Anti-slip coatings for construction

August 18, 2025 6 min read

Non-slip construction coatings - We tell you everything you need to know.

Non-slip in structural engineering

Non-slip coatings are used in almost all areas of the construction industry, as they contribute decisively to the safety of workers and the eventual users. The areas of application vary depending on the specific risks and stresses of the respective trade.

Structural Engineering (Building Construction)

In structural engineering, non-slip coatings are primarily used on unfinished surfaces and in maintenance areas.

Stairs and ramps: On structural concrete stairs or temporary ramps used during the construction phase.
Roof and maintenance areas: On flat roofs, roof terraces, or access points to maintenance areas where there is a risk from algae, moss, or moisture.
Balconies and terraces: Before the final floor sealing is applied, non-slip coatings can be used as temporary protection or as a permanent solution.
Air shafts and ladders: On the treads of access points to technical systems and shafts.

The application of non-slip coatings in structural engineering is not limited to the construction phase. In completed buildings, they are a crucial element for safety, aesthetics, and hygiene, as they permanently minimize the risk of slipping in heavily frequented or wet areas.

Here are further use cases in different building types:

Office buildings and public facilities

In office buildings and administrative facilities, the safety of employees and visitors is the top priority.

Entrance halls and foyers: Here, the floor is often smooth (e.g., marble, granite) and becomes extremely slippery in rain, snow, or ice. A transparent non-slip coating protects visitors from falls without compromising the representative appearance.
Kitchens and cafeterias: In industrial kitchens and canteens, the risk of slipping arises from spilled liquids, fats, and food residues. A 2-component epoxy resin coating with a high R-class offers not only safety here but is also chemically resistant and easy to clean.
Stairwells: Stairs are one of the main sources of fall accidents. A durable coating on the steps provides reliable slip resistance for all users.

Clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes

In healthcare facilities, hygiene and safety are of the utmost importance.

Operating theaters and laboratories: Floors here are exposed to chemical stresses and must have a seamless, sterile surface. A non-slip coating must additionally be resistant to disinfectants and easy to clean to comply with hygiene regulations.
Patient areas and corridors: The floor must be safe even when wet (e.g., due to spilled liquids). A non-slip coating with a low displacement space (V-class) ensures stability without hindering the rolling of beds or wheelchairs.
Therapy areas and kitchens: In therapy and kitchen areas, the risk of slipping is particularly high. Here, certified coatings of class R13 are often used.

Hotels, spas, and thermal baths

In these areas, non-slip solutions must perfectly combine aesthetics and function.

Pool and sauna areas: The environment is permanently wet and exposed to chlorine or salt water. A transparent non-slip coating is the ideal solution here. It protects guests from falls on tiles and natural stone floors without disturbing the design of the wellness area.
Shower and changing rooms: The floor here is permanently damp. An easy-to-clean, non-slip, and antibacterial coating ensures safety and hygiene.

Parking garages and underground parking

Here, the floors are exposed to extreme mechanical and chemical stresses.

Driveways and ramps: The floors must withstand constant traffic, high wheel loads, and the influence of oil, gasoline, and road salt. A 2-component epoxy resin-based non-slip coating is indispensable here, as it is extremely wear-resistant and chemically resistant.
Pedestrian walkways and stairwells: Specially marked, non-slip paths and stairs ensure the safety of pedestrians. Here, the coating can be color-coded from the floor covering to facilitate orientation.

Non-slip in other areas of the construction industry

In addition to these use cases, non-slip coatings are used in many other construction projects. Here are a few examples

Civil engineering (Underground construction)

In civil engineering, surfaces are often wet, muddy, or uneven. Non-slip coatings ensure safety on temporary paths here.

Excavations and trenches: On access ladders and temporary paths around excavations, which are often soiled with mud and earth.
Manhole covers: On the surfaces of manhole covers, which can become very slippery when wet.
Construction roads: On temporary construction roads or access routes that are exposed to the weather and pose a high risk of slipping.

