Everyone like using wooden staircases. They enhance the elegance of your home’s décor and are simple to clean. However, their slickness is the only drawback. Consequently, there is a chance that you will lose your balance.
Add texture to your hardwood steps by adding a carpet or stair runner for the quickest way to make them less slippery. Anti-slip finishes, sprays, and paint additives also help if you don’t like how the carpet looks.
Excitingly! it may be inexpensive and simple to install slip-proofing systems for your steps. We’ll review each technique and product in this post to help you choose the best option for the less slippery hardwood stairs.
Table of Contents
Is Walking On Slippery Stairs Dangerous?
A beautifully constructed flight of hardwood stairs looks amazing. Visitors frequently see your steps when entering your home if they are opposite your front door. They must be ultra-smooth sanded before receiving numerous coats of stain, finish, or wax to make the treads gleam.
The bright polish causes the slippery nature of your wooden steps. To increase traction, you could sand the treads of your stairs with coarse sandpaper, but this would remove the polish from the treads and make them look quite bad.
Ways To Fix Slippery Wooden Stairs
Carpeted Runners And Treads
The most popular method for making stairwells less slippery is to install carpet. To the outside of your steps, the carpet offers traction. In addition, it may be a beautiful addition to your home’s interior design. To cover the breadth of your steps, you need stair runners. However, avoid going across each one completely.
Each stair tread’s whole depth, as well as its entire width, is carpeted. They guard against the wood’s degradation. They reduce noise, provide a lovely appearance, and lessen slipping hazards on your staircase.
If you decide to go with carpet, another option is carpet stair treads. Individual carpet pieces called carpet stair treads can be put on each step separately. Fear not; carpets won’t damage hardwood surfaces. Similar to how they don’t damage tiled surfaces.
Use Anti-Slip Strips
The finest solutions are adhesive, clear anti-slip strips for several reasons. First and foremost, thanks to these strips, you can still see your lovely, completed wood steps. These transparent strips are what their name implies.
Even a roller for installation is provided with some goods. The strip will become air bubble-free and match the remainder of the stair tread once the roller removes any excess air from it. Today’s transparent anti-slip strips are created from eco-friendly materials.
These translucent strips are unlike sandpaper, in contrast to the opaque black strips. They offer a textured, soft surface that deters slips while still cozy to walk on.
Focus On Stairs Building Codes
Old stairs that don’t adhere to current building requirements are more prone to cause accidents. You’re endangering the safety of your household residents and yourself if your steps aren’t deep enough.
The best thing to do would be to measure each dimension and ensure your stairs comply with current regulations if you reside in an older house or have suspicions that something might be amiss.
It is not easy to comprehend and adhere to the existing building regulations. Consult a certified contractor if you are unsure.
Add Non-Slip Additives To Paint
Sand is all that non-slip paint additives are—a pail of sand that adheres to the paint. A surface like sandpaper is produced. When used with paint, sand is completely safe. The color or finish is therefore unaffected by the addition.
You can also choose how much anti-slip agent is added to your paint. Use less of the additive to give your surface a ridged texture. If you are looking for a denser or thick look, add the entire bucket or container.
This product will be used in conjunction with paint. Therefore, you won’t need to consider how it will impact the finish on your wooden steps. The timber beneath the grit eventually deteriorates. Your hardwood steps would need to be refinished to remove the paint. If you want to paint your steps, there is no better solution than the non-slip color additive.
Paint additives are a great slip-proofing option for painted hardwood surfaces. The degree of grit can be changed by combining nicely with a wide range of paints. It takes a while to paint your staircase. Once it has been applied, it can be very difficult to remove.
Make Stairs Treads Anti-Slip With Adhesive
Since commercial treads have a harsh, sandpaper-like texture that would rip your feet apart, black anti-slip adhesive or tape won’t look good on stairs Treads. Fortunately, many businesses produce transparent anti-slip adhesive treads for domestic usage, which you can install by simply rolling the treads’ sticky side across each step.
By slightly roughening up the surface of each stair, these anti-slip treads efficiently prevent slips. However, it is very cozy for bare feet. The texture offers just enough friction to prevent slips. Remove the paper backing from each step, set them about an inch from each stair’s edge, and use the provided roller to smooth down any air bubbles.
Conclusion
Check each stair’s tread level before choosing one of the non-slip solutions for your hardwood stairs. You might need to consider installing new stairs if your current one slopes forward. Always adhere to the product’s instructions no matter which method you use to make your hardwood steps anti-slip.
Following the manufacturer’s specifications will guarantee that any product you select will look as it should and won’t detract from the aesthetics of your hardwood staircase.
