Anti-slip belts are specialized products coated with abrasive grains or made of elastic material. They allow safe movement on slippery surfaces.
Features of the
A staircase for movement between floors is an integral part of any multi-level building. However, home furnishings often focus on aesthetics and little attention to travel safety. It is generally accepted that a single-flight design with a small number of steps is the safest. However, according to statistics, it is from them that most of the falls occur.
Compared to other products of similar functionality (coatings and rugs), tapes have a number of undeniable advantages:
- easy to clean with the simplest cleaning agents;
- adhere firmly to rough and smooth surfaces;
- the material is resistant to moisture, temperature fluctuations, UV rays and combustion;
- stripes are affordable;
- failed samples are easily replaced;
- ribbons have a stylish look, so they can serve as a decorative element;
- can fit not only inside buildings, but also on the street;
- protect the edges of the steps from abrasion;
- have a long operational period;
- withstand impressive mechanical loads and friction.
Anti-slip tapes are made from environmentally friendly materials, they do not emit toxic fumes, therefore they can be mounted in closed rooms, as well as in child care facilities.
Disadvantages usually appear in situations where all the basic rules for installation or use have not been followed.
It is worth refraining from intensive use of newly glued tapes - the material needs at least a day to form a strong connection between the base and the coating.
Excessively high or, conversely, low temperatures, as well as excess moisture in the first minutes of use, can lead to a deterioration in the performance of the tape.
The surface on which the tape is fixed must be smooth and even. The presence of significant curvatures, looseness, high porosity, as well as cracks and chips is not allowed. All wet surfaces must be thoroughly dried before work, dirty ones must be cleaned, and cold ones must be warmed up.
Views
There are several types of anti-slip tape. Abrasives are widespread, they are produced using crushed carborundum - this is a durable material that is used in mechanical engineering for grinding parts. These tapes can be attached to all types of surfaces: granite, marble or wood. The operating temperature range is from -25 to +70 degrees, the belts retain their characteristics under the influence of lubricants and moisture.
There are three types of tapes, depending on the grain size:
- extra-large - used in areas with high operational load (in storage facilities, workshops, hangars, warehouses), creates an effective and durable anti-slip protection;
- coarse-grained - glued in areas of intensive movement of people (in shops, shopping centers, banks);
- standard grit tape - used indoors with normal traffic (in private houses).
Non-abrasive anti-slip tapes are considered more in demand. They are made on the basis of polyvinyl chloride - this material is plastic and elastic, and due to the absence of abrasive particles on such coatings, you can even move barefoot. These tapes are used in swimming pools and other areas with high humidity.
On the street, such devices can be mounted exclusively in places that are reliably protected from the adverse effects of atmospheric precipitation
Some models have additional options, such as reflective. They are used to warn of dangerous sections of the road or for better orientation in the dark.
There are several types of non-abrasive belts
Tactile - made from soft polyvinyl chloride. On the underside there is an adhesive for attaching to the base. The surface is perforated, has high anti-slip characteristics. The absence of abrasives ensures a comfortable contact with the soles of the feet
Shock absorbing - for its manufacture, a special type of polyurethane is used, which is distinguished by its softness
Nautical ribbon - this is the name given to the tapes that are attached to kitchens and other "damp" rooms. These are versatile models with abrasive pits and bumps
Textured - have a springy granular layer, are produced with a relief
All non-abrasive tapes are widely used in swimming pools, bathrooms and other areas with high levels of humidity.
Rubber
Anti-slip rubber strips provide maximum safety when moving. They are used on wood, ceramic, granite and marble surfaces. Often attached to steps during finishing work for added security.
According to their characteristics, elastic tapes are similar to them. They are manufactured on the basis of plastic with the characteristics of rubber. When moving along them, the effect of springiness is pronounced. Such products are indispensable in a situation where increased safety requirements are imposed on the surface.
Aluminum
The design is a metal base with grooves for anti-slip rubberized bands. They are fixed on the upper parts of the steps, less often on the sidewall. The stripes protrude 5 mm above the surface, so that they do not impede movement.
Among all types of skid strips, these have the highest grip strength. The fixing method largely depends on the base material; in most cases, dowels or self-tapping screws are used. To ensure maximum adhesion, the lower surface of the tape is coated with tenacious silicone glue before laying.
