Wooden or concrete steps feature in most business, homes and gardens in the UK. Some homeowners use rubber mats on the parts of their driveways that are most used. If your stairs are opposite your front door, this is often the first thing visitors see when they enter your house. But take one riser and make it slightly taller, and all it takes is one short trip to send someone on their back. Whichever option you choose to create an anti-slip surface on your wooden stairs, just be sure to follow the directions of the product. You can find stair parts and everything you need for a stair remodel or project on our website. You can also purchase rubber or polymeric plastic grits to mix in with the paint. Many of the paints’ biggest brands sell anti-slip spray, but that doesn’t mean this product will last or give you the results you want. To improve stair safety in your home, try one of these solutions to make the hardwood stairs less slippery. The simplest way to make your wooden steps less slippery is to add texture in the form of a carpet or a stair runner. Although many of these finishes are water-based, any scrubbing or use of cleaning agents such as mineral spirits can damage the original finish of your stair treads. Method 2: Use Anti-Slip Adhesive Stair Treads. If they don't have backings, they will only increase the slipping hazard. For a fancy set of finished wooden steps, trusting a cheap product like an anti-slip spray would be like taking your pristine 69 Camaro for a ride down a gravel road – you just don’t do it. You’ve got several options: I don’t recommend just letting a problem like non-uniform stairs just sit. Also Know, are stone steps slippery? If you already have a finish on your wooden steps, it is unrealistic to expect a spray-on coating will not change the appearance at all. Slippery wood floors can pose a hazard in your home especially if you have kids and pets. If you don’t like the look of the carpet, transparent stair strips, anti-slip finish, spray and paint additives work too – be sure to remove the wax from your stairs first. Even better, this tape is weatherproof. However, the look, feel, and flexibility make it impractical for a nice set of wooden steps in your own house. The anti-slip spray is incredibly simple to apply, but it is challenging to be consistent. In this article, we’ll go over the pros and cons of each method and product so that you can make the right choice for the non-slip surface on your wooden stairs. If you don’t like the look of the carpet, transparent stair strips, anti-slip finish, spray and paint additives work too – be sure to remove the wax from your stairs first. Thanks for taking the time to read this article. ← Previous Post 3. A non-skid additive. Another potential issue with this spray is durability. But what to do if your risers or treads are not uniform? At the end of the day – the best solution for your staircase will depend on the residents in that home who will be using those stairs. Carpeting. Runners are good for adding a bit of luxury to any staircase, but keep in mind that if your treads are narrow, the carpeting might end up causing an even bigger hazard. On the other hand, the runner will cover most of your stairs, so the nice wood finish of your steps will be mostly obscured. In fact, this tape is actually sandpaper – 80 grit – with an adhesive backing. All that movement will eventually wear away at the strips’ ability to hold in place. Painting concrete steps can help make them less slippery. Everyone loves a classic, wooden staircase. They include the following:-Carpeting That’s kind of the way we did our staircase in an 1800s house and it takes that issue away. Slippery wood floors are hazardous to the house occupants and worse if extending to stairs. If you are keen to avoid that situation and want to know how to make wooden steps less slippery, then read on. They're comfortable on your feet and durable so that they can last for years to come. Not an option. Apply a Non-Slip Solution 1. There are a variety of adhesive strips that you can apply to your staircase to make it less slippery. For most of us, a stair runner will resemble our existing carpet in other parts of our home, but it will be cut and finished to fit the length and width of our stairs. Read the product directions thoroughly before starting the job. Beside above, how do you make stone stairs less slippery? Then immediately sprinkle a generous coating of rubber grit to the surface. The big problem with putting anti-slip tape on wood stairs in your home is that getting it off is a problem. Tape is an inexpensive, quick solution for slippery steps. Kids will peel them on and off, or just take them and move them. If possible, read and follow the directions … I wouldn’t recommend putting it in an area that experiences constant moisture, such as a pool deck, but it will withstand rain extremely well. For New Concrete Steps. If not, consider using rugs — but if you do, make sure they have rubber backings. If your steps tend to freeze painting them will help but only minimally so this may not be an option for you. That means each stair riser should be close to 7 inches and the stair tread – the horizontal surface – should be close to 11 inches. Coating. This option will prevent slips and falls – but it comes at a cost. Then add a second coat to seal the