Clearing ice off porch steps often doesn't help because many brands of porcelain tile become slippery from even the smallest drops of water. What to do if it’s slippery on the street and how to solve the problem with budgetary funds?
To combat icing on stairs and improve home safety, many methods have been developed - from special products that provide high-quality adhesion to the surface, to overlays, the fastening of which also reliably prevents slipping.
Ignoring slippery stairs and sidewalks can result in serious injuries, and if you own a hazardous property, you can be held liable.
Features and characteristics of materials
The main raw material used for the production of anti-slip coatings is crumb rubber. It is obtained by processing discarded car tires. And for this purpose several methods are used. From simple mechanical treatment to ozonation and barodestruction.
For rugs and other coverings, particles with a fraction of up to 10 mm are selected. They are mixed with polyurethane-based compounds and various dyes are added. For production, the pressing method is used. Moreover, there is a hot and cold method.
Fine tire crumb Source sportgrass.kz
Rubber coatings from tire crumbs Source mrrestavrator.ru
Rubber covering for outdoor porches is a popular material. Its use is widespread, and its purpose is difficult to overestimate. All educational institutions and administrative buildings are provided with such cladding for dangerously slippery surfaces. The construction of playgrounds for children's games and sports cannot be done without it. It is also required to be located in the pool area.
The excellent properties and growing popularity of the material are also appreciated by private developers. Rubber products began to be used on house steps, garages and balconies. Even in agriculture, rubber tracks and mats have found useful applications.
The main task of a rubber product is to ensure the safety of people when crossing areas lined with materials with a smooth structure. Additionally, such cladding acts as protection for the same tile from impacts that could deform it.
Slippery winter stairs Source nationaljournal.com
Rubber overlay on the edge of the step Source parket-sale.ru
But the range of advantages of the material is truly wide:
- Some products can last up to 50 years.
- Seasonal natural changes are not scary due to high elasticity.
- Excellent resistance to friction and other mechanical influences.
- Has anti-shock properties.
- Thanks to the shock-absorbing properties, movement on the material becomes particularly comfortable.
- Not afraid of aggressive chemical influences. Resists acids, solvents, various salts and alkalis.
- Retains all its properties in the temperature range from -40 to +70 degrees Celsius.
- Fungus and mold are not able to take root on the material.
- When wet, it retains anti-slip properties, and ice formations in cold weather are rare, minimal and easy to remove.
- Versatility of use, both inside and outside the building.
- Easy to install and compatible with other materials.
- An unusually wide range of products, from the most budgetary samples to exclusive options that are not inferior to carpets.
In the latter case, the price of the product is very high, which many consider to be a disadvantage. But this is justified by excellent quality and magnificent appearance. As for the rest, every consumer can find something that he can afford. True, the most budget materials most often have an unattractive appearance.
Anti-slip pad for porch steps Source lestnitsa.org.ua
Black toxic smog emitted by burning rubber Source author.today
Finally
A wooden porch is a symbol of coziness, home warmth, comfort, and peace. Wood is easier to process. Even an inexperienced craftsman, knowing how to use a saw and a hammer, can make a porch for a country house in a few days. Wood allows you to diversify the shape of the threshold, railings, and balustrades.
This is possible if you take a responsible approach to the question of how to paint a wooden porch on the street. You will simultaneously solve problems with both design and protection from rot, mold, bugs, and garden pests. Savings are inappropriate here.
Do not deny yourself the pleasure of living comfortably in a country house. All that is needed for this is to paint the porch boards in a timely manner, protecting them from premature wear and destruction.
Rubber coating options
In addition to porous products made from crumb rubber, there are materials made from vulcanized rubber. They are produced monolithic and have a homogeneous structure, that is, they are homogeneous. Both types can be used either independently or in combination with other materials. For example, edging with metal profiles.
Installation of the products is quite simple. Basically, the porch covering is glued to the surface of the steps using polyurethane-based compounds. But in special cases there is a need to use dowels. This option is suitable for arranging high-quality material with a beautiful appearance. It is fixed for many years and is not going to be changed soon.