Bridge construction

Bridges are permanently exposed to the weather and require particularly durable and resilient solutions.

Maintenance walkways: On maintenance catwalks beneath the bridge deck, where inspection and repair work are carried out.
Access ladders: On ascent ladders and stairs to bridge piers or maintenance platforms.
Bicycle and footpaths: On the sidewalks and bike paths of bridges to ensure year-round slip resistance.

Road construction

In road construction, non-slip coatings are used on all surfaces that are used by pedestrians or vehicles and exhibit an increased risk of slipping.

Sidewalks and bike paths: Especially on inclines or in curves, to minimize the risk of slipping due to moisture and leaves.
Bus stops and bus bays: Here, surfaces are exposed to heavy abrasion and can be contaminated by liquids.
Intersections and roundabouts: Special non-slip markings can increase safety on heavily used lanes.

Tunnel construction

In tunnel construction, conditions are often damp, dark, and dirty.

Emergency paths and escape tunnels: The floors of escape routes and emergency tunnels must offer reliable slip resistance even when damp.
Maintenance access: On access ladders and platforms to ventilation and fire protection systems.
Maintenance strips: Special areas for maintenance work in tunnels that are equipped with anti-slip and chemically resistant coatings.

Choosing the right non-slip coating in the construction industry - What is important?

In the construction industry, choosing the right non-slip coating is a complex decision that goes far beyond pure slip resistance. The surface to be coated in this environment is often exposed to extreme stresses that put the functionality and safety of the coating to the test over the years.

To make the right choice, a careful consideration of function, material, and aesthetics is required.

The decisive role of mechanical and chemical stresses

The biggest challenge in the construction industry is the mechanical and chemical stresses. The non-slip coating must permanently withstand these influences to ensure safety. A precise analysis of these stresses is the first and most important step.

Mechanical stresses

Low stress: Areas mainly frequented by pedestrians, such as office rooms on the construction site or internal basement stairs.
Medium stress: Areas where work is occasionally performed with pallet trucks, hand trucks, or lighter tools, such as in storage rooms or small workshops.
High stress: This concerns surfaces that are regularly traversed by heavy loads, forklifts, construction machinery, or trucks. Examples include loading ramps, industrial floors in production halls, or parking decks. The coating must be extremely abrasion and impact-resistant here so as not to wear down.

Chemical stresses

Low stress: Areas that only come into contact with water and mild cleaning agents.
Medium stress: Areas that occasionally come into contact with coolants, oils, or fats.
High stress: This concerns industrial environments where the coating is permanently in contact with aggressive chemicals such as acids, alkalis, fuels, or solvents. The chemical resistance of the coating must be proven here.

The role of the material

The coating material must be capable of handling the identified stresses.

1-component coatings: These are easy to apply and are suitable for surfaces with low stress. However, they are not suitable for professional use under high mechanical or chemical stress, as they are less resistant.
2-component coatings: They are the professional choice for the construction industry. They consist of a base coat and a hardener. After mixing, a chemical reaction occurs that creates an extremely hard, abrasion-resistant, and chemically resistant surface.
Epoxy resin base: Offers excellent resistance to chemicals and mechanical wear. It is the preferred choice for industrial floors.
Polyurethane base: Often more flexible than epoxy resin and more resistant to UV radiation, which makes it a good choice for outdoor areas such as loading ramps or terraces.
Slip resistance class: The material must be certified according to DIN 51130 and meet the R-class (e.g., R13) prescribed for the respective location.

The role of aesthetic aspects

Aesthetic aspects play an increasingly important role in commercial and industrial environments.

Functional aesthetics: Bright, clean floors improve the working environment and contribute to safety, as hazards and impurities are better visible.
Corporate Identity: Choosing the right color can help strengthen the company's corporate identity.
Professionalism: A well-maintained and clean floor conveys professionalism and trust to customers and business partners.

In summary, choosing a non-slip coating in the construction industry is a holistic decision. It is based not only on slip resistance but above all on a careful analysis of the mechanical and chemical stresses that act over the entire service life of the coating.