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Customized Non-Slip Solutions
For Your Composite Wood Deck
HandiTreads compares the four most common ways to prevent slips on composite decks—aluminum treads, grit tape, heavy mats, and grit paint—ranking each for traction, durability, and long-term value on Trex, TimberTech, and other capped-wood surfaces.
Composite decks are beautiful and low-maintenance, but they become dangerously slippery when wet, icy, or covered with moss. This guide compares the most effective non-slip solutions for composite wood decks—HandiTreads aluminum deck treads, grit tape, heavy mats, and grit paint—so homeowners, contractors, and property managers can confidently choose the safest, most cost-effective traction option for their outdoor spaces.
Your Stop-the-Slip Solutions Graded:
Solution | Effectiveness | Maintenance | Durability | Initial Price | Long-Term Value | Best For |
HandiTreads Deck Treads | A | A | A | B | A | Permanent traction on composite decks & porches |
Grit Tape | D | C | F | A | D | Short-term indoor or covered porch use |
Heavy Rubber or Fiber Mats | C | B | C | B | C | Temporary traction near doors or wet zones |
Grit Paint | B+ | B | C | B | B | Small decorative deck areas, low traffic zones |
Handi-Treads Deck Treads: A
If you have dangerous slippery spots on your composite wood (Trex, TimberTech, CertainTeed, Azek, Fiberon, etc.) deck, HandiTreads Deck Treads are the effective, long-lasting solution for minimizing the risk of slips and falls. Just as important, the deck treads come in four earth-toned hues that are designed to match or complement the most popular deck colors.
The raised aluminum traction buttons of the deck treads are uniquely self-cleaning. The pressure from a foot stepping on the rigid raised buttons wipes away moisture, moss, and even thin layers of ice creating solid contact between the tread and sneaker, shoe, or bare foot.
Installation of the aluminum Handi-Treads Deck Treads is very simple on composite wood. They take minutes to install with the simplest of tools. Once installed no maintenance is required for the Handi-Treads Disk Treads which are guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Don’t worry about shoveling snow off of Deck Treads. Even with an aluminum shovel, you won’t damage them. A snow shovel will pull up grit tape in a single stroke and will dramatically reduce the longevity of anti-slip paint. In fact, you’ll need to take more care not to cut the synthetic wood than to hurt the aluminum treads.
Because HandiTreads Deck Treads are a lifetime solution with once-and-done installation and maintenance, their initial cost can be higher. We offer them in discounted packs of 4 and 10 to make them more cost-efficient for you!
When measured over a three to five year performance period, the investment in Handi-Treads is almost always the most cost-effective solution for your front porch or backyard deck.
Expert Insight: Composite decks are an investment in beauty and comfort, but even the best brands can get slippery. HandiTreads aluminum Deck Treads restore confidence and safety without changing the look of your deck. Built in the USA and available in four colors, they’re the only traction solution guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Total Score: A
Effectiveness: A
Installation & Maintenance: A
Durability: A
Initial Price: B
Long-Term Value: A
Non-Slip Grit Tape: D
Anti-slip tape can be used in some outdoor composite wood porch and deck situations as a short-term fix to reduce slips and falls. Rain and frost are easily dealt with by grit embedded into the tape, provided that the tape has adhered to the wood.Â
For the most part, grit tape that you can buy at Home Depot or Amazon is not appropriate for outdoor use, despite what is claimed. There is no tape-based adhesive that can realistically stand up to rain, snow and the inevitable heat and thaw cycles. Moreover, those composite wood decks that are highly grained do not hold adhesive tape well.
The proper installation of Non-Slip Grip Tape does require a bit of effort. First, it’s important that the wood surface, whether stained or painted, is clean, dry and in good shape. Heavily grained, uneven or splintering wood reduces the ability of the tape’s adhesive to bond to the synthetic wood porch or deck.
There’s no maintenance that can or should be done to the tape other than to be very careful of the edges and corners. Once a corner or edge begins to peel, the grip tape will quickly deteriorate. In snowy weather you must brush the snow off grit tape with a broom. The use of a snow shovel will peel up the tape almost immediately.
If you’re comfortable with a lifespan on outdoor wood steps of six months to a year, grit tape can be an inexpensive temporary solution.
Total Score: D
Effectiveness: D
Installation & Maintenance: C
Durability: F
Initial Price: A
Long-Term Value: D
Heavy Duty Rubber or Fiber Mats: C+
Heavy duty rubber or fiber mats can be an effective, temporary way to increase the traction in certain areas of a composite wood deck or porch. Industrial-quality rubber mats are frequently associated with professional kitchens where their ability to improve traction on wet tile floors make them a common feature. These very same qualities make them a good candidate to reduce the risk of slips and falls in certain wet areas of your porch or deck.
