Saturday 30 May 2015

Improve Safety For Indoor Staircases

Any parent living in a two storey home will know the feeling of worrying about their small children running up and down the stairs. And it is for good reason, as the staircase is the site of many slips and falls, of course the difference being that any minor tumble can result in a disaster and falling quite a long way. One of the best ways to give yourself peace of mind that your little ones are safe is to install some simple stair treads.

Stair Treads

 Generally speaking, carpeted stairways are probably the most dangerous. While there is some amount of cushioning if you fall which could reduce bruising, the rounded edges of each stair can easily turn one misstep into a broken limb. There is little in the way of treads that can be applied to carpeted stairs, without looking very odd indeed. What is more popular for those that are thinking of building or renovating, is to opt for a timber staircase instead, with a series of non-slip mats on each stair. This introduces a chance to add a bit of colour and texture to the stairs, and can actually look quite striking. If the mats are wide enough, this can even give the illusion of carpeting without the safety risks.

Carpet or fabric stair treads are highly effective in that they offer the comfort and feel of carpet under the feet while not covering the edge of the stair which is dangerous. They will usually come with a non-slip backing or some sort of securing mechanism which ensures they stay in place. The popularity of these items means that there is quite a variety in what is available, and they can be as simple or as much of a decorative statement as you like.

Furthermore, carpet treads can reduce that hollow, reverberating sound of walking down timber stairs. This means no waking up in the middle of the night if someone uses the bathroom, or when teenage children come home late. Of course, to further improve stair safety, treads should be used in conjunction with effective railing and banisters.

Some indoor staircases simply won’t suit carpet treads, for example, a painted wooden staircase, or an iron spiral staircase. In some cases, rubber can be an effective alternative. Spiral staircases can be dangerous as there is less space for the foot to be in contact with the stair, however in general people are more aware of this risk and so ascend and descend slowly and while holding the rail. However, that being said, all stairs can be risky and tread of some sort will improve the situation.

Rubber treads are often brushed off before people even know what they can offer. Several years ago, the only rubber options that were available looked like boring old doormats, and so understandably weren’t so popular among those who care about appearances. Nowadays, there are a number of designs, which resemble cast iron floral patterns. They can be oblong or rectangular, and suit just about any home aesthetic. Placed against a white or cream background, these rubber treads offer a distinct Mediterranean feel with some helpful safety benefits.

In the home, owners are more concerned about safety features that can also look nice. In public spaces and outdoors, aluminium and less decorative rubber treads are most popular for their practicality. In fact, building codes in Australia now stipulate that all new public spaces must incorporate stair treading for safety reasons. To get in touch with a leading stair treads supplier, please contact Step Solve at http://stepsolve.com.au/ where our helpful staff will gladly be of assistance.

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