Rubber step overlay Source stroysystem.com
Rubber pad edged with steel profile Source semiver.com
There is the possibility of obtaining exclusive models. They differ in inscriptions. Many organizations order their logos on rubber coatings. And there is a special type of product with advertising on the surface. And you can even get a discount for purchasing a product with someone else’s brand.
Anti-slip treatment for porcelain stoneware
Ceramic granite is becoming an increasingly popular finishing material. Its appearance and performance characteristics are almost equal to those of natural stone. At the same time, the cost of porcelain tiles is much lower.
It is impossible to grind and burn porcelain stoneware, since it contains polymers that give the material viscosity. In addition, plasticizers are unstable to high temperatures. The coating can be made non-slip only with the help of special inserts. Cuts are made under them, which can be single or cover the entire surface of the steps.
steps
In rare cases, you can see the entire flight span consisting of monolithic rubber. It is used on a porch that experiences significant loads. As for the rest, separate overlays are produced for the steps, which are glued to the tread.
Rubber molding fits perfectly with any surface, be it concrete, wood, iron or even asphalt. Of course, the material fits well on any facing tile. Often the product has a small bend that wraps around part of the riser.
Cover with a bend for the riser Source kiensx.tomadamsforcongress.com
How to paint a porch correctly
The process itself is simple. But it requires surface preparation. Cracks are filled with putty; after drying, a wood primer is applied to improve adhesion to materials.
The antiseptic is applied with a fleecy roller or brush. Painting should be carried out on all elements: ends, railings, steps, racks, the boards themselves are painted on all sides. The tool usually used is a roller or brush.
Painting must be carried out on all elements.
Rubber tiles
A material that is gaining particular popularity. It is used not only for porch steps. Modular rubber tiles can be seen on the floors of garages. The paths around the pools are lined with it. And for finishing the area in front of the house, special rubber paving stones are even produced, repeating all possible shapes of concrete paving slabs.
The coating has standard dimensions, like its tiled counterparts - 50x50 cm. In rare cases, you can see specimens with parameters of 100x100 cm. The thickness of the tiles ranges from 10 to 45 mm. And the thinnest one is best suited for cladding the entrance porch.
Porch made of soft rubber tiles Source womanadvice.ru
Paving rubber tiles Source domsporta.com
Modular tiles consist of two layers. For the top one, finely divided rubber crumbs are selected and mixed with the desired pigment. The lower damping layer consists of large fractions and remains unpainted (black).
We can say that this tile has no analogues and it contains a number of unique properties, remaining:
- aesthetic;
- flexible;
- injury-proof;
- elastic;
- absorbing all sounds;
- with excellent shock absorption;
- protected from vibrations.
Each specimen has side fastenings (bushings) to facilitate installation. In addition, the material is easy to cut to the desired size.
Rubber tiles with bushings on the sides Source msk.det-ploshadka.ru
Results
In practice, a liquid anti-slip coating is often used. The material is suitable for finishing large areas, such as sports fields, large stairwells, running tracks, etc. The material is made from small quartz-granite particles. Can be applied to asphalt, concrete, marble, wood, metal. The color scheme will please even the most demanding consumer.
Recommended laying thickness is 2.5 mm. Drying time ranges from 50 to 120 minutes. This is the simplest material for finishing steps in terms of installation, and it is also easy to care for.
Roll coating
The material has a standard width of 1250 mm, and its thickness ranges from 6 to 13 mm. Excellent for staircases leading into administrative buildings. It is distributed over the entire required area, including steps. And they are secured using metal plates located at the bottom of the riser.
Rubber roll coverings for outdoors Source fitnesslook.ru
Rubber roll covering on the porch Source laminatepol.ru
But other uses are also possible. To save money, the roll is cut into pieces that cover each individual step. In this case, the prepared pieces are glued to the concrete base.