While they handle moisture with ease, heavy-duty rubber mats must be kept free of snow if they are to be effective in the winter. The deep channels or cut outs that make them “grippy” in the wet can also hold ice if the snow is not cleaned off the rubber mat.
Care must be taken when using a snow shovel with rubber mats as even a plastic blade can cut the rubber. Fiber mats are also susceptible to cutting if a metal snow shovel is used. The best way to clean mats of snow is to lift them up and shake them off. With heavy mats weighing 15 to 20 pounds and measuring four or five feet in length, this can be a challenge.
There is no installation required with mats as they can be laid down in the area where you need the extra traction.
We can only recommend rubber mats if you purchase ones that (1) have holes for drainage, (2) have a beveled edge, and (3) are at least 10 pounds. The drainage is necessary so that when snow melts and refreezes you don’t end up with a tray of ice. The beveled edge reduces the chance that you’ll catch a toe on the edge of the mat, which would actually cause you or a loved one to fall. Finally, the weight of the mat is important so that you can’t accidentally move it when using it for traction.
Depending upon thickness and quality of the rubber or fiber mat material you can expect the mat to last 2 to 4 years.
Total Score: C+
Effectiveness: C
Installation & Maintenance: B
Durability: C
Initial Price: B
Long-Term Value: C
Grit Paint: B+
Grit paint can reduce slipperiness in specific areas of a synthetic wood porch or deck made of Trex, Timbertech or other plastic capped brands. However, it can be challenging to find a color that complements or matches your existing wood. Fortunately, Slip Doctor grit paint comes in up to 10 colors enabling you to blend a color into almost any decor. Grit paint will improve the safety of a deck or porch if it’s applied meticulously and maintained properly. Like grit tape, non-slip paints include an aggregate that creates traction. The best anti-slip paints, like Slip Doctor’s Tuff Grip traction paints, contain aluminum oxide that, while encapsulated in the paint, create a rough, slip-resistant surface. We rate the effectiveness of grit paint very high for wet weather, frost, and a small amount of snow.Â
The quality of the epoxy paint and proper application is critical to the longevity of grit paint. If the Trex or other synthetic wood is in good shape, it is scuff-sanded and cleaned and prepared properly, and the paint is applied according to instructions, you can anticipate that anti-slip paint will last 3 to 5 years under normal consumer traffic.
Slip Doctor grit paints on exterior surfaces are, by and large, maintenance free. However, if you live where it snows you need to be very careful not to aggressively shovel the area painted with grit paint. While the epoxy or enamel coating is durable under normal foot traffic, it’s no match for an aluminum or even plastic snow shovel. Once you start to scrape way the thin paint layer covering the aggregate, the system will quickly degrade.
The cost of a high-quality grit paint can run between $120 and $160 a gallon. In addition, you’ve got the consumable cost of paint brushes or rollers, trays, sandpaper, masking tape, and drop cloths. When all costs are factored, and depending upon the number of stairs, grit paint can be an excellent solution.
Total Score: B+
Effectiveness: B
Installation & Maintenance: C
Durability: B
Initial Price: B
Long-Term Value: B
Frequently Asked Questions About Slippery Composite Decks
Why is my Trex or TimberTech deck so slippery when wet?
Composite decking can develop a slick surface as moisture, pollen, or algae build up on the cap layer. Unlike wood, it doesn’t absorb water, so it needs a traction surface to create grip.
What’s the best non-slip solution for composite decking?
HandiTreads aluminum Deck Treads are the top-rated permanent fix. Their raised traction buttons clear water, frost, and moss, maintaining year-round traction without damaging the deck surface.
Can I use grit tape on composite decking?
You can, but only short-term. Most adhesive tapes won’t stick well to capped composites and will peel or lift after rain or freeze-thaw cycles.
Does anti-slip paint work on Trex or TimberTech?
Yes, if you use a high-quality epoxy or enamel grit paint like Slip Doctor’s Tuff Grip, properly scuff-sand the surface, and repaint every few years. It’s a moderate, semi-permanent solution.
Are rubber mats safe for composite decks?
Rubber mats improve traction temporarily but can trap moisture and leave stains. If used, ensure they’re heavy, beveled, and have drainage holes.
Can I shovel snow off my HandiTreads?
Absolutely. You can safely shovel over HandiTreads (even with an aluminum shovel) without damage—just be cautious not to scratch your composite boards underneath.
Will aluminum treads rust or corrode outdoors?
No. HandiTreads are made from rust-proof aluminum with a weather-resistant finish designed to last a lifetime in all climates.
How long do these anti-slip options last?
- Grit tape: 6–12 months
- Rubber mats: 2–4 years
- Grit paint: 3–5 years
- HandiTreads: Lifetime residential warranty
- Grit tape: 6–12 months