Non-Slip Stair Treads - Installation Guide For Stone Staircases

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Hello, my name is Doug and in this is my home and garden development blog. On this blog, I will be passing on everything I have learnt about designing, building and maintaining your dream home and garden. And believe me, I know a lot. I am not a professional contractor, but I have spent the last 2 years working with a range of different contractors to develop my home and garden. The guys have done a fantastic job and I am really pleased with the results they have generated. I hope you find this blog useful and enjoyable to read.

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Non-Slip Stair Treads - Installation Guide For Stone Staircases

12 April 2016
 Categories: Home & Garden, Blog


A stone staircase certainly adds style to your home, but it can also present a slipping hazard for kids and elderly people.  You can address this problem simply by fitting your staircase with non-slip treads.  This is a simple, inexpensive project that requires a little basic DIY skill and a few hours of your time.  Here's how to do it.

What you'll need

  • non-slip stair treads
  • underlayment compound
  • vacuum cleaner
  • clean cloths
  • washing-up liquid
  • tape measure
  • epoxy caulk
  • craft knife
  • vinyl adhesive
  • hand roller
  • metal straightedge

If you don't already have the tools for the job in your DIY kit, you'll find everything you need them, and everything else you need for this project, at a good DIY or hardware store.

It's a good idea to leave the adhesive, caulk, and compound in a warm room overnight to ensure that they are soft, malleable, and easy to work with when you begin the project.

How to do it

  1. Begin by preparing the staircase.  Check each step for any pits or cracks and fill these with ready-to-apply underlayment compound as required.  Use the spatula supplied with the compound to spread it evenly over the surface.  
  2. Now vacuum the staircase to get rid of any dust and residual compound.  Wipe the steps down using a clean cloth dipped in a solution of washing-up liquid and warm water.  
  3. Measure the width of the steps, and cut the treads using a craft knife.  The best way to do this is to place the metal straight edge on the tread and draw the craft knife along it, so that you get a nice, clean cut.  
  4. For the treads to fit correctly, they must adhere to the steps with no air gaps underneath.  If necessary, use epoxy caulk to plug any spaces between the treads and the steps.  
  5. When you're happy that the treads fit snugly and correctly, you can begin to fit them.  Working on one step at a time and spread adhesive along the underside of the tread, making sure that you thoroughly coat the tread's 'nosing'.  The nosing is the part of the tread that is shaped to overhang the edge of the step.  
  6. Place the tread on the step, nosing edge first.  Push the tread back firmly, so that it fits flush and tight with the step.  
  7. Finally, use the hand roller to ensure that each tread is completely smooth and flat.

In conclusion

You can make your stone staircase safer by installing non-slip stair treads.  Just follow the simple instructions above for a quick and easy upgrade to your staircase.