Installation recommendations
All anti-slip coatings are secured with adhesive, screws, clamping strips, or have a ready-made adhesive base. In any case, first mark the stairs using a pencil or marker, mark lines for tapes, tiles, and corners. If necessary, make holes for fasteners (usually at a distance of 3.5–4 cm from each other).
Important! The easiest way to glue the coating is if it has an adhesive base: you just need to remove the protective layer and apply the material to a clean base.
An anti-slip coating on a wooden staircase is most often attached to polyurethane glue. For concrete steps, concrete self-tapping screws are used, and if they are ineffective, dowels are used, which prevent the hardware from jumping out of the groove.
Installation of anti-slip strips
If installed correctly, anti-slip materials will serve for many years and will bring real benefits to owners and guests.
Seamless option
Porch coverings can be made completely monolithic. There is a special technology for this, which is performed in two ways. The more expensive method is carried out by spraying and requires special equipment. Another option involves manual work, which you can do yourself or entrust to a master.
Rubber covering on the porch, made using seamless technology Source vsenasklade.ru
Rubber application by spraying Source gidrocor.ru
The method is suitable for both internal and external use. But in the latter case, work must be carried out in dry weather, with an air temperature not lower than +5 degrees Celsius. And to create the mixture, you need to mix 12 kg of crumb rubber with 3.4 kg of polyurethane glue and add 1 kg of the desired pigment.
Coating technology:
- The porch surfaces are thoroughly cleaned of dirt.
- A primer is mixed, for which polyurethane glue and turpentine are taken in equal proportions.
- The steps are primed and time is given for the composition to dry completely. The expiration date is indicated on the glue packaging.
- The working mixture is prepared in the following sequence. Pour the crumbs into the container and mix thoroughly to break up the lumps. Continuing the movements, pigment is introduced. When the painting is finished, add glue and mix the mixture for another three minutes.
- The composition is evenly applied to the surface with a spatula.
- Using a roller dipped in kerosene, the laid mass is rolled tightly.
Within a day, the resulting smooth coating can be used. And the main advantage of this method is that any surface can be treated this way. From smooth planes to curved rough spheres. The finished coating is easy to clean and water does not accumulate on it.
Seamless self-leveling coating made from crumb rubber Source regionoperator.ru
Tamping rubber crumbs using a seamless method Source mrrestavrator.ru
Universal anti-slip products
Universal products that provide reliable anti-slip protection are the easiest option to ensure safety, which is suitable if it is slippery on the street, and which does not require any special work. The use of these means does not violate the integrity of the structure and the profile of the steps.
How to make steps not slippery, but reliable and safe, while maintaining their appearance:
- Synthetic fluids, the main principle of operation of which is to create a silicon layer from many microcones that provide the required roughness. The advantage of this method is its versatility, which allows the use of an anti-slip agent on almost any type of surface. Disadvantages include higher prices compared to cheaper materials based on abrasive chips;
- A cheap and unpretentious option for covering already icy steps is ordinary coarse sand. Its main disadvantage is that it is carried by shoes and quickly pollutes the room. It also wears off quite quickly and is blown off the surface by the wind, and therefore requires constant updating of the coating;
- Salt is a popular and effective method of de-icing; however, in addition to dissolving the ice, it has an extremely negative effect on shoes, leaving hard-to-wash white stains on them, as well as destroying the outer coating, which reduces their service life;
- Another universal anti-slip agent for covering stairs using water, alcohol and any dishwashing detergent. By dissolving 100 grams of alcohol in two liters of water and adding a little degreaser (about ten drops), you will get an effective tool for combating already formed ice. For practicality of use, it can be poured into bottles, from which you can then water the stairs as needed. The advantage of this solution is that the ice will not only become non-slip, but will completely disappear from the surface, saving you from the work of mechanically cleaning it.
Overlays and corners
If the decoration of the porch is rich and splendid, then it would be a pity to hide such beauty even under the best covering. But, in order to protect pedestrians, only the very edges of the steps can be treated. This will be enough to prevent you from slipping on the stairs.
