How Do Rubber And Vinyl Stair Treads Compare?

A stair tread is the portion of a step or set of stairs that is walked on. These horizontal sections should be covered in a tread that prevents slipping and preserves the stairs. One of the most popular materials used for stair treads is rubber, as it offers slip resistance and traction.

How Do You Attach Rubber Stair Treads?

Where rubber stair treads are not all the same, some basic installation guidelines serve for all. Before going through the process of actually installing rubber stair treads, good preparation is imperative to ensure a good installation. Make sure to inspect the products for quality and potential defects. Keep the products in a suitable environment until beginning the installation process. Then, read complete installation instructions accompanied by each product and follow all instructions and guidelines.

The first step is to make sure the subflooring on the steps is smooth, firm, flat, clean, dry, free from defects, free from oil, free from paint and old adhesive, free from drywall compound, and free from any other chemical, residue, or foreign matter. If the existing steps show any imperfections, it is important to apply a suitable smoothing compound to ensure no irregularities show through to the surface of the finished floor. Each type of step or staircase may require additional or specific preparation, including -

Wooden Stairs: Must be smooth, flat, clean, and dry. They must be nailed securely and stable. Be certain to fill all cracks, deformations and depressions with a cement base patching compound. Make certain to thoroughly clean all steps thoroughly before installation of new material. Remove old glue and adhesives by mechanical means only.

Concrete Stairs: It is recommended to perform a bond test. Fill all cracks and imperfections with a cement-based patching compound. Prior to installing, power troweled, slick finished concrete steps must be sanded and roughened up. Curing compounds are mechanically removed, as they can prevent adhesives or sealers from forming a proper bond.

Steel Stairs: A wire brush should be used to clean the steps. Be certain to remove all rust, sealers, coatings, and contaminants.

Once the stairs are prepped completely and ready for installation, apply adhesive - either tape or glue - per product instructions. Once applied, position and place the tread onto the step, starting at the nose and pushing back and pressing down until it is in place. Then, roll it to ensure good adhesion. Make sure the treads fit tight to the nose and are adhered to the nose. Once the treads have been installed, roll again using a hand roller - pressing down firmly to make them extra secure. Make certain to remove any excessive adhesive immediately.

Once the installation is complete, sandbag any areas where needed to insure bond in seams, edges, or potential problem area. Keep all foot traffic off of the treads for at least 12 hours, and keep heavy foot traffic off for 24 hours. Don’t allow heavy equipment or rolling loads on the treads and don’t perform maintenance for a minimum of 72 hours.

Are Vinyl Stair Treads Slippery?

Although rubber is often a popular stair tread material, vinyl is another viable choice. Vinyl stair treads often employ molded patterns into their surfaces to add traction and anti-slip features. Any surface can become slightly slippery when wet, but good quality vinyl stair treads are manufactured in a way to prevent excess slippage.

Vinyl is not slippery when compared to many other surfaces, and it is affordable and easy to keep clean.