In brief: decoration is not slip resistance

Colour flakes, glass beads and sealers are often discussed together, which can create false expectations. Colour flakes change the appearance. Glass beads are intended to increase grip. A clear sealer protects and closes the surface but may alter its texture, depending on the system and coat thickness.

If the garage, balcony, stairs, ramp or workshop will be wet or heavily used, slip resistance should be planned before application. Not every smooth surface can be saved elegantly afterwards.

When does a floor coating become slippery?

A smooth 2K epoxy surface can work well when dry and still appear too smooth when wet. This particularly applies to garages in winter, balconies, terraces, outside stairs, ramps, basement entrances and workshops.

Slip hazards include:

  • Water, rain or dew.
  • Oil, grease or cleaning agents.
  • Smooth-soled footwear or tyres.
  • A very smooth final seal.
  • Too little structure in the coating.
  • expecting colour flakes alone to provide slip resistance.

The more wet, inclined or trafficked a surface is, the more slip resistance should be planned for.

Glass beads: the targeted anti-slip solution

Anti-slip glass beads are a transparent additive for 1K and 2K floor paint. They can be mixed into the floor paint or sprinkled into the still wet coating. The grain size is 0.3 to 0.5 mm. Depending on the dosage, slip resistance R9 to R10 is possible.

For R9 to R10, approx. 50 to 60 g/m² is recommended. For a lighter structure, approx. 20 to 30 g/m² is sufficient. The glass beads are transparent and change the appearance less than coarse scatterings.

They suit garages, workshops, balconies, stairs, ramps, storage areas and heavily used floors. The advantage lies in the clear function: the surface has structure.

Colour chips: appearance and light structure

Colour chips are decorative colour flakes for sprinkling into wet epoxy, PU and acrylate floor coatings. They create a multi-coloured surface, can visually conceal small unevenness and support slip resistance.

The dosage controls the appearance:

  • approx. 50 g/m² for a light effect.
  • approx. 100 g/m² for greater dispersion.
  • approx. 200 g/m² for dense design.
  • approx. 300 g/m² for very dense bedding.

So colour flakes are not wrong, but they are not the same as a calculated anti-slip additive. If safety is the primary reason, plan glass beads or other targeted structure.

Quartz sand, glass beads or chips?

Quartz sand is often used in crafts to make coatings more grippy. Depending on the grain size, it can structure significantly, but it also changes the cleaning and appearance. Glass beads are finer and more transparent. Colour chips are more decorative and visually more visible.

Anti-slip glass beads and colour flakes are the obvious accessory products for CAIRCON floor coatings. The choice depends on the goal:

  • The most discreet look possible with more grip: glass beads.
  • Decorative surface with flake effect: colour flakes.
  • Stronger structure with a high risk of slipping: plan a targeted anti-slip structure.
  • Easy cleaning is a priority: do not choose an unnecessarily coarse structure.

More slip resistance often means more dirt adhesion. A very smooth surface is easier to clean, but riskier when wet. Getting both at the maximum at the same time is rarely realistic.

When should glass beads or colour flakes be applied?

Glass beads and paint chips belong in the wet coating. If the surface is already dry, they no longer stick effectively. The decision must therefore be made before the coating is applied.

With 2K floor coatings, the working time is limited. Divide the area sensibly and work so that the bedding and coating fit together. A second person is helpful on large areas: one person coats, the other spreads evenly.

Irregular bedding quickly looks stained later. With chips this is sometimes decorative. With anti-slip additives, it can be annoying if some areas are very non-slip and others are slippery.

Sealing: protection, but also influence on the structure

A clear seal can protect paint chips, improve cleaning and create a clear glossy finish. However, it can also partially cover the structure, depending on the layer thickness and structure.

For indoor areas, 2K epoxy floor sealing transparent is a clear floor sealer for mineral interior floors. It can be used as a transparent final seal over paint chip surfaces or 2K floor paints.

2K epoxy floor sealant, transparent, UV-resistant is intended for UV-exposed indoor and outdoor areas. It is suitable for concrete, screed, cement and fiberglass floors as well as balconies, carports, terraces, open garages, parking decks, warehouses and workshops.

If slip resistance is important, the sealant must not be blindly placed over it. The desired structure must be preserved.

Garage, balcony, stairs and workshop

In a garage, allow for moisture, tyres, road salt and cleaning. A light to medium texture often makes sense. Workshops may also have oil, dust and tools. On balconies and terraces, consider rain, dew and footwear. Slip resistance matters even more on stairs and ramps, where a fall can have more serious consequences.

2K epoxy floor coating for garage and workshop is suitable for coloured garage and workshop areas. 2K epoxy floor coating matt is suitable for matt interior and covered areas. 2K epoxy floor coating for balconies, terraces and concrete is the central solution for balconies, terraces and outdoor areas.

Specify the slip-resistant additive as part of the system rather than as a later correction.

Cleaning and care

The more structured the surface is, the more dirt can settle. That's normal. A highly slip-resistant surface is not always as easy to wipe as a smooth interior floor. This is often a sensible compromise for garages and outdoor areas. A finer structure may be more suitable for living or exhibition spaces.

Clean coated surfaces with suitable products and avoid aggressive methods that could damage the surface. Oil and grease should not be left standing for long, especially on surfaces that need to remain non-slip and easy to clean.

Typical mistakes

Common mistakes with non-slip floor coatings include:

  • Colour chips are confused with real slip resistance.
  • Glass beads are sprinkled too late or unevenly.
  • The dosage is freely estimated.
  • A smooth seal covers the structure.
  • Slip resistance is only planned after the first accident.
  • The surface is made so coarse that it is difficult to clean.

Use this sequence: check the intended use, assess the slip risk, choose the additive, calculate the dosage and prepare the application.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make floor coating non-slip?

With a targeted anti-slip additive such as glass beads, which is sprinkled or mixed into the wet coating. The dosage depends on the desired structure.

Are paint chips anti-slip?

Colour chips can support slip resistance, but are primarily decorative. For targeted slip resistance, glass beads are the clearer solution.

Can you sprinkle glass beads into 2K floor paint?

Yes. The CAIRCON anti-slip glass beads can be mixed into 1K or 2K floor paint or sprinkled into the still wet coating.

What dosage is suitable for R9 to R10?

For the CAIRCON glass beads, approx. 50 to 60 g/m² is recommended for R9 to R10. For a light structure approx. 20 to 30 g/m².

Does an area with paint chips need sealing?

A transparent seal is often useful to protect chips and make the surface easier to clean. A UV-resistant seal should be checked outdoors.

Plan your floor coating with suitable two-part coatings, primer, anti-slip additives and sealer.

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