Aluminum anti-slip profile with rubber insert Source kantiere.ru
Rubber strip on the edge of the step Source protect.rf
There are special corner pads that are secured with self-tapping screws, having previously prepared holes for them. You can also glue a narrow rubber strip to the edge of the step. It will not allow your foot to ride on a slippery surface and will not spoil the overall appearance.
Video description
That video demonstrates the behavior of steps made of wood not under a canopy 2 years after treatment with a composition containing oils and wax:
It is worth noting that in some recommendations there is a mention of used engine oil. In the case of a porch, it is better to refuse such a decision. This is justified by a number of significant shortcomings. The unpleasant odor of the material persists because it does not dry completely. For the same reason, when water gets on the treated steps and floor, the surface becomes slippery. The color of the base becomes close to gray-brown. Machine oil is also flammable, which is not safe for flammable wood.
Behavior of wood after treatment with used machine oil Source yandex.net
Rugs
The easiest way to deal with slippery surfaces. Rubber mats come in different sizes. From small strips on each step to a covering that occupies a large area in front of the front door. Additionally, the products help get rid of dirt on shoes. But there are options when such a simple element can even act as decoration.
Decorative rubber mats for porch steps Source ca.news.yahoo.com
Slippery steps: what to do with the stairs
2019-08-01T14:54:43+03:00 In what ways today can you effectively and quickly solve the problem of slippery steps and porch stairs? Especially in autumn and winter, when smooth surfaces become especially dangerous. Of course, this is the use of all kinds of anti-slip devices and coatings on slippery surfaces.
There are several materials that can be used to cover the porch and stairs to prevent slipping. As a rule, these types of anti-slip coatings can be installed on concrete, metal, ceramic, marble, granite and even wooden porches. In addition, they are waterproof, heat-resistant and can be used both inside and outside buildings.
So, let's look at the most common ones and find out their pros and cons.
Aluminum corners and tile trims with removable rubber inserts
The tile pads have an aluminum base into which an anti-slip rubber insert is inserted. They are attached between or under the tiles directly when laying them. By the way, a slippery porch becomes quite safe when using these materials. Pros: reliable installation, easily replaceable rubber inserts, durable. Disadvantages: labor-intensive installation process, technological difficulties with repairing and replacing aluminum parts, minor protrusions on the surface at fastening points.
How to cover the porch: an alternative solution
Well, what to do if none of the above listed anti-slip coatings suits you, due to not completely covering the surface of the steps? Undoubtedly, in this case steps, slabs, etc. will help you. As you know, these materials consist of recycled rubber tires and a polyurethane binder.
By the way, they are attached with help and can completely cover the entire step. Perhaps, the entrance from the street using such a coating will be the safest of all available types of anti-slip coatings.
Pros: reliable, easy installation, covers the entire step and protects it from chips and damage, durability, evenness of the coating, wide selection of colors, maintainability, safety from injuries. Cons: high price.
You might be interested in:
- Typically, the most beautiful and durable porch materials are also the slipperiest. The most dangerous weather for such coatings is changeable weather - when water freezes abruptly without having time to dry and evaporate. On such days, steps become a headache for every owner, because on a slippery porch it is very easy to fall and get injured. This situation applies not only to private households, but also to children's institutions, municipal institutions, shops and entertainment centers. Anti-slip coating is what is designed to save people from injury. Today, there is a huge selection of porch materials that will make your steps both safe and beautiful.
Learn more about anti-slip products
It was said above that there are many different means by which slippery wooden stairs become safe:
- Dye. When choosing a similar covering for steps, you need to choose the interior design style and attributes. It is best to choose oil paint. This is due to the fact that drying oil can penetrate deeply into the wood, maximally protecting it from negative influences. Paint is an ideal option, since, in addition to its anti-slip function, if there are cracks or imperfections, you can easily eliminate them by simply painting them over.
