh weather conditions, making it suitable for outdoor areas, such as driveways and loading docks.  

Designed for user-friendliness, this anti-slip paint coating allows quick, simple installation without professional help. It comes in a range of colors, and custom colors can be produced on request. 

Slip Doctors also offers a Tuff Grip Extreme non-slip coating upgrade option, which provides UV protection benefits, a quicker curing time, and increased resistance to chemicals.  

Pros 

• It has an upgrade option.  
  
• Compatible with many surfaces.  
  
• It is very durable.  

Cons  

• Textured finish makes it too rough for some indoor applications  
  
• The gritty surface may be unsuitable for high-end aesthetics.

DIY Vs Professional Application  

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Although the options listed above are DIY-friendly, and some providers like Stellmann offer dedicated DIY kits for their non-slip coatings, there are notable differences between a DIY application and a professional installation. The table below outlines these differences in process, preparation, and expected results. 

If you're unable to commit to a DIY process, you can opt for professional installation services and connect with a certified applicator. These installers follow CSIRO-compliant methods, work across various surface types, and typically complete coatings within a day.  

You can request a quote before any work begins. 

Further reading: Slip Ratings Explained 

FAQs  

Q. How long does it take for anti-slip floor coatings to dry?  

Answer: 

While most coatings dry to the touch within 12 hours, full curing is required for actual foot traffic, and that takes 24-48 hours. 

Q. What do the P3, P4, and P5 ratings mean? 

Answer:  

The ratings indicate the level of slip prevention provided by a coating under wet conditions. P3, P4, and P5 stand for moderate, high, and very high slip resistance, respectively. 

Conclusion  

Slip-prevention treatments create safer homes, especially for children, older adults, and anyone at risk of falls. Choosing the right DIY-friendly coating is a critical step in effective home slip prevention. 

Comparing multiple brands helps you select a product that matches your budget, skill level, and safety needs. If you prefer a guaranteed finish or require compliance documentation, certified installation services are also available across most brands.