Non-skid for stairs?

[MushCreek]

I'm currently building a stairway up to my loft (13'), and plan to finish it. The stair treads are just common 2X12's. I'd like to paint the stairs a typical industrial gray, probably with porch and deck paint. They won't get used often, as the loft is just storage. It's a long run of stairs, and I ain't gettin' any younger, so I'd like to make them as safe as possible.

What's the best/easiest/cheapest way to make them non-skid? Adhesive strips of non-skid? Throw a handful of sand in the paint? Ideas?

 

[Firstram]

Add a landing, you're not getting any younger!

 

[Reg1952]

There is non slip paint available. cheapest option would be a little sand like you mentioned.

 

[MushCreek]

Add a landing, you're not getting any younger!

There is a landing, but it's nearly at the bottom. The way the barn is built, there weren't any other options without major framing mods. There will also be hand rails on both sides. I figure when I get old and feeble I'll have one of those stairmaster thingies installed.

 

[Moosefire]

I used some sand in my shed ramps, it didnt last long. Of course it was very fine sand from the horse shoe pits so that might've made the difference, but it's all but gone now after the zero turn got ahold of it, something to consider

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[CraigStu]

The sand paper tape works really well. Combine it w/ non-slip paint. W/ that many steps you might want to search around for a better price on a roll than you get at the local hardware store. I put the 2 inch wide tape about 3/8 inch back from the edge.

 

[floyd]

I have these On the steps leading up from the garage. I sanded the wood, wiped down with some soapy water, let dry, and applied. The first ones lasted 12 years plus. The smaller strips will be cheaper no doubt.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CTF76GK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[DFB]

I sold case loads of the adhesive no slip strips at my flea mkt, and I tried a few on my PT front porch steps as they get wicked slippery when wet, I did have to staple them down outdoors but for indoor use they be great, There are rolls in different to found online and even HF sells them as precut strips too

 

[gunguy]

I used this on an outdoor application that gets exposed to rain and snow. I made sure the wood treads were reasonably clean, I pressure washed them I think, then cut to length.

They've been down for at least 5 years with no sign of lifting.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Shurtape-5-Yard-S-Anti-Slip-Tape/3028788

Jim

 

[Matt M PA]

These are what I used in my garage. Stapled them to each step. 10 years later...still working.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/M-D-Stair-Treads/3056223

 

[Viper98912]

A buddy of mine gave me this suggestion

Take a router and dig out a little recess/slit near the front edge of each step to give yourself some grip when your foot goes over it.

If you don't like the "raw" look of the slit, you can find a piece of rubber to glue in the slit (the rubber is taller than the depth of the wood so it sticks up just slightly).

I have a couple of steps that lead from my garage to my house and will probably be doing this version.

 

[tymbo]

Go to a cabinet shop with a wide belt sander. Ask for a used belt which can be cut up and glued to each stair with contact cement.

 

[Cooter Brown]

I got a 3M adhesive tape product at H Depot that works well. It's probably about the equivalent of 40 grit, maybe coarser. It's been on over a year and is holding up fine.

I roughed up the treads with a coarse belt on a sander before I applied it.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I built a walkway on my boat 20 years ago. I poured coarse sand on the first coat of paint. It's still there.

 

[JohnnyK8]

Try Raptor Liner

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[txvwnut]

If you have a glass bead cabinet grab a handful of beads and add it to the paint. The stairs in my shop are just 2 x 12’s as well and I painted them with porch paint and didn’t add any traction additives and haven’t had an issue with slipping. But I’m also in the shop with rubber soled shoes on.

 

[kwb]

Take the treads and run them through the table saw on 1" increments with blade set to about 1/8" deep.

 

[MushCreek]

Good idea, but too late. Half of them are already installed, and I use glue.