Durable Solutions, Stairs & Decks
Clearway Stair Treads vs. HandiTreads: Which is Better?
When it comes to the safety of you and your loved ones, every step matters. Although it may seem trivial compared to other safety concerns, a slippery step at your home can cause a fall that is detrimental to your finances, and more importantly, your health. You can’t wait until you or your loved ones slip and fall before employing a non-slip product to your stairs, because then, it may be too late.
Since slip and fall prevention is so crucial to the safety of you and your loved ones, the choice of a non-slip solution is of the utmost importance. You’ve probably done some research and found that the most effective treads for preventing slips and falls on outdoor stairs are aluminum non-slip treads. But how do you choose between two popular options like Clearway and HandiTreads? While they may look similar, these two aluminum non-slip stair treads are not created equally. In this blog, we will delve into the key differences between HandiTreads and Clearway non-slip stair treads to help you select the solution that best suits your family and your home.
Clearway Non-Slip Stair Treads vs. HandiTreads Non-Slip Stair Treads
At first glance, the Clearway and HandiTreads non-slip stair treads may seem almost identical. However, there are key differences that drastically affect their performance.
Composition & Design
To begin, both Clearway and HandiTreads are constructed from hard-wearing aluminum. This means they can be exposed to long-term moisture without rusting, making them ideal for outdoor applications. How this aluminum is crafted into each non-slip product is what makes the difference.
Square-Cut vs. Rounded Corners
The first difference between the two is the shape. Clearway treads are square-cut while HandiTreads are cut with a rounded edge for added safety. While this may seem like an insignificant detail, the edges of these non-slip treads can affect your step. A square-cut corner has a point, so it can potentially catch your shoe, a bare foot, or even your pet’s paw. Even though the Clearway stair tread is meant to prevent slips and falls, the sharp edges jutting out from the tread can cut or catch a foot. HandiTreads, on the other hand, have rounded corners that won’t snag shoes or clothing and won’t injure bare feet or your furry family member’s paw.
Width
Another differentiating factor between Clearway and HandiTreads is the width of the stair tread. While Clearway non-slip stair treads are 3.375” in width, HandiTreads are 3.75” wide. While that may not seem like a significant difference, HandiTreads are over 10% wider, giving them a larger area of non-slip coverage on your stairs. That additional 3/8ths of an inch on the HandiTreads grips more surface area of your shoe or foot to provide an even more secure step than Clearway.
Color Selection
When it comes to selecting a color for the non-slip treads on your stairs, HandiTreads has Clearway beat. While both have traction-enhancing powder-coated options, HandiTreads has 5 color options (and 1 unfinished option), while Clearway only offers 2 color options and 1 in unfinished aluminum. Clearway’s color selection only includes Yellow and Black, which may be sufficient for some business applications but doesn’t provide enough to respond to homeowner’s design preferences.
HandiTreads has an unfinished aluminum option, a safety Yellow color, and 4 earth-toned shades, Obsidian Black, Chestnut Brown, Java Brown, and New England Gray, that were meticulously selected to match or complement popular outdoor stair colors. This makes HandiTreads perfect for homeowners who value both the safety and appearance of their home.
👑 Winner: HandiTreads
While both Clearway and HandiTreads are constructed from hard-wearing aluminum, HandiTreads takes the win with a wider design, rounded corners that won’t catch paws or clothing, and three more color options.
Non-Slip Properties
Perhaps the most defining characteristic of these two non-slip stair tread options is the raised-button traction surface. Unlike Clearway, the traction surface of HandiTreads is patented. HandiTreads, and its parent company HandiRamp, developed this design and perfected it for decades on accessibility ramps, where safety is paramount. Now patented, HandiTreads’ raised-button traction surface dispels up to an inch of water, snow, ice, or debris with each step, making them ideal for use in virtually any weather or environmental condition. Because each button is hollow, it grips onto the sole of your shoe or foot and also allows for moisture to drain through the tread instead of sitting on top.
Perhaps the most defining characteristic of these two non-slip stair tread options is the raised-button traction surface. Unlike Clearway, the traction surface of HandiTreads is patented. HandiTreads, and its parent company HandiRamp, developed this design and perfected it for decades on accessibility ramps, where safety is paramount. Now patented, HandiTreads’ raised-button traction surface dispels up to an inch of water, snow, ice, or debris with each step, making them ideal for use in virtually any weather or environmental condition. Because each button is hollow, it grips onto the sole of your shoe or foot and also allows for moisture to drain through the tread instead of sitting on top.
Clearway’s traction surface may look very similar, but the design of the raised buttons just doesn’t hold up to HandiTreads’ patented design. Firstly, Clearway treads only have 3 rows of traction buttons while HandiTreads have 6, which is double the amount of traction points. Virtually the entire surface of HandiTreads is covered in the 360-degree traction buttons while the edges and ends of Clearway treads lack any traction-enhancing points.
The size of the traction buttons on HandiTreads non-slip treads was meticulously selected after years of research and development. The size of the buttons perfectly grips the soles of shoes and feet without being uncomfortable on bare skin. Plus, they’re also comfortable on your pet’s paws to keep them safe too. The unpatented traction buttons on Clearway treads are slightly larger, which may not grip the soles of certain shoes as successfully as the HandiTreads would. The larger opening in the Clearway buttons also allows for your pet’s nails to potentially get stuck, which could harm both your beloved pet’s paw as well as their confidence using the stairs.
👑 Winner: HandiTreads
The surface of both HandiTreads and Clearway looks similar, but HandiTreads’s surface is patented and features twice as many traction buttons for 360-degree slip and fall prevention
Installation
The biggest similarity between HandiTreads and Clearway besides aluminum construction is the installation process. Both non-slip tread options come with included wood screws for installation. The screws are also color-matched to the tread shade you select. Simply position the tread on your natural or composite wood stair and use a power drill the screw it into place. If installing the treads on concrete, stone, or brick, be sure to use concrete pins. After the treads are installed, no further maintenance is required. However, as you’ll read in the next section, HandiTreads and Clearway treads are not equal when it comes to guaranteed longevity after installation.
👑 Winner: Tie
With a straightforward installation process, both HandiTreads and Clearway non-slip treads can be installed onto your outdoor steps with ease.
Durability & Longevity
Because aluminum is a very hard-wearing material, both HandiTreads and Clearway treads will be able to withstand heavy foot traffic and won’t rust away. However, there can be extenuating circumstances that may damage the treads. Plus, if you are going to invest in a permanent slip and fall solution on your steps, you should have peace of mind that they will continue to perform permanently too.
Clearway non-slip treads have a 1 year warranty, which may be enough time to ensure that your treads aren’t defective, but it doesn’t lend to the overall longevity of the treads. After a year, what if something unexpected happens to the treads? You’ll have to pay to replace them. HandiTreads, however, have a lifetime residential warranty to ensure that you and your loved ones will always be able to rely on them to prevent slips and falls.
👑 Winner: HandiTreads
While their aluminum construction adds to the durability of both products, HandiTreads have a lifetime residential warranty while Clearway only has a 1 year warranty.
HandiTreads: The Gold Standard in Slip and Fall Prevention
While Clearway non-slip stair treads may be a worthy opponent, HandiTreads emerges as the undisputed champion. From their superior patented traction surface to their unmatched lifetime warranty, HandiTreads set the gold standard for non-slip solutions. When it comes to preventing dangerous slips and falls on your outdoor steps, choose HandiTreads for a safer and more reliable experience.
