Non Slip Stair Treads
There are lots of ways to minimize the possibility of falling, including simply being careful and using common sense, of course cleaning stairs of “stuff” and debris that gathers, installing and/or using handrails, having staircases well lit, and by adding non slip stair treads, also called anti slip or anti skid stair treads.
They can also look good and complement the decor, protect the stairs from wear and tear as as well as scrapes and chips, and deaden sounds like when you are sneaking in late or getting up before anyone else. Their number one reason for being however, their raison d’etre, is safety!
Quite simply, they are non slip material placed on the weight supporting treads, the horizontal part of the staircase you step on, and they come in lots of different types, such as carpet stair treads, which may be an entire roll of carpet often covering just the middle part of the stairs or sometimes discrete rugs for each stair. Some have a rubber backing and simply sit on each stair like welcome mats and some types are designed to be physically attached, maybe glued or tacked. Individual braided stair treads for each step are a popular option, and come in hundreds of attractive styles and patterns.
Straightforward rubber stair treads are also very common and quite inexpensive. My family’s vacation house has these attached to the cellar stairs with tacks. My father almost slipped on these stairs over 30 years ago so he installed some and no one has slipped there ever since. Similar ones can be found made of vinyl, which is often even cheaper, or aluminum as well.
Sometimes you might simply use a non slip tape, also called stair tread grip tape. This type of tape has a gritty non-slip surface, is very durable, and is popular for stairs as well as truck and motor home running boards, boat decks, folding ladders, and much more. Sometimes it’s rubber non slip tape and sometimes it’s made of other material. Reflective tape for stairs is also available, very often with built in non slip capability, and is also a great safety option for areas that may be sometimes dimly lit or dark.
In many areas these are just common sense, and there are indoor non slip stir treads as well as exterior non slip stair treads. Some are designed for in or out. There are even heated ones available that plug into a wall outlet and melt any ice or snow on them. These are great in New Hampshire for example!
You can purchase non slip stair treads all over the place as they are a common household item, including your local hardware store and department stores like Target, K-mart and more. You will find a much better selection if you cannot find something you like locally and very often better prices online.
