Customized Stop-the-Slip Solutions
For Your Unique Conditions
Your Stop-the-Slip Solutions Graded:
ClearGrip Treads
A
Grit-Treads
D
Stair Runners
C+
Anti-Slip Paint
D
ClearGrip Treads: A
For stained, painted, or clear-coated wood steps inside the home, ClearGrip Treads provide excellent slip prevention while allowing the natural beauty of the wood finish to shine through. ClearGrip Treads rubberized vinyl provides excellent traction that works well with bare feet, socks, slippers, shoes and even pet paws!
The non-slip vinyl treads are easy to apply with an adhesive backing that is strong enough to keep the treads securely in place, but that also can be removed in the future, if desired. ClearGrip Treads come in either 6″ x 24″ or 6″ x 12″ sizes that can be trimmed, if desired.
ClearGrip treads can also be used on many other surfaces including ceramic tile, laminate flooring, natural stone and sealed concrete. Maintenance of ClearGrip Treads is easy. They can be mopped or wiped down with soap and water with ease.
You can expect ClearGrip Treads to last for 3 to 5 years, depending on the foot traffic on the stairs.
It’s important to remember that the darker the color of the wood or paint, the more visible the ClearGrip tread will be. On light wood the vinyl tread is nearly invisible. On dark wood, you will notice it.
Total Score: A
Effectiveness: A
Installation & Maintenance: A
Durability: A
Initial Price: B
Long-Term Value: A
Non-Slip Grit Treads: D
Handi-Treads Stop-the-Slip Grit Treads are perfect for wood stairs where a maximum amount of traction is required and you’re not concerned about appearances. If it’s important to you that your wood steps maintain their natural beauty, grit treads are not an effective solution
The commercial grade non-slip grit treads provide a high traction surface for wood stairs in the work place or at home in wet, dry and oily conditions. Stop-the-Slip Grit Treads are intended for stairs where footwear are normally worn. They are not appropriate for stairs where socks and bare feet are the norm.
These non-slip treads are 6″ x 24″, meet Prop 65 and ADA standards, are NFSI certified for “High Traction”, and can be cut to meet custom size needs. Treads come 4 per package and are available in black, black with glow strip, black with reflective strip, and *luminescent.
Installation is simple and fast. The peel-and-stick backing of the grit treads provides maximum adhesion to properly cleaned painted or sealed wood surfaces an is intended to last for many years. No maintenance is required for grit treads. Grit treads will maintain their effectiveness, depending on the level of use, from 2 to 4 years.
Total Score: D
Effectiveness: F
Installation & Maintenance: A
Durability: C
Initial Price: B
Long-Term Value: F
Stair Runners & Treads: C+
Stair runners and individual treads made of carpet can be an effective way to improve traction on finished wood stairs assuming that it is a short, looped carpet and the runner or treads properly installed. Long or cut pile carpeting can actually be more dangerous than finished wood steps. While some appreciate the appearance of carpet on a wooden staircase, many do not like the fact that their beauty of their wooden staircase is hidden.
Installation of carpet runners and non-adhesive backed carpeted treads usually require a professional. The carpet must be securely fastened to the stair treads and risers with specialized tack rails or staples. These methods of installation make the safest stairs. There are also DIY carpet treads available with an adhesive backing. While there are some good quality adhesive-backed carpet treads on the market, we do not believe that adhesive backed treads are appropriate for most homes. The are simply not secure enough and if not properly secured, can catch a toe.
Maintenance of carpet runners and treads can be a challenge as one must carry a vacuum up or down the steps to clean the carpet. This in and of itself can be a hazard.
With professional installation carpet stair runners or treads can be expected to last 5 to 8 years, depending on the quality and the use and abuse they receive. It’s important to remember that once a runner or tread is placed on the wooden stairs, the finish will be marred with nail or tack holes. To return the stairs to their original wood beauty, they will likely need to be refinished.
The cost of purchase and proper installation of carpet runners or treads by a professional can run into several hundreds of dollars, depending on the quality of the carpet purchased.
Total Score: C+
Effectiveness: A
Installation & Maintenance: D
Durability: A
Initial Price: D
Long-Term Value: C
Anti-Slip Paint or Finish: D
Grit paint is not typically appropriate for interior residential wood stairs where people will be walking in bare feet or with socks The grit in most anti-slip paints is so aggressive that they will cause pulls in the sock fabric and will also be too harsh on your feet. Grit paint is also unattractive in a residential setting, making it a poor choice where aesthetics matter.
There are some chemical sprays and treatments on the market that are meant to “rough up” a painted or sealed wood finish, but at this time we cannot recommend them.
For wood stairs that are leading to utility rooms or basements where shoes will always be worn – and appearance is not critical – grit paint can be an acceptable way to improve traction.
Grit paint can be difficult to apply as surface preparation and careful application is critical. Once applied to stained or sealed steps it’s almost impossible to successfully return the stairs to their natural wood finish. The cost of anti-slip paint is $60 to $120 a gallon. Used inside the home, grit paint will last for 8 to 10 years.
Total Score: D
Effectiveness: F
Installation & Maintenance: D
Durability: B
Initial Price: D
Long-Term Value: D