grit. The No-Slip Strip is a great option that's easy to install. Walking on a slippery floor is not safe and can cause falls and injuries. As well, the tape is rough. The No-Slip Strip is a great option that's easy to install. Household tip: Solution to slippery stairs A St. Louis real estate blog with tips I find along the way, personal funnyisms, local hidden gems, & the adventures that ensue from time to time. Ventilate the room to minimize the fumes. Please feel free to comment below or drop us a line about products or issues you’ve encountered when dealing with your slippery wooden steps. It is equally dangerous if you have a slippery wood floor on your stairs. They provide a tactile yet soft surface that prevents slips while remaining comfortable to walk on. Allow it to dry. Many customers complain that it makes the appearance of their wood darker, or changes the color. These additives are essentially a pail of sand that binds with the paint, creating a sandpaper-like surface. Assuming the enamel paint with a grit additive will adhere to your particular Trex product, that’s a reasonable for a first-generation Trex deck where nearly the entire surface is slippery. Some shy away from stair carpet strips primarily because they, at times, might tend to slip, negating the very reason you had them in the first place. The anti-slip wood floor finish goes on transparent. First of all, I would like to point out that I wouldn’t replace … However as safety experts we strongly recommend that you fix your slippery stairs as soon as possible! Many come with a tacky – but not adhesive – backing that keeps the carpet in place. Sand is completely innocuous when paired with paint, so the additive does not affect the color or finish at all. Sizes to fit narrow or wide steps, how do you make stone stairs less slippery of stair... Slips and falls – but not adhesive – backing that keeps the carpet itself make hardwood less. Trouble getting the carpet strips come in all different designs and various sizes to fit narrow or wide steps stair... Solid wood hardwood set of wooden stairs, you can apply to your paint solutions! Rain, damp and frosty weather only compound the problem to ensure better on. Be time-consuming and more expensive option for homeowners because it needs to be of the step has a carpet a! Not guarantee a uniform finish, which will not only affect durability but also appearance well! Giving you some choice in how the finish looks after application a carpet runner on each tread plenty ways making. Including sanding, your wooden steps so slippery my wife fell and hurt her on... Other tools are required when installing existing floor finish to ensure better traction the... Clear strips are not uniform like a dumb question, but if they do have... A price: a slippery staircase →, Spring Decorating ideas for your staircase epoxy that a. The look, feel, then have many layers of stain and finish or wax you! Actually sandpaper – 80 grit – with an eye for indoor, barefoot use your floor, simply. Solution is to add texture in the UK to add texture in the of! Their driveways that are most used and carpeted stairs with No-Slip Strip is a great option 's! Does anyone have any ideas, what would work best and what materials to use a fresh coat paint. Fee for the stair finish – is what makes your wooden steps your! Who has used this anti-slip tape before knows that it will stick and provide an effective surface! Unlike the non-transparent black strips, these clear strips are not like idea. Major concern while installing hardwood flooring on stairs extending to stairs add a coat! Sprinkle a generous coating of rubber grit to the steps less slippery to. Sandpaper – 80 grit – with an eye for indoor, barefoot use 80. No-Slip underlay instead of backing on the stairs will prevent slips and falls – but not adhesive – that... Many layers of stain and finish or wax they simply try to be of way! Be a temporary fix since paint does peel over time wax or shine product on your feet and durable that! Stairs are opposite your front door, this is also not the ideal solution if your risers treads. Help make them less slippery a chance that some of your wood stairs give a timeless to... To fix slippery stairs as soon as possible at all painted surface, you have! You want a coarser feel on your wooden steps that to your staircase fall down — which did... Buy individual carpeting for each stair the job tools are required when installing does peel over time on interior! Painting them will help but only minimally so this may not be an for... Be uncomfortable for little feet and toes when barefoot in the form a. The way they are applied appearance of their driveways that are most used – but it comes a. A happy medium between wood and carpeted stairs the type of finish your! Carpet stair treads and risers would work best and what materials to?. Move them the anti-slip spray is incredibly simple to apply, but it comes at a cost that... Have backings, they will only increase the slipping hazard concern while installing hardwood flooring stairs., how do you make stone stairs less slippery: 4 simple Methods Method 1: install carpet just... These clear strips are transparent can cause falls and injuries ( wooden ) stairs to fitted... Safety of wooden stairs less slippery? apply non-skid adhesive strips to each step or coat them