In the winter season, on the steps leading to the building, an ice crust forms, which seriously complicates the movement on them. As a rule, builders use materials such as marble, granite, etc. for steps, and their surface, when exposed to precipitation, begins to pose a danger. It becomes slippery and getting injured on such stairs becomes only a matter of time. Smooth steps inside the building also cannot be called absolutely safe.
To avoid incidents, building owners use anti-slip pads on the steps. This is the element of the design of the stairs, which is not worth saving. What he really is? This can be a strip made of an elastic material that is attached to a metal base. It is installed in place during the facing work, but it can always be fixed afterwards.
The main purpose of anti-slip pads on the steps is to protect people from getting injured as a result of slipping. They have one more task - protecting the surface of the steps from chips, cracks and scratches. For the manufacture of these products, as a rule, a material is used that resists the effects of better solar, temperature extremes and is immune to fire.
Types of linings, their advantages and disadvantages
The operational properties of the linings entirely and completely depend on what material they are made of.
Rubber
To guarantee safety when pedestrians are moving on a slippery surface, rubber is often used in the manufacture of pads. It should be characterized by high elasticity and prevent uncontrolled sliding.
In addition, the rubber from which the linings are made is resistant to temperature jumps. It does not lose its elasticity even at –50oC. At the moment when a person steps on it, it is pressed in and thereby creates an obstacle to slip.
Some rubber models at the manufacturing stage endow themselves with the property of self-cleaning. That is, even with a slight deformation, the film of ice cracks and breaks, preventing the formation of an ice crust.
Anti-slip rubber pads on the steps have another property that few people know about - high depreciation, that is, even if a person accidentally falls on a flight of stairs, the likelihood of serious injury is minimized.
Aluminum
On the basis of the aluminum profile produce combined pads. That is, an insert made of rubber or other non-slip material is installed in the profile. This design can be installed on the surface of the stage. Products of this form perfectly cope with the task of protecting pedestrians from uncontrolled slipping.
In addition to the traditional flat, the so-called L-shaped profiles are also on the market. This design is most often installed on stairs operated in places with high pedestrian traffic - for example, in the entrance group of stations and shopping centers.
Such a profile is able to protect not only the surface of the step, but also the riser.
The aluminum profile is mounted on the step using dowels and screws. As the rubber part wears out, it is replaced with a new one. As experience shows, this design can be attributed to the most reliable products of the class and therefore has found wide application.
Abrasive path
This group of anti-slip pads is made both in the form of adhesive rugs and tapes, on the surface of which abrasive particles are applied. There is another form of delivery of the abrasive track - roll. It allows you to get any form of anti-slip coating.
This material is used on stairs with a small load - for example, in private houses. In addition to the strips, manufacturers mastered the production of mixtures, which are simply applied to a previously designated place. After it dries, the problem section of the flight of stairs is ready for operation.
Non-slip mats
These rugs not only protect pedestrians from falling on slippery steps. They also collect dirt from the shoes of people moving along the flight of stairs. In addition, carpet made from carpet can become elements of interior design.
Floor mats can be made integral. For example, cast from polymers in which the working surface is in the form of spikes or other elements that increase the anti-slip effect. The back (carrier) side is usually smooth, it is attached to the step.
There are also versions when the base made of rubber is coated with formulations with the advantage of containing abrasive chips. Rugs for stairs can be fixed in place using adhesive compounds or clamping strips and fasteners.
Self adhesive tape
Many manufacturers have mastered the production of self-adhesive tapes, intended to prevent slipping. They consist of several layers. Putting glue from rubber on a polymeric basis. To preserve it, an adhesive film is used. Coarse grain abrasive is applied on the outside of the tape and is black.
The abrasive layer also provides an anti-skid effect. The width of such a tape lies in the range of 25-50 mm, and the length is about 180 mm. This tape maintains operability at temperatures from –29 to +60oC - that is, it is permissible to use it in almost any climatic conditions.
Which is better to choose
What criteria can be followed when choosing a pad for mounting on a ladder? The type of lining is determined by the intended cross. It’s one thing if it’s a staircase at the metropolitan railway station and a little different - a flight of stairs in a museum.
In addition, it is necessary to take into account the mounting methods of the pads. Those products that can be installed on self-tapping screws or on adhesive tape can be safely installed in homes or small offices.
Pads made of aluminum profile and rubber insert, as a rule, are installed in crowded places - shopping centers, entertainment venues, etc. In such places it is permissible to use pads made of solid aluminum. This option is characterized by high resistance to wear and low price.
When choosing anti-slip pads, it is necessary to take into account their operational properties. Slips provide not only protection for pedestrians, but also the steps themselves from possible damage. This is especially important for staircases made of expensive marble or granite.
In addition, these products can act not only as part of the interior, but also as carriers of advertising information.
Thus, for public buildings you can recommend combined aluminum linings, and for a private house - self-adhesive tape.
Speaking about the latter, fluroluminescent, luminous ribbons have recently become widespread, which solve not only the role of the anti-slip surface, but also the backlight for the stairs, further increasing the safety of moving along it.
Rules and features of the installation
Anti-slip pads on the stairs can be installed using:
- applied to the surface of the adhesive composition;
- self-adhesive tape;
- clamping levels.
The procedure for installing pads is as follows.
First, markup is done. It can be done using a construction marker or duct tape. If trims or corners will be used when installing the overlays, it is necessary to indicate the places where it is necessary to make holes for the installation of fasteners. The distance between them should be between 35–40 mm.
Install the fasteners directly into the tile seam. If you plan to install a lining on an adhesive base, then it makes sense to use narrow construction tape instead of labels, which can indicate the boundaries of anti-slip tape. After installation, it can be simply removed.
Pads on the steps of a wooden staircase can be installed on the adhesive composition and fasteners. And if the staircase is made of concrete, then it is more advisable to use dowels.