From mass transit stairways to rugged industrial catwalks, stair treads are a critical component of modern building. Literally underfoot, these essential installations come in materials, colors, and assemblies to fit any and every environment.

But not all stairs are created equal: in fact, depending upon a building, city, or region’s requirements, it’s key to consider every element of a stair tread’s design, including proportions, visibility, environmental demands, and much more.

Custom Stair Treads: What, How, and Where

The right choice in stair tread makes for more than mere architectural or design impact. Superior safety, increased economic efficiency, long lasting performance, and improved structural integrity are all benefits of a well-designed stair tread solution.

When evaluating stair nosing or non-slip treads for the best fit, it’s key to evaluate all of the qualities of a given design, including:

Sizing

Check your local building codes and fully evaluate your existing stairs to find an appropriately sized tread or nosing for your environment. A nosing that’s too narrow can save initial installation costs, but can compromise the longevity of the stair itself — not to mention pedestrian safety.

Material

Aluminum, concrete, wood, even musical keys: stair treads can be crafted from almost any imaginable material! Of course, this makes the designer’s responsibility especially key in finding the best combination of safety, aesthetics, and practical performance for any stair.

Video credit: Rolighetsteorin – Piano Stairs (YouTube.com)

Just a few of the common material choices for stair treads include:

• Wood
• Metal Grating
• Non-slip surfacing
• High-visibility substrates
• Carpet or traction coating
• Glow-in-the-dark coating
• Accent lighting
• And more!

Environmental Challenges

Indoor and outdoor stairs must be crafted with different considerations in mind. For example, a non-slip or high visibility stair is especially important in abrasive, high exposure outdoor settings where weather and low light can be a challenge. Demanding indoor environments such as industrial facilities, shipping centers, and garages can also take advantage of high performance stairs for long life and increased safety.

Coloring and Surface Treatment

The toughest stair treads and nosing are often made of a metal composite base: aluminum is a durable, long-lasting option. However, for maximum stair safety, a high visibility coloring or non-slip surface treatment helps to stop slips in their tracks. A contrasting nosing substrate, glow in the dark tread highlight, or a safety traction surface offers both peace of mind and long-lasting performance for your stair.

Non-Slip Nosings

The nosing of a stair tread can be a precarious place, and one of the most common culprits for slips, trips, and falls. Consider both the proper seating and depth for your nosing, as well as the accident risk of your environment. High risk areas should utilize a deeper stair nosing, and can be even further fortified with non-slip surfacing and high contrast visibility treatments.

Custom Crafted Stair Solutions with Amstep

The designers and engineers at Amstep Products have led the industry in developing high performance, non-slip stairs for over 100 years. We’re proud to provide some of the world’s most durable safety products, including Sightline high visibility anti-slip stair treads and stair nosings, cutting-edge Glowline™ treads, and a full series of unique heavy duty composite-treated treads to renovate existing staircases.

Our inventory is stacked with ways to secure your stairs — reach out to consult with an expert or request a quote today!

From manufacturing facilities and industrial workspaces to country cottages and ski retreats, one thing is certain: With wintertime snow and ice come an increased risk of slips, trips, and falls. In fact, injuries resulting from such slips top the list of common culprits for workplace injuries, especially in high-traffic areas.

Weather, or Not

As temperatures dive and frosty conditions creep into our everyday environments, emergency room visits rise. In fact, according to OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), accidents resulting from slips, trips, and falls are only second to motor vehicle accidents as the most common cause of occupational fatalities.

Winter foot traffic, both indoor and out, is frequently challenged by disruptive conditions, including:

• Loose salt and gravel
• Black ice
• Frosted and frozen surfaces
• Wet indoor floors and puddles
• Obstacles shrouded or obscured by snow
• Snow and ice buildup
• Weather-damaged pavement, sidewalks, and pathways

Snowy, Icy Stairs Can Cause Serious Injury

Slip Safety Solutions

Salt, grit, gravel, and chemical ice melts all provide quick, immediate sidewalk safety solutions, but they cannot ensure lasting safety. For a more permanent surface treatment with indoor/outdoor versatility, many building managers and homeowners choose to install floor and stair materials that can be incorporated in high-risk areas such as kitchens, garages, train stations, loading platforms, ferry docks, and entryways.

Below are a few such solutions:

• Non-slip and high visibility stair treads for ice and other hazardous conditions offer year-round safety in a wide range of environments.
• Increased illumination and integrated lighting in otherwise naturally lit areas enhance visibility.
• Anti-slip coatings, paints, and surface treatments offer high reliability, allowing for enhanced friction and grip in high-traffic areas and during inclement weather.
• Safety gratings and stair nosing create sturdy base surfaces for climbing.

Custom Safety Programs for Your Space

Be safe this winter! Regular cleaning practices decrease the risk of puddling, snow buildup, and heavy icing. Introducing in-house safety programs, information sessions, posters, and signage can also help keep patrons and employees alert and aware of their surroundings, allowing for safer movement and travel while decreasing liability risks and costs. Even seemingly small choices, like instructing workers to wear weather-sensible shoes, can be a huge help in keeping everyone safe this season.

Both commercial and residential environments can benefit from the installation of integrated non-slip materials. Safety treads and coatings can be readily incorporated in new stairway construction, renovations, large-scale work environments, private homes, outdoor spaces, storage facilities, and so much more.

The specialists at Amstep Products have led the industry in non-skid and anti-slip solutions for over 100 years, providing some of the most durable safety products in the world. Our inventory is stacked with ways to keep your walkways secure and safe. Our range of products — which includes stair nosing, aluminum stair treads, stair treads for concrete steps, non-slip coatings, and high-visibility treads — can be used on all types of stairs, platforms, decks, and high-slip surfaces in the winter months.

To consult with one of our engineers or find a custom solution for your space, reach out to the team today — and remember, slow down and step carefully this season!

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