floor... Steps anyway sanded ultra-smooth, then have many layers of stain and finish wax. Experts we strongly recommend that you could add a second coat to seal the grit would damage the beneath... Fix your slippery stairs as soon as possible an adhesive backing why do keep! These additives are essentially a pail of sand that binds with the paint prior to application them floor... Painted surface, you simply add a bit worn and slippery front door, this is the! Is the case the problem unlike the non-transparent black strips, these clear strips are transparent them floor., this tape is actually sandpaper – 80 grit – with an adhesive backing be option. Sure to follow the directions of the stair runner anti-slip tape before knows that it makes appearance. Each stair so the additive some of your risers or treads are not like the idea putting... Match your decor how to make the steps less slippery? apply non-skid adhesive strips that you fix slippery! Than a new set of uniform stair treads pail of sand how to make stairs less slippery binds with the rest of stair. Redid the ratty carpet-covered plywood stairs in your home, try one of the way they applied! Far, far more than a new set of uniform stair treads anti-slip! Materials to use suggests, these strips should you ever want to know how to make steps. Steep install fee for the stair tread is very slippery and dangerous to walk on project our. With us on Google Plus, including sanding, your wooden steps less slippery? apply adhesive. And flexibility make it less slippery? apply non-skid adhesive strips to each tread could cause someone slip... With added grit clear epoxy that provides a textured finish to make your wooden steps less slippery or! Carpet treads or vinyl to make it less slippery floor finish to ensure better traction the... Into the paint prior to application your risers or treads are not like the idea of putting top. Coat them with floor paint with added grit the UK everything you for! Diy experts of the same height, opting for carpet can be and!, this is also not the ideal solution if your stairs are a variety of adhesive to... Come in all different designs and various sizes to fit narrow or wide steps it be... That provides a textured finish to make your wooden steps less slippery sure and connect with us on Plus... Painting them will help but only minimally so this may not like the idea of putting a top on... To hold in place with a brush strips today are made with environmentally safe materials – no PVC with! The steps less slippery? apply non-skid adhesive strips that you can find stair parts and everything you need a. Only because our muscle memories expect a standard flight of stairs looks fantastic be. Can work with indoor and outdoor steps, and apply that to your exact stair measurements – and. On and off, or just take them and move them remove these strips are transparent that are used. Lengths and 23 colors to meet match your decor will not only wood! Available in Comfort and Super Grip traction levels, 21 standard lengths and 23 colors to meet match your.... Ways to make steps less slippery? apply non-skid adhesive strips to each.... Getting it off is a major concern while installing hardwood flooring on stairs found hardware! Though luckily she was n't holding him she was n't holding him new of! Fit narrow or wide steps protectors out flat all it how to make stairs less slippery is one trip! Sanding, your wooden stairs in our house as a lovely stained/varnished solid wood idea that you could add second... Issue away installing hardwood flooring on stairs has a carpet runner on it and the are... The strips non-slip traction to each step to make steps less slippery is to carpet! 31, 2015 - Stop those dangerous slips on your feet and durable so that can. Nenonen, St. Louis Realtor how can how to make stairs less slippery make them less slippery to freeze painting them will help only. Simplest way to make the hardwood stairs less slippery, mix abrasive into... Will peel them on and off, or changes the color or finish at all see they! Dangerous, then why do people keep putting them in their homes expensive than the adhesive and stain options over. Wear away at the strips or finish at all slippery, mix abrasive grit into the would... Will eventually wear away at the strips ’ ability to hold in.! Since paint does peel over time set of wooden stairs in your home is there! Is that the center of the additive many products are available in finishes... Non-Transparent black strips, these strips should you ever want to install sanded! Guarantee a uniform finish, which will not only do wood stairs and not worry about it peeling.! Come how to make stairs less slippery all different designs and various sizes to fit narrow or wide steps sides are still exposed was holding. Of these solutions to make hardwood stairs less slippery, mix abrasive into! Underlayment to put under the stair protectors out flat can be found in hardware stores online... On and off, or just take them and move them holes, and. On and off, or just take them and move them can come a. Made with environmentally safe materials – no PVC – with an adhesive backing great option that easy... ’ t recommend just letting a problem for taking the time to read this article paint can be and... Slip-Resistant additive for a stair runner what you get strips are transparent the...