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Customized Stop-the-Slip Solutions For Your Unique Conditions
Your Stop-the-Slip Solutions Graded:
ClearGrip Treads: B
ClearGrip Treads by Stop the Slip provide excellent traction on wood stairs. The rubberized vinyl grips onto shoes, feet, socks and paws! ClearGrip Treads are an excellent and safe solution when appearance is important when you’re searching for a non-slip solution for wood stairs.
The non-slip vinyl treads are applied with an adhesive backing making application easy and effortless. The adhesive backing is strong enough to keep the treads secured in place, but that also can be removed in the future if desired. The ClearGrip Treads come in either 6″ x 12″ or 6″ x 24″ sizes that can be trimmed to size.
ClearGrip Treads maintenance is simple. They can be mopped or wiped down with soap and water or a mild cleaner!
ClearGrip treads can be used on a variety of other surfaces including, laminate flooring, ceramic tile, sealed concrete and natural stone.
Depending on the foot traffic on the stairs, ClearGrip Treads are expected to last for 3 to 5 years.
Total Score: B
Effectiveness: CInstallation & Maintenance: A
Durability: A
Initial Price: B
Long-Term Value: B
Non-Slip Grit Treads: A-
Handi-Treads Stop-the-Slip Grit Treads are perfect for you when appearance is less of a concern, but maximum amount of traction is necessary. Additionally, these treads work great with wood stairs.
The commercial grade Non-Slip Grit Treads provide high traction on surfaces like wood stairs in the workplace or at home in even the most adverse greasy or wet conditions. Stop-the-Slip Grit Treads are not appropriate for stairs where bare feet and socks are the norm, instead they are intended for areas where footwear is normally worn.
The non-slip treads are 6″ x 24″, are NFSI certified for “High Traction,” can be cut to meet custom size needs and meet Prop 65 and ADA standards. These treads come four (4) per-package and are available in black, black with reflective strip, black with glow strip, and a luminescent (glow-in-the-dark) form.
Installation is simple and brief. The backing of the grit treads is a peel-and-stick, which provides maximum adhesion to properly cleaned sealed or painted wood surfaces and is intended to last for many years. Maintenance is not required for Grit Treads.
Depending on the level of use, Grit Treads will maintain their effectiveness, lasting for 3 to 5 years.
Total Score: A-
Effectiveness: AInstallation & Maintenance: A
Durability: B
Initial Price: B
Long-Term Value: B
Stair Runners & Treads: B-
An effective way to improve traction on finished wood stairs is individual treads and stair runners made of short loop carpet. However, cut pile or long carpeting can actually be more dangerous than finished wood steps.
Installation of non-adhesive backed carpeted treads and carpet runners usually require a professional. The carpet must be securely fastened to the risers and stair treads with specialized staples or tack rails. These methods of installation make the safest stairs. DIY carpet treads are also 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. They are simply not secure enough and if not properly installed, can catch a toe.
Maintenance of treads and carpet runners can be a challenge to clean as one must carry a vacuum up or down the steps to clean the carpet. This in and of itself can be a hazard.
Treads or carpet stair runners can be expected to last for 5 to 8 years with professional instillation, 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 tack holes or nails. In order to return the stairs to their original wood beauty, they will likely need to be refinished.
The cost of purchase and proper installation of treads and carpet runners by a professional can run into several hundreds of dollars, depending on the quality of the carpet purchased.
Total Score: A-
Effectiveness: AInstallation & Maintenance: A
Durability: B
Initial Price: B
Long-Term Value: B
Anti-Slip Paint or Finish: C
Grit paint can provide excellent traction to your wood stairs when people always wear shoes and appearance isn’t a concern. Non-slip paints suspend an aggregate, like sand, that creates a rough, slip resistant surface.
The application of Grit paint can be difficult when surface preparation and careful application is critical. Once applied to sealed or stained steps it’s almost impossible to successfully return the stairs to their natural wood finish.
Maintenance for grit paint is not required, but cleaning steps coated with grit paint can be a challenge. While there’s no problem using soap and water to wash anti-slip paint, the aggregate in the paint will rip up a cloth mop or sponge. In most instances, grit paint is best cleaned and maintained with a vacuum.
There is a family of new non-slip paints that are supposed to make wood stairs coated with polyurethane less slippery. We’ll report back once we have real-world experience with the product.
Anti-slip paint costs around $60 to $120 a gallon. Grit paint will last for 8 to 10 years, when used inside the home.
Total Score: C
Effectiveness: CInstallation & Maintenance: D
Durability: B
Initial Price: D
Long-Term Value: B