The seasons take a toll on you and your home. And while you might take measures to protect yourself and your property, are you doing everything you can? Often, people overlook the importance of installing outdoor stair treads. In addition to protecting you, they protect your stairs. We've done the research to find the best outdoor treads. With our help, you can find the perfect tread for your home.
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Why Trust Us?
I will never forget the winter my mother fell. She's always been very active and enthusiastic. So, when she fell down and hurt her back, she wasn't able to be herself. While she didn't experience any long-term complications, she was stuck on bed rest for weeks. Ever since that incident, I've been hyper aware that an injury can occur at any moment.
I don't take safety lightly, so I love purchases that can make a home a safer place. And outdoor stair treads do exactly that. I know the value of having stair treads, and understand how to find the best treads for your property.
Why Use Outdoor Stair Treads?
Your outdoor stairs are more than entrances into your home. If the stairs are in the front yard, they're the first thing guests might see as they approach. But more importantly, your stairs could be a safety hazard.
In the winter, ice could transform your steps into an accident waiting to happen. The other seasons can also be dangerous, bringing rain and making your steps slippery. If you don't want your steps to be a hazard, you need to be proactive. Using stair treads is one way to make your steps safer.
Stair treads give your steps traction. Without them, your steps could become slick. Water, dirt, and ice leave steps slippery and make it impossible for you or other guests to maintain their grip. Even if you have railing, it may not be enough to prevent an accident. One wrong step and you could be another victim of a winter accident.
Absorb Moisture
Any time of the year, moisture can accumulate on your steps. Snow melts and forms puddles, and rain has the same effect. If you use the right type of stair tread, it will absorb moisture and keep water from building up.
In addition to keeping you safe, this ability to wick away moisture keeps you more comfortable. When you walk on your steps, your shoes and socks won't get soaked. Your family members will track less water and mud into your home. If you're tired of cleaning mud from your floors, stair treads could save you.
Keep in mind that not all stair treads soak up moisture. If you live in an area that receives high precipitation, consider getting treads that absorb water.
Prevent Lawsuits
Even as a homeowner, you could be on the receiving end of a lawsuit. Slip and fall lawsuits don't only occur in stores; they can happen in homes and front yards. At times, your homeowners insurance might not keep you from facing financial consequences from a fall on slippery steps.
While your first concern should be safety, you have a right to worry about the potential for a slip and fall lawsuit. The best way to address your concern is to protect your property with outdoor stair treads.
Protect Your Steps
As an added benefit, stair treads can protect your steps. They require constant maintenance, and the elements take a toll on your stairs. When you use treads, you give your steps an added layer of protection.
Some treads have an appealing style that make your property look better. By installing treads, you add to the aesthetics of your home.
They Come in a Variety of Styles
Stair treads are extremely versatile. Of course, you want to be sure to buy treads intended for outdoor use. If you purchase indoor treads, they won't withstand the elements. The sun, rain, and cold will destroy the treads. There are treads that work for outdoor only use, as well as ones for outdoor or indoor use.
For outdoor use, treads are typically made with one of several materials. Aluminum is a popular choice, but difficult to install. Highly durable, aluminum stair treads tend to the last the longest. That said, they are more visible and may not have the appearance you want. It's hard to miss aluminum stair treads!
Stair Tread Tape
If you want a more subtle, less obvious solution to your slippery steps, you could use stair tread tape. The tape allows you to cut the tread to size and just stick it on your steps. As far as ease of installation goes, stair tread tape is hard to beat.
The disadvantage to this type of stair tread is that it doesn't cover the whole area of your steps. Generally, the tape is only thick enough to cover a portion of it. It's effective, but doesn't give you as much safety as large treads. They also tend to be less visually appealing than ornate treads.
Rubber Stair Treads
As an anti-slip material, rubber is extremely reliable. While there are variations in design of rubber outdoor treads, most tend to feature designs. They look great and often cover a large surface area, and you can shovel over the treads.
Rubber treads tend to be more costly than grip tape treads, but they work well. Some styles don't rely on adhesive, which protects your stairs from sticky glue. If you plan on purchasing rubber treads, be sure to consider the installation. They need to remain secure on your stairs, or your treads could cause more harm than good.
The Best Outdoor Stair Treads
Best for Ice
1. MBIGM Pre-Cut Stair Treads 80 Grit
With this pack of eight stair treads, you get treads that work well in the ice.
- 80 grit treads
- Non-residue adhesive
- Removing back can result in tearing
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With the purchase of this product, you get eight pre-cut stair treads. Each one measures 24”x6” and features 80 grit paper. On the back of the paper is a strong adhesive that works inside and outside. The adhesive is resistant to wear and tear, and the grit on the paper has a base layer of an aluminum oxide compound. This makes it durable enough to last through tough winters.