- Varnish. If you are wondering: “Slippery stairs, what to do?”, opt for varnish. With its help, you can not only eliminate slipping, but also emphasize the advantages of a wooden structure and its texture. Popular varnish products include:
- oily varnish (contains artificial and natural resin, sandarac, shellac, alcohol);
- alkyd;
- nitrocellulose (used as a coating for pine and oak structures; a distinctive feature is the formation of an anti-slip film);
- polyester;
- polyurethane.
Don't know what to paint your stairs to prevent them from slipping? When choosing a varnish, be sure to consider the type of wood. Coniferous species are coated with opaque varnish, while oak and beech species are coated with transparent products.
- Stain. Slippery stairs in a house are a real problem and can result in injury to residents. An excellent solution to the problem is a stain that has antiseptic, fireproof, and anti-slip properties. Often used together with paints and varnishes.
- Paste. An unconventional method of eliminating slipping. The paste contains beeswax and linseed oil.
What qualities should anti-slip protection have?
First of all, the coating that prevents a person from falling must ensure good adhesion of the soles of shoes to the steps. But that's not all, there are a few more important points:
- since the porch is located outside the building, materials for outdoor use are needed;
- the coating must work normally at different temperatures;
- be resistant to freezing;
- have a low moisture absorption coefficient, water should leave the steps freely and quickly;
- easy to install and serve for a long time;
- ensure injury safety.
Important! One of the main indicators is the strength of the coating and abrasion resistance. These factors are especially important for entrance groups with high traffic.
What provides the anti-slip effect
To achieve porch safety, several methods are used. Among them, the most common are:
- Construction of a porch from anti-slip material.
- Cover the existing base with non-slip tiles, mats or spray.
- Rubber treads overlapping the steps.
- Braking strips, linings, profiles, corners.
In each individual case, the most appropriate option is selected. This takes into account the cost of the coating, its characteristics, the purpose of the building and other factors. Most often, the owner of the house is interested in the aesthetic component, especially when the porch is built from expensive, beautiful material (marble, granite, wood). Modern anti-slip materials fully meet this requirement - they do not interfere with the aesthetics and style of the building.
Types of overlays
They produce anti-slip coating on the porch in the form of narrow strips from materials such as rubber, rubber, PVC, and abrasive-coated tapes. They can be combined with anodized aluminum profile.
Image | Description |
Ribbed strips on a self-adhesive base can be easily attached with your own hands to the horizontal edge of the steps. | |
L-shaped overlays for finishing the edges of treads. |
Source: https://xn--86-dlcaicfy2bts.xn--p1ai/stroitelstvo/kak-zakrepit-kovrik-na-krylce.html
Anti-slip coating on porch steps: many ways to make them safe
Everyone knows firsthand how slippery the steps of a street porch can be after rain or snowfall. And some people even fell on them and received injuries. To protect yourself and your household or guests from such troubles, it is worth investing in anti-slip coating on the porch steps.
There are several types of materials capable of performing such a protective function. All of them will be described in this article, and all you have to do is choose the appropriate option.
Structurally, all types of such coatings can be divided into two types: the first in the form of narrow strips, strips and profiles and the second in the form of continuous coatings.
- Tape overlays Types of overlays
- How to choose
- Installation methods
Scope of use
Non-slip facing material has a wide range of applications. Most tiles are used indoors or under canopies, but there are also some that are perfect for use in open spaces.
Most often, non-slip ceramic tiles are needed for finishing:
- bathrooms and showers;
- hallways;
- balconies and terraces;
- summer kitchen premises.
Porcelain tiles have found application in cladding:
- hallways, corridors, balconies in apartments and houses;
- adjacent areas, staircases, ramps and patios;
- hospital and sanatorium premises;
- catering establishments;
- retail and utility areas in stores;
- office premises;
- hotel and entertainment complexes.
This type of cladding is also used in other areas (wherever it is necessary to observe increased safety measures or there is an increased risk of injury).