Let’s Talk About Anti-Slip: Because Gravity Always Wins

Here’s the thing. Nobody ever plans to eat it walking across their garage, but if you’ve ever stepped onto a freshly snow-covered boot on smooth concrete, you know how fast gravity can humble you.

That’s where anti-slip additives come in. Whether you’re coating your garage, a loading dock, or your backyard brewery setup, knowing how to dial in the right texture is the difference between a floor that’s safe and one that’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.

What Is “Anti-Slip” Really?

People ask all the time, “Can you make it non-slip?”
Yes. Sort of.

There’s no such thing as slip-proof (especially when your boots are soaked, you’ve got rock salt crusted to your soles, and you’re juggling groceries). But we can absolutely make the surface a lot more grippy, which is what matters.

We do this by adding texture to the top layer of your coating. It gives your shoes or tires something to bite into, even when things get wet or oily.

Types of Anti-Slip Additives (a.k.a. Grit for Grown-Ups)

There’s more than one way to make a floor grippy. The additive we choose depends on where the coating is going and what kind of abuse it’s going to take.

Here are the usual suspects:

Aluminum Oxide – Industrial-grade. Super durable. Great for warehouses, workshops, and anywhere safety trumps looks. Feels gritty, like sandpaper.
Polypropylene Beads – A bit more subtle. Still effective, but easier on bare feet or knees. Good for homes, rec areas, and commercial spaces.
Glass Beads – These come up a lot. They reflect light, add traction, and look amazing when topcoated right. Great for epoxy flake floors in garages or showrooms.
Quartz – Full broadcast quartz systems give crazy grip. Especially with Torginol systems. We use this when someone says, “I want it bulletproof,” or when forklifts and oil are part of the daily routine. We can also use quartz in less aggressive environments when style and safety need to be top priority.

When to Add the Grit (and Why the Topcoat Matters)

This is where people often get it wrong. You don’t just toss grit into the first coat and call it a day.

For proper anti-slip performance:

We typically broadcast into a sandwich coat just before the final clear or into the topcoat depending on the circumstances.
You want the additive close to the surface where it can actually do its job.
If it’s buried too deep, the coating will feel smooth — and smooth doesn’t stop slips.

What About Coefficients?

We won’t bore you with lab numbers, but here’s the gist:
We aim for a dry and wet slip resistance rating that falls within or above OSHA’s recommended .50–.60. The exact number depends on the product system and the additive.

For example, a polyaspartic topcoat over full quartz broadcast will usually outperform a flake floor with fine polymer beads. Both are solid, but one’s built for serious grip while the other’s more comfort and appearance-oriented.

Limitations: Nothing is Slippery-Proof

Even the best anti-slip surface won’t save you if:

You walk in with snow-packed boots and sprint across the garage
There’s oil pooling under your car
You’re running with socks on polished polyaspartic (don’t do that)

It’s about risk reduction, not elimination. We’ve seen everything from tire shops to fire stations benefit from heavy-grit coatings, but the laws of physics still apply.

So, What’s Right for You?

Garage? Glass beads (or quartz if style is important) in sandwich coat. Looks clean, grips when it matters.
Workshop or warehouse? Aluminum oxide, broadcast with love.
Pool area or bare feet zone? Fine polypropylene with a light touch.
Hardcore commercial? Quartz broadcast system, full build.

If you’re not sure what’s best, we’ll walk you through it and we won’t oversell. Sometimes you need a tank, sometimes you just need sneakers.

Bottom Line

Anti-slip isn’t just a feature, it’s a mindset. And when it’s done right, your floor will work for you, not against you. If you’ve got a slippery space or just want to make sure your floor is up to the task, give us a shout. We’ll help you find the balance between looks, safety, and durability, without overcomplicating it.

Because nobody wants to go viral for slipping in their own garage.