This high quality adhesive tread is very easy to use. First, you peel the backing. Then, you position the tread on your stairs. The adhesive doesn’t leave behind a residue, which means it can be repositioned as needed. While the tread gives you great traction, it isn’t too abrasive on your hands. If you have children, you don’t need to worry about them sitting on the treads and cutting themselves. In the winter, this product is particularly effective on the ice.
Best for Year Around
2. Rubber-Cal Stars Step Mat Rubber Stair Treads
If you are looking for rubber treads that have a unique appearance, this product may be what you need.
- Made with reclaimed rubber
- Unique star design
- Very thin
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These rubber mats are made with reclaimed rubber, which makes them environmentally-friendly. They feature a cut-out star design that gives the outdoor treads a stylish appearance. Additionally, the design improves the traction of the mats. They’re well-designed to prevent slip and fall accidents from happening. Your purchase gives you six of the mats to use on any of your stairs. Although they don’t come with an adhesive backing, these mats can work with your adhesive of choice.
The rubber in these mats makes the product mold and mildew resistant. Even in wet weather, the treads won’t harbor mold. Whatever season it may be, these rubber treads can handle mother nature. They measure 10.25” x 29.75”, which is enough to fit on most stairs and surfaces. Despite being thin, these treads are heavy-duty. If you are looking for rubber treads that have a unique appearance, this product may be what you need.
Best for Dogs
3. Indoor and Outdoor Carpet Stair Treads
If you have pets, these carpet stair treads will be easy for them to use. They’re great for indoor or outdoor use.
- Great for pets
- Durable PVC fibers
- Don’t stay in place well on wood
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These indoor and outdoor stair treads are unique in that they work great for pets. Although they have a rubber backing, the treads also have a carpet traction that your pets will love. Unlike some fully rubber treads, these treads are easy on the feet of your pets. They also provide great traction, which keeps everyone in your home safe. Made with PVC fibers, these treads are high quality.
Whatever type of stairs you have, these treads will work on them. They measure 32” x 8” and come in a set of 14. To prevent puddles from forming, these treads absorb water well. They also collect dirt, which leaves your stairs always looking great. You don’t need to use an adhesive backing because the treads remain in place. Even in high traffic areas, these outdoor stair treads perform well. When they do get dirty, you can place the treads in the washing machine.
Best for Night Use
4. LifeGrip Anti Slip Traction Treads with Glow in Dark Stripe
These treads feature a glow-in-the-dark strip that lights the way at night.
- Lights up at night
- 80 grit traction
- May peel at edges
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When it gets dark out, you might find it difficult to maneuver around your stairs. With these LifeGrip anti-slip treads, you can safely climb up and down your steps at night without turning on the lights. They feature a strip of glow in the dark tape that brightens the night. During the day, the sun charges the strips.
When you buy this product, you get a ten pack of 6” x 28” grit tape treads. They work great on stairs, but also work on driveways and other surfaces. Made with a PET base film, these treads are highly resistant to water, acids, and UV rays. In any climate, these treads can withstand the weather. Typically, the tape can handle temperatures between 14 and 140 degrees. They can handle as much foot traffic as your house can take.
The treads use 80 grit aluminum oxide for traction, which gives them plenty of traction. You can rest easy that everyone is safe with these treads.
Best for Appearance
5. Bungalow Flooring Waterhog Stair Treads
If you’re looking for a decorative but durable set of treads, these get the job done.
- Absorbs water
- Beautiful design
- Tape not included
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Made for indoor or outdoor use, these stair treads look great. With a modern ellipse pattern, these treads match well with any outdoor decor. They greatly reduce the chance of slip and falls, as they have a skid-resistant surface. When it’s wet out, the treads dry quickly and can hold as much as 1.5 gallons of water per square yard. They feature a rubber border that keeps water and debris from spilling onto your steps.
Able to work on any surface, these treads are made with a PET fiber surface. They are eco-friendly and designed to last. The rubber backing is made with 20% SBR rubber, which is both durable and effective. When you place an order for this product, you get four treads that measure 30”x8.5”. You can use double-sided tape to make these treads even more stable. To clean them, vacuum them up or hose clean them. In only a short time, they dry in the sun.
How We Picked
To choose the best outdoor stair treads, we considered several details. We made sure the tread would stay in place well, otherwise it would be a hazard. Additionally, we considered the quality of the tread. If it would only last one season, the product wouldn't do you much good. When it comes to grit paper, some of the products aren't designed to last. We only picked treads that can hold up to high traffic and a wide range of temperatures. Most importantly, we picked products that give you great traction. This means being anti-skid and absorbing water.
Conclusion
While all of these stair treads are great in their own right, there's one that, pardon the pun, stood out. The Bungalow Flooring Waterhog Stair Treads are attractive and extremely safe. They absorb a high volume of water and give you a sufficiently rough surface to provide traction. Under any conditions, these treads are safe and durable. Although the product doesn't come with double-sided tape, it's worth providing your own. These mats have everything you need and want in stair treads.
Which stair treads do you prefer? Comment below and let us know what you think.