During the winter or wet seasons, navigating outdoor areas can be extremely dangerous. Anti-slip Decking Strips are an easy-to-use product that can prevent dangerous conditions on slippery decks, stairs, and walkways. These strips offer a dependable, long-lasting, and frequently surprisingly inexpensive method of turning slick surfaces into safe walkways.
Recognizing the Issue: The Risk of Wet as well as Icy Surfaces
We must first recognize the seriousness of the issue before moving on to the solution. Concrete, composite, and pressure-treated wood are examples of smooth decking materials that provide little natural traction. These surfaces become dangerously slippery when they are covered in water, frost, or ice. The likelihood of slipping and falling, which can result in severe injuries like sprains, dislocations, or head trauma, is significantly increased by this condition.
The Operation of Anti-Slip Decking Strips in the Traction Science
Surface imperfections and drainage are the two main ways that anti-slip strips increase safety.
A high-quality strip’s top surface has an aggressive, rough texture that is frequently caused by embedded abrasives such as silicon carbide and aluminum oxide. The sharp particles can make firm contact with shoes even in the presence of a thin layer of water, giving them instant grip.
Additionally, a lot of high-end strips have elevated profiles or drainage channels. Water and slush can flow away below the foot’s connection thanks to this ingenious design. Even in the event of intense rain or active melting, these strips keep direct contact and dependable traction by preventing hydroplaning, which occurs when a layer of water raises the shoe off the surface.
Important Materials and Their Benefits
The material composition of the strip is a major factor in choosing the best one because each has unique advantages.
Tape with Abrasive Grit
It is the most prevalent and affordable kind. It is made up of a layer of incredibly hard mineral grit.
on top of a sturdy adhesive backing.
- Ideal For: Places with moderate foot traffic, ramps, and wooden steps.
- Advantages: Available in different grit coarseness levels, inexpensive, and simple to install because of the peel-and-stick backing.
- Cons: In high-traffic areas, the grit may wear down, and the adhesive may deteriorate over several seasons in extreme weather.
Durable Rubber Using Grit Inlays
These Anti Slip Decking Strips have an abrasive particle molded or integrated into the surface of a sturdy rubber or PVC base.
- Ideal For: Composite decking, pool decks, and commercial entrances with heavy traffic.
- Pros: Frequently it has drainage channels, is incredibly durable, and offers great cushioning underfoot. They are incredibly resilient to severe weather and heavy use.
- Cons: More expensive up front and possibly more complicated to install.
Steel or Aluminum with an Abrasive Coating
- Ideal For: Chemical- or oil-exposed areas, marina docks, industrial settings, and fire escapes.
- Advantages: Capable of withstanding vehicle traffic, corrosion-resistant, and the strongest option available.
- Cons: Most expensive, difficult to walk on, and frequently needs mechanical speeding.
Important Advantages: Not Just Slip Prevention
The benefits of applying anti-slip strips go beyond their obvious primary purpose.
- Year-Round Safety: They offer vital traction in rain, initial dew, and near pools in addition to ice and snow.
- Maintenance of Deck Surfaces: You shield your underneath decking from gouges, scratches, and general weathering by focusing wear on the reusable strips.
- Enhanced Visibility: A lot of strips are available in high-visibility hues like safety green, orange, or yellow. This visual cue enhances safety in low light by clearly defining step edges along with hazard zones.
Maintenance and Installation: Maintaining Long-Term Effectiveness
The longevity and efficacy of a strip depend on proper installation.
Steps for Installation:
The most important step is surface preparation. The surface needs to be totally dry, clean, and devoid of any old adhesive, grease, or wax. After using a stiff brush and degreaser, give it a thorough rinse and let it dry for at least a day. Read This
- Planning and Measuring: Make sure the strips cover the entire width of any stairs or important walkway sections when designing the layout. For stairs, the distance between each strip and the step’s nose should be approximately one inch.
- Application: For sticky strips, remove the backing and use firm, even pressure to press the section firmly in place from one side to the other. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using mechanical fasteners or the suggested exterior-grade construction adhesive for rubber or metal strips.
- Curing Time: To enable the bond to reach its maximum strength, especially in colder climates, keep all traffic away from adhesive strips for at least 24 to 48 hours.
