Rubber stair treads are essential for busy multi-level facilities. Ascending and descending staircases presents a potential danger to facility guests, particularly when inclement weather leads to rain and snow accumulation inside entryways. Stair treads provide grip and stability on stepping surfaces, and in some cases treads may even make individual steps more visible.
The editors of the Eagle Mat Blog have created this installation guide to help property owners, managers, and others install rubber stair treads effectively and safely.
Rubber Stair Tread Installation Tips
1. Know Where Stair Treads Are Needed
Not all situations call for stair treads (see #2 below). To make the most out of your stair tread installation, it is important to know when and where stair treads are needed. In general, any uncovered staircase that receives a large volume of visitor traffic should be considered a candidate for stair treads. Stairs that lead to or away from an entryway are also prime candidates, as these locations are most prone to dirt, debris, and moisture accumulation.
A Note to Our Readers: Rubber stair treads are best used indoors. For outdoor applications, aluminum stair treads are to be used.
2. Choose the Right Adhesive
Choosing the right adhesive is critical in completing an application that will be sturdy, resilient, and trusting over time. Epoxy Nose Caulk is recommended for its long-lasting ability to affix treads / risers to staircases, specifically for Square-flex or Curved nosing.
3. Temperature Requirements
Temperature can have a significant impact on the installation of stair treads. For this reason, a minimum 70 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended for both stair treads and adhesive. Room temperature should likewise be a minimum of 70F.
4. Repair / Fill-in Uneven Edges
An “uneven edge” occurs when a space exists between the nosing of the stair tread and the edge of the underlying step. Such a space allows the stair tread to shift when stepped on, loosening it from the step and creating a very dangerous condition over time. Fill-in such gaps with additional Epoxy Nose Caulk until there is absolutely no space.
5. Prepare Each Step for Installation
Prior to installation, each step of the stair case must be clean and free of oil, grease, rust, paint, varnish, adhesives, etc.
6. Fit Each Tread to Its Respective Step
Rubber stair treads are made ‘oversized,’ or untrimmed, because not all staircases have steps of uniform dimensions. This allows you to custom-fit each tread to each step simply by cutting-away extra material from the sides.
7. Apply Nose-first
Ensuring there is no space between tread and step, particularly at the nose-end, is a top priority for safety (as discussed in #4 above). To minimize spacing, apply the stair tread nose-first by placing the nose-end of the tread on the edge of the step. Then, push back firmly and press the tread downwards onto the step from front-to-back.
8. Flatten-out Each Tread with a Hand Roller
Reinforce the bond between tread and step by rolling each stair tread with a hand roller. Roll from front-to-back, ensuring that there is as little space as possible left between tread and step.
9. Remove Excess Caulking / Adhesive
Excess caulking should be removed for both aesthetic and safety reasons. Following stair tread installation, wipe excess caulking from the staircase with a wet or damp cloth. Steel wool may also be used to removed any caulking that has dried.
10. Allow Adhesive to Dry
Finally, allow the adhesive that joins stair treads to staircase ample time to dry. Failure to do so may result in an unstable application that loosens over time, creating a serious danger to anyone using the staircase.
Shop Rubber, Vinyl, and Aluminum Stair Treads Online
Shop the Eagle Mat Stair Treads online store for unbeatable deals on rubber, vinyl, and aluminum stair treads! Shop today for guaranteed low prices and free shipping for all online orders.
A Maryland-based company, Eagle Mat celebrates 30+ years of commercial matting excellence in the Washington D.C. Metro Area and now online. For additional inquiries, customers are invited to call customer services at 1-877-333-1018.
