Slip Resistance of Floor Finish: What 0.87 Means for a Recoat
Slip resistance in a floor finish is measured as a coefficient of friction, and the common slip-safety benchmark is 0.5. FloorIt Two-Part Finish has a static coefficient of friction of 0.87, well above that benchmark, so it grips underfoot instead of feeling slick. For homeowners with dogs, young kids or older parents, that number answers a question they worry about but rarely ask. Here is what it means, how to explain it and what it does not mean.
What a coefficient of friction is
A coefficient of friction is a number for how much a surface resists sliding. The higher the number, the more grip.
Static means the grip before anything starts to move. It is the number that matters when a foot or a paw lands and has to stay put.
For floors, 0.5 is the common slip-safety benchmark. A finish at or above it is considered grippy enough. Below it, the floor starts to feel slick.
Where FloorIt Two-Part Finish sits
FloorIt Two-Part Finish has a static coefficient of friction of 0.87 on its data sheet. That is well above the 0.5 benchmark.
For comparison, the big-brand pro finish's data sheet lists 0.5. That is one of four published numbers where the two finishes can be compared directly. The others are coverage, the floor types each is made for and cost per square foot.
This grip comes with a hard coat. The same finish loses only 45 mg on a 1,000-cycle Taber abrasion test and scores 90 on Koenig hardness. Grippy and hard at the same time is what you want in a hallway.
Who cares about this number
- "Will the dog slide around?" Dogs on a slick floor scramble, and their nails scratch it on the way.
- "My mom lives with us." Older parents and a slick floor is a worry many families carry.
- "The kids run through here." Kids in socks on a shiny floor is a fall waiting to happen.
- "It looks so shiny. Is it slippery?" A fresh coat looks glossy, and people assume glossy means slick.
Most homeowners never ask about slip resistance by name. They ask in other ways.
Where the number comes from
The 0.87 comes from the finish's technical data sheet, the same sheet that lists its coverage, hardness and abrasion results. It is a tested number, not a sales line.
Keep the data sheet on your phone. When a homeowner wants proof, show them the sheet instead of asking them to take your word for it. A homeowner who sees the number in writing trusts the rest of what you tell them more.
Use the number the way the sheet gives it: 0.87 static coefficient of friction. Do not round it up, and do not turn it into a promise.
How to say it to a homeowner
Keep it short and use the number once. Something like this works at the estimate:
'This finish is built for traction. It's rated 0.87 for grip, and the common safety benchmark is 0.5. So it's grippier for the dog and for your parents, not slicker.'
Then move on. One clear number is more believable than a list of claims.
What the number does not mean
- It does not mean slip-proof. No floor is. A wet floor, socks on stairs or a rug that slides can all cause a fall.
- It is a rating for the finish itself. What goes on top later is a different surface.
- It is not a promise about any one fall or any one person. Never word it as a safety guarantee.
Be careful with how far you take it.
Keeping the grip
The homeowner can undo a good finish with the wrong product. Store shine products, polishes and restorers leave a film on top of the floor, and the person walking on the floor is then walking on that film, not on the finish.
So the care list matters for grip too. Clean with the pH-neutral citrus floor cleaner left with the job. Never use store shine products, oil soap, steam mops or vinegar. Rugs at the doors catch water and grit before it reaches the finish.
Wipe up spills and water right away. A wet floor is a slick floor, whatever the finish.
Why it matters for your business
Homeowners compare quotes. If every company brings the same jug, the only thing left to compare is price.
A plain, true number like 0.87 gives the homeowner a reason that is not price. It speaks to something they care about, in their own home, with their own dog or parents. It is a different conversation from "we are $200 cheaper."
It also fits with the rest of the finish: non-yellowing, so light and gray floors stay the color they chose, and commercial grade, rated for homes, businesses and sport floors.
Common questions
What is a good coefficient of friction for a floor? The common slip-safety benchmark is 0.5. A higher number means more grip. FloorIt Two-Part Finish has a static coefficient of friction of 0.87.
Is water-based polyurethane slippery? It does not have to be. FloorIt Two-Part Finish, a two-part, water-based urethane, tests at 0.87 for static friction, well above the 0.5 benchmark.
Will a recoat make my floor more slippery? A fresh coat of a finish rated 0.87 grips underfoot. What makes a floor slick later is usually what goes on top, like store shine products, or water left on the floor.
Why does floor traction matter for homes with dogs? Dogs on a slick floor scramble for grip, and their nails scratch the finish as they do. A finish rated 0.87 gives them better footing.
Is a floor with a high slip rating slip-proof? No floor is slip-proof. A high rating means more grip, but wet floors, socks and loose rugs can still cause falls.