On the construction market these days, you can find many modifications of such devices. Anti-slip tapes based on a 1.5 mm thick foil sheet are widely used. These stripes are able to shape even the most complex surfaces. They are indispensable when applied to a corrugated base, the tape is easily attached to aluminum surfaces with welded seams, as well as on floors where bolt heads protrude after repair.
Such tapes can be bent along and across, fastened to rounded surfaces.
Vinyl
Anti-slip vinyl tapes are fixed to the surface with an adhesive base or double-sided tape. They have exceptional performance parameters:
- working range - from -30 to +60 degrees;
- withstand intense mechanical stress;
- do not lose their characteristics under the influence of precipitation and ultraviolet rays;
- the operational period is 4 years;
- tapes are easy to install.
These advantages, combined with a wide variety of colors, have made these sliding surface protectors one of the most popular. Self-adhesive tapes are in high demand - they are distinguished by the presence of an adhesive layer, which firmly attaches the strips to the main structural elements of the stairs.
Dimensions (edit)
The anti-slip strip is usually L-shaped and glued at the corners to prevent slipping. Anti-slip tapes are packed in rolls of 25, 50, 75, as well as 100 and 150 mm.
A typical roll has a length of up to 18.5 m, packing in rolls up to 100 m is allowed on an individual order.
Where is it used?
Anti-slip straps for stairs are indispensable for preventing injuries on polished step surfaces. They provide added safety when navigating beautifully crafted yet slippery steps made from lacquered wood, marble, granite and other smooth finishing materials. The tape is widely used in places with high traffic: in shopping malls, office buildings, restaurants, hospitals, educational institutions, manufacturing companies and banking institutions.
Signal tapes are distinguished into a separate category - they can be both abrasive and non-abrasive. They are coated with luminescent paint to make them stand out in the dark. May have additional reflective coating. Depending on the model, both the entire tape as a whole and its individual fragments can glow.
Anti-slip tapes have long been included in the practice of industrial complexes and housing and communal services. However, they can be used not only in public places. There is absolutely nothing stopping the owners of private houses from making their life easier and getting rid of such a nuisance as a slippery tile floor. Thanks to the large color variety of anti-slip strips, you can always choose an option that will exactly match the aesthetic solution of the interior.
How to choose?
The choice of anti-slip tapes directly depends on the location of the stairs. So, the structure installed inside the house can be revetted even with carpet ribbons. And anti-slip protection on the steps of the porch must be made of rubber, rubber or aluminum. In order for the selection of elements to exactly correspond to all wishes, it is necessary to focus on the following parameters:
- dimensions of steps - the dimensions of the overlays and treads must be completely identical;
- the intensity of operation - the choice of material for the anti-slip coating largely depends on this;
- fixation - when using strips of small sizes, you should consider ways of attaching them to the surface;
- the combination of coating with interior design - this is especially important when arranging stairs located inside the house.
Today the market offers ribbons in a variety of colors. Color models are mostly used in stores or on floors in business centers. There are a number of stripes that warn about the peculiarities of the use of the floor covering. So, red and white stripes indicate a temporary danger, and black and yellow stripes indicate a constant risky situation. Some manufacturers offer LED security strip models.
On expensive coatings, for example, granite and marble stairs, transparent overlays are used - they do not disturb the general appearance of the room.
Manufacturers rating
There are several companies among the manufacturers of anti-slip tapes
"Super-tape". The advantages of the products of this brand include exceptional resistance to weather conditions. The tapes retain their functionality at temperatures from -40 to +60 degrees, and their service life is more than 5 years. All products are manufactured in Holland and EU countries
"Anti-slip Systems". The company offers comprehensive anti-skid systems. All products are the company's own development, therefore, they are maximally adapted to the climatic conditions of our country
"First Profile Plant". Manufacturing enterprise from the Moscow region. All belts are made of high quality plasticized PVC. The product is environmentally friendly and has a long service life
How to use?
Using self-adhesive tape is very simple, you can easily install it yourself without resorting to professional services. To do this, follow these steps.
- The surface of the step is properly cleaned and degreased with any alcohol-containing composition or solvent.
- The protective film is removed from the adhesive surface of the anti-slip tape, after which the strip is applied to the steps and pressed firmly.
- The final drying of the adhesive composition takes 15-20 hours. At this time, it is desirable to minimize any mechanical stress on the strip surface.
We pay special attention to the fact that all installation work should be performed only at temperatures above +10 degrees.