SkidProof say they now have the global rights to a new product that can improve the skid resistance of any hard surface, inside or out, including natural and engineered stone.

It came about as the result of an approach by BRE, who had had an engineered stone needing to be made slip resistant when wet without being etched or significantly changed in appearance.

Tim Blackmore of SkidProof says their product differs from other methods of adding slip resistance in that it does not etch the surface or use aggregates. Nevertheless, he says when it is applied correctly, it forms a hard surface coating.

The patented treatment provides anti-slip in two ways.

Firstly, the coating cures to form rough structures that exist throughout the layers of the treatment.

Secondly, the exposed surface exhibits concave structures that create a suction between the flooring and surfaces touching it.

Tim Blackmore says the level of slip resistance applied to the surface can be varied according to the location. External paving, for example, could be made highly slip resistant while a kitchen floor would require less slip resistance in order to make it easier to keep clean.

The product has to be applied to a clean, dry surface that is free from grease. The size and type of area to be treated affects the price, but SkidProof say a typical application would cost about £12/m2.

They do not sell the product and will only allow it to be applied by their own operatives.