A belt for an elevator system is provided. The belt includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width. A jacket material at least partially encapsulates the plurality of tension members. The jacket material includes a traction surface and a back surface opposite the traction surface together defining a belt thickness therebetween. The jacket material also includes two end surfaces extending between the traction surface and the back surface and defining the belt width therebetween. A metalized polymer coating layer is disposed over at least one of the two end surfaces.