Safe Tread anti-slip decking strips are your low-cost solution to dangerous slippery decking
Wooden decking has been a staple for outdoor spaces for decades. When properly looked after, it’s extremely strong and naturally resistant to rot, decay, moisture, and UV damage, making it a perfect solution for external decking.
However, as the weather turns damp, wet and frosty, wooden decking is prone to becoming very slippery, leading to a higher risk of accidents and injuries. Whether it’s a domestic, commercial, or industrial environment, ensuring a non-slip solution should be a top priority.
There are a range of products which claim to provide slip-proof decking, but these often vary widely in pricing, maintenance, and ease of use, making it difficult to know which option is best. Many people turn to either anti-slip decking strips, non-slip paint, or anti-slip tape, but what’s your best option?
Safe Tread Non-Slip Strips
Safe Tread anti-slip decking strips are relatively permanent additions to decking. Decking strips are screwed or glued down using a specialist adhesive, directly into the decking and applied at regular intervals, providing a quick and easy solution for improving safety.
The strips are made from either fine or medium grit aggregate, mixed with hardwearing GRP (fibreglass) to ensure a long-lasting and resilient product, and area available either un-drilled or pre-drilled, supplied with the required screws free of charge.
Application: Easy, some tools required
Dry Time: None (with screws) / ~2 hours (with adhesive)
Re-application required: Lifetime (guaranteed for a min. of 10 years)
Cost per m2: £50-60
Lifetime Cost (+15 years) per m2: £50-60
Other uses: Concrete, asphalt/tarmac, natural stone, and wood
Pros
Can be fitted in minutes, and requires little (if any) surface preparation
A range of colour options, can be made to a specific colour
Range of widths and lengths available, can be cut to specific size
Cons
Designed as a permanent solution. If using adhesive, difficult to remove
Requires a higher initial investment
Difficult to install without basic knowledge of tools
Non-Slip Paint
Non-slip paint or other treatments like anti-slip decking stains and oils usually include an aggregate that creates a non-slip texture. Many are aimed at low-traffic or domestic homes, so if you’re looking for an anti-slip decking paint for use in a commercial or industrial environment, you’ll need to ensure that it’s approved for use by the manufacturer.
Non-slip paint will require some extra prep – you’ll need to ensure the decking is clean and free from loose dirt and debris. Any previous paints or treatments will need to be sanded down to ensure no flaking or bubbling is present, and many anti-slip paints will require an additional primer or sealant.
Application: Roller application, dry weather dependant
Dry Time: 12-24 hours, usually 2-3 coats
Re-application required: 6-12months
Cost per m2: £10-20 Lifetime
Cost (+15 years) per m2: £200-450
Other uses: Concrete, asphalt/tarmac, natural stone, and wood
Pros
Great way to rejuvenate old or tired looking wood
Full coverage
Attractive finish
Cons
Labour intensive in prep and recoating
Short-term solution, requires continuing maintenance
Paint can be more susceptible to water pooling, trapping moisture in the wood and reducing its lifespan
Anti-Slip Tape
Unlike non-slip strips, anti-slip tape offers a less permanent solution. Gritted adhesive tape can easily be stuck down to problem areas, although it’s worth noting that the adhesive on the tape will degrade over time and will need to be re-applied every 1-2 years.
It’s important to apply when the deck is completely dry following thorough cleaning of dirt and debris to ensure best results – the tape won’t work well if applied to damp or damaged decking and is known to suffer from peeling and warping.
Application: Easy, no tools required.
Dry Time: None
Re-application required: 1-2 years
Cost per m2: £10-15
Lifetime Cost (+15 years) per m2: £70-140
Other uses: Concrete, asphalt/tarmac, natural stone, and wood
Pros
Low upfront cost
Once removed you don’t need to re-prime, though some re-edging may be required
Easily cleaned with hot soapy water
Cons
Removal can be fiddly and may require the use of harsh solvents
Short term option, will require continued re-application
If left in situ too long, tape can lift, causing additional trip hazards
To summarise…
All options will require some simple maintenance throughout the autumn and winter seasons. Regularly removing leaves and other wet debris from decking will stop the build-up of contaminates, which left alone, can continue to exacerbate the issue.
Where gritted paint, grip tape, or matting offer only a short-term solution to the problem and need to be repeated at regular intervals, antislip decking strips are a long-term solution which offer an easy, durable, and low-maintenance option for both residential and commercial decking.
For further information on Safe Tread Anti Slip Decking Strips, click here.
