What They Are
Reflective glass beads are small, round, high-refractive-index glass spheres dropped into wet traffic paint or thermoplastic. When a headlight strikes a bead, the light refracts, reflects off the bead's back surface, and returns toward the driver. That returning light is what makes a stripe glow at night.
Why They Matter
- Night visibility on parking lots and roadways
- ADA and pedestrian safety at crosswalks
- Compliance with certain municipal specifications
- Longevity — beaded lines stay visible longer
Types
- Standard drop-on beads — placed into wet paint at application
- Intermix beads — mixed into the paint before application
- High-index beads — brighter return, used on highway work
- Elements — larger prismatic elements for premium reflectivity
When Beads Are Optional
- Well-lit indoor or covered parking
- Interior deck striping where headlights do not travel
- Purely decorative markings
When Beads Should Be Included
- All roadway striping
- Any parking lot with meaningful night traffic
- Crosswalks and pedestrian pathways
- ADA access aisles adjacent to travel lanes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do beads make the paint last longer?
Slightly, but their main job is reflectivity, not durability.
Can beads be added to existing paint?
No — they must be embedded while the paint is wet.
Do beads work in the rain?
Standard beads lose reflectivity when wet. Wet-reflective bead systems exist for roadway applications.