Safety managers and home owners often turn to non slip tape as the first line of defence against slippery floors. It is one of the fastest ways to add traction to steps, ramps, and walkways without high costs.
However, not all tapes are the same. Picking a low-quality tape for a high-traffic site usually leads to the edges peeling up or the grit wearing smooth within weeks.
Choosing the right anti slip products requires more than just picking a colour. You need to match the adhesive strength and the grit level to the specific environment of your site. This blog will help you buy the right tape so your safety upgrade lasts as long as possible.
The Buyer Checklist: 4 Pillars of Tape Quality
Before you click buy, evaluate these four factors to ensure the tape can handle the environment. Using the wrong tape in a wet area or a greasy kitchen is a common mistake that leads to fast failure.
1. Grit Level (The Texture)
The grit is what provides the mechanical bite for shoe soles.
- Standard Grit: Best for indoor stairs and office walkways. It provides enough grip for dry shoes without being too rough to clean.
- Coarse Grit: Essential for outdoor stair treads or industrial zones. The larger particles poke through water and light dirt.
- Extra Coarse: Used in mining safety or heavy mud areas. These deep valleys in the grit prevent the tape from becoming clogged with debris.
2. Adhesive Type (The Glue)
The glue is what stops the tape from moving.
- Acrylic Adhesive: Good for indoor, dry surfaces. It is easy to apply but can soften if it gets too hot or wet.
- Solvent-Based Adhesive: This is the high-performance choice for heavy industry and industrial applications. It resists water, oils, and chemicals much better than standard glue.
3. Backing Material (The Carrier)
The material that holds the grit determines how well the tape fits the floor.
- Plastic (PVC) Backing: Great for flat, smooth floors like tiles or polished concrete.
- Foil Backing: Best for checker plate or uneven metal floors. The foil can be hammered into the shape of the floor to create a better bond.
4. Chemical Resistance
Cleaning chemicals can dissolve the glue on cheap tapes. Ensure your tape is resistant to the surfactants and degreasers used in your daily cleaning routine, such as TitaniumGrip Cleaner.
Feature | Low-Traffic (Office) | High-Traffic (Factory) | Wet Area (Pool/Dock) |
Grit Grade | Standard | Coarse / Extra Coarse | Non-abrasive (Skin friendly) |
Adhesive | Acrylic | Solvent-Based | Waterproof Acrylic |
Durability | 1 to 2 Years | 3 to 5 Years | 2 to 3 Years |
Key Risk | Dust build-up | Grit wearing smooth | Edge lifting from water |
Environment Match: Where are you sticking it?
The location of the tape changes the technical needs of the product. An indoor corridor has very different stressors than a loading dock.
Indoor Walkways and Stairs
For most indoor sites, stair safety is the main goal. Standard black or yellow/black hazard tape is usually enough. Focus on tapes that have a low profile so they do not become a trip hazard for people in dress shoes.
Outdoor Ramps and Steps
Outdoor tape must handle rain and sun. Look for UV-stabilised labels. Without this, the sun will make the tape brittle, causing it to crack and peel. For these areas, anti slip stair treads are often a better long-term choice, but high-grade tape can work as a fast fix.
Wet Areas (Showers and Pool Decks)
Abrasive grit tape can hurt bare skin. For pool safety, choose non-abrasive tapes. These use a rubber-like texture that gives grip to wet feet without the sandpaper feel.
Surface Preparation: The Secret to a Long Bond
Even the best non slip tape will fail if the floor is dirty. Follow these steps to ensure the adhesive locks onto the surface correctly.
- Remove Old Residue: Use a scraper to get rid of any old tape glue.
- Degrease the Floor: Use a strong cleaner to remove oil. This is vital in hospitality safety where cooking fats are common.
- Dry Completely: Moisture trapped under the tape will cause bubbles and lifting.
- Use a Primer: On porous floors like wood or concrete, a liquid primer fills the pores so the tape glue has a flat surface to grab.
- Round the Corners: Use scissors to round off the sharp corners of the tape strip. Square corners catch on mops and shoes much more easily.
- Apply Pressure: Use a rubber roller to push the tape down. This activates the pressure-sensitive glue.
When Tape Isn’t Enough: Moving to Permanent Solutions
Tape is excellent for fast upgrades, but it is a wear item. In some real-world sites, the traffic is so heavy that tape becomes a maintenance burden.
- Heavy Forklift Zones: Tape will tear under the weight of turning tyres. Use Polygrip plates instead.
- Constantly Submerged Areas: For stairs inside a pool or tank, mechanical fixings are better than glue.
- Rough Concrete: If the concrete is very pitted or uneven, tape cannot make a full seal. Anti slip stair nosings are the safer choice here.
Compliance and Liability
Using non slip tape is a proactive way for compliance officers to manage risks. However, you must ensure the tape provides enough visual contrast. Australian Standards often require a 30% contrast against the floor to help vision-impaired users find the edge of the step.
Documentation Task | Importance | Standard |
Check Slip Rating | Ensures the tape is grippy enough | |
Verify Contrast | Helps with visibility and safety | |
Record Install Date | Helps plan for future replacement |
Conclusion
Buying the right non slip tape requires a look at the grit, the glue, and the floor it will live on. While it is a fast and easy safety fix, the quality of the product determines if you will be replacing it in two months or two years.
Following a strict cleaning and preparation routine is the only way to ensure the adhesive stays locked down. Selecting the right tape today protects your people and your business from the high costs of a slip-and-fall accident.
Upgrade Your Grip with GripFactory
Finding the right balance between cost and durability is key to site safety. GripFactory Anti Slip Australia provides the expert anti slip products and advice needed to secure your stairs and walkways.
Whether you need heavy-duty industrial tape or a permanent GRP solution, our team can help you choose the right fit for your site. Reach out to secure your facility and reduce your liability risks today.
FAQs
Yes, but you must use a primer first. Tiles are often non-porous, but the grout lines can let moisture get under the tape.
A heat gun can soften the glue, making it easier to scrape off. Follow up with a citrus-based solvent to remove the final sticky bits.
Yellow tape is better for safety awareness as it highlights the hazard. Black tape is usually chosen for aesthetic reasons in offices or homes.
Standard tape will likely fail due to grease. You must use a solvent-based adhesive tape and perform a very deep degreasing of the floor first.
Yes. Most tape glues need a surface temperature of at least 10°C to bond correctly. If the floor is too cold, the tape will peel off very quickly.
