The outdoors is a beautiful place, but also a dangerous one. There are countless reasons that make the outdoors a hazardous place to be, but the purpose of this writing is to discuss a very specific kind of hazard: outdoor stairs. Think about the last time you went outside. Chances are good that stairs of some sort were involved. As common as staircases are, they also pose a specific risk of slipping and falling. A direct and cost-effective method of reducing the risks of such accidents occurring is through the use of outdoor stair treads.
Slipping and falling has been with mankind for as long as we first learned how to walk. Unfortunately, it can end up being a very dangerous part of life. Many of these types of accidents happen on stairs. People have been looking at this problem for many years now in the hopes of raising awareness about stairway safety and coming up with viable staircase solutions. Cornell University published a study that used data from 1996 showing that about 984,000 people suffered injuries related to slip and fall accidents (http://www.human.cornell.edu/dea/outreach/upload/Stair-Safety-2-2.pdf). As time has gone by, that number has only increased. Fast forward to 2011, falls caused about 8.9 million people to seek medical attention for their injuries
(http://www.nsc.org/safety_home/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/Pages/Falls.aspx#slips, trips and falls).
“Stars” Rubber Stair Treads – (6 pack)
Since most of these accidents happen on stairways, a solution to this problem has emerged in the form of a rubber stair tread. These are rubber mats that are designed for the individual steps of a staircase so that the steps are transformed into safe and secure non-slip steps. More importantly for the needs of consumers, however, many rubber treads can be used as outdoor stair treads.
To understand how a rubber stair tread can increase stairway safety, it is important to understand a key quality inherent to rubber: traction. The reason why rubber is so popular for use in flooring products is because it comes with a naturally high co-efficient of friction. This friction gives a good level of pushback against the feet going across the surface of the rubber. This translates to high traction. Your feet will effectively be “gripped” onto the surfaces of these outdoor stair treads, greatly reducing your chances of suffering a nasty slip and fall accident. This is primarily why rubber is perfect for use as non-slip steps.
“New Amsterdam” Rubber Stair Treads – (6 pack)
“New Amsterdam” Rubber Stair Treads – (6 pack)
- Design gaps drain water and debris
- European-inspired design looks great anywhere
More Traction, More Safety: The rubber material that makes up these outside non-slip stair treads is inherently slip resistant. The rubber material increases the traction that helps keep your feet stay secure. Having these non-slip stair treads around your household will help keep yourself and others safe because the chances of slipping and falling will be greatly reduced. Don’t risk a terrible ordeal; get some protection with this traction enhancing rubber stair covering!
Surface Protection: These outdoor rubber step mats will protect base flooring from the wear and tear of constant foot traffic. Wood in particular is very susceptible to scratches and degradation, which can be very costly to repair. Having these rubber mats in place will save you the expense of repairing damaged surfaces. They also provide a great cushioning support for feet.
All-Weather Protection: As outside rubber mats, these will more than likely come into contact with the elements. Luckily, rubber, both natural and reclaimed, is good at resisting the effects of moisture. Mold and mildew will have a very hard time trying to make a dent in these tough non-slip stair treads. You also do not have to worry about excess water getting trapped in this mat because the gaps in between the elegant design lines are meant to drain away all the mud and water that come into contact with the mat.
What good would rubber be if it couldn’t handle the rigors of the outdoors?
The outdoors pose a unique set of conditions that are not found indoors. The biggest differentiator to worry about is wet weather. Stairs located on the outside of your home, or just about any outdoor area in general, are subject to moisture in the form of rain and snow. Moisture can greatly compromise stairway safety. Rubber outdoor stair treads are among the most ideal safety for staircase solutions currently available on the market.
Rubber is able to handle moisture very effectively. A rubber stair tread will not lose its traction capabilities when wet. Neither will these non-slip steps suffer from the usual type of microbial damage that comes from excessive amounts of moisture. In most other materials, moisture can cause mold and mildew to develop. The presence of these can lead to serious health problems. However, the chances of them appearing on rubber outdoor stair treads is very minimal, if not entirely negated. Rubber prohibits the development of the microbial byproducts that form mold, mildew, and other similar hazards. At the end of the day, not only will you be keeping yourself safe from harmful accidents, but you will also be keeping yourself, your guests, and your surroundings healthy.
Diamond-Plate Rubber Stair Mats – (6 pack)
Diamond-Plate Rubber Stair Mats – (6 pack)
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Protects surfaces of steps made of wood
- Black rubber mats that can be used outdoors
- Great aesthetic for use in commercial and industrial workplaces
Easy to Install: These black rubber mats are among the easiest-to-install products that we have available. Each step mat comes with an extended lip that grips onto the edge of the individual step it is placed on. The mats are generally capable of staying in place once on the step, but the option is available to adhere them with double-sided tape. Placing these stair mats on your steps is a quick, easy, DIY process that spares you the trouble of having to hire expensive third-party professional installers.
Affordable Eco-Friendly Solution: Despite their rugged industrial appearance, these anti-skid treads are actually an eco-friendly product. This is due to the fact that they are made of a mixture of natural and recycled rubber materials. The use of recycled rubber is important in terms of keeping the environment healthy because it is made from post-consumer vehicle tires. If they were not re-purposed for use in these stair mats, they would be rotting away in landfills. Since they use recycled rubber in their makeup, these grips for stairs are available at very affordable rates.
Outdoor weather is not always wet. Although some people may not think it, sunlight can cause damage to certain materials as well. Since outdoor stair treads are usually made of recycled rubber, you will not have to worry about them cracking or peeling quickly in the face of intense UV rays and ozone. A rubber stair tread will last for a much longer time under the sun than other non-synthetic stair treads.
If you are looking for dependable stairway safety products, then rubber outdoor stair treads are among the best and most reliable staircase solutions currently available. They are durable and cost-effective. The rubber material’s ability to grip your feet and enhance traction makes them perfect for keeping you safe and secure. Your outdoor staircases will benefit greatly from their functional qualities. Better yet, they are very easy to install, making them a time and money saving DIY project. Do not leave your outdoor stairways hazardous for you and your guests. Safeguard them with outdoor stair treads!
