How To Make Trex Decking Less Slippery

What Is Composite Decking Made Of?

It’s only available to the biggest and best deck companies in the country. I assume no one in the form has to ability to buy Vekadeck or else I’d see it mentioned. There’s probably 1-2 companies per state that can carry it.

Keep Composite Decking Dry Especially During Winter

” The newer (last five-ish years) of Trex decking seems to have OK but not great traction. However, some of the older Trex decking had problems with flaking and decomposing that could make slippery to the point of being unsafe. Wood is the original and traditional material used for decks. Hardwoods—all woods, really—should be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. If you're in south Florida Miamifloorsafety.com is a great company with amazing and affordable solutions for your slippery pool decks, patios, bathrooms. Traditional timber deck boards also have a high risk of warping, leaving you with a deformed surface that's uneven, misshapen, and structurally unstable.

We hope this article will assist trades and homeowners with what it takes to keep decks and other external structures in a safe condition at all times. I recently checked out the TimberTech website and ordered some free samples to see what composite wood is really like. Living in the Pacific Northwest, things stay pretty wet year-round which means outdoor wood structures will rot faster and not last as long as they might in other parts of the country. You can buy commercially available cleaning solutions or create your own by mixing â…“ cup of powdered laundry detergent (ammonia-free), 1-quart of bleach and 3 gallons of water.

Need Ideas To Make Deck Stairs Less Slippery

The Building Code references two types of classifications based on two fundamental test methods. The wet pendulum test gives a P classification, and the oil ramp test gives an R classification.

The recently settled legal matter focused on the propensity of the first generation, uncapped Trex boards to grow mold, mildew, and discolor over time. If your deck is made of Trex composite material that was manufactured after 2012 and you don’t want to void your warranty, then you’ve got two options, each of which has its downside. First, you could use heavy rubber mats, like the ones used in commercial kitchens, in the most highly trafficked areas. Second, you could apply our Grit Tape to the most slippery areas. Grit tape will definitely improve traction, but it’s obviously going to be very visible because it is black. Both are imperfect solutions, but they just might save a slip or fall that sends a loved one to the hospital. I'm a pastor at a church in WI and we installed this composite material on a brand new wheelchair/handicap accessible ramp.

Put one foot out onto the doormat & it slid out with me on it. Any water spilled on the surface remains on the surface, preventing board damage. The surface water simply evaporates and is usually completely dry within 30 minutes. Composite decking, on the other hand, is far more resistant to these kinds of issues.

Slip & Fall Problems Areas On Synthetic Wood

There are boards that are rotting and we will definitely have to replace it within the next year. Although there are specified ASTM methods of measuring slip resistance, there is currently no building code requirement for minimum slip resistance. Methods used to test the relationship of the foot to the surface material measure the slip resistance to lateral movement caused by contact between two surfaces. Slip-resistance tests that are correctly performed under different consensus standards may produce different results. Variables that affect slip resistance include, shoe tread, stride, speed of stride, debris on surface, amount of moisture present and weight. This and similar anti-slip products typically contain either sand or aggregates that are mixed into paint or resin to provide extra traction.

There are bad brands of products in every building material category…doesn’t mean the whole category is junk. I’m in the mid-atlantic and have replaced both of my decks — beach and suburbs – with Zuri. Even buying the best cedar and finishing both sides — 10 years it was a mess. I took off the PT after 4 years and put down the Zuri … down about 5 years now. It’s strong enough to span the 16″ on a very solid structure. It’s 100 percent PVC and it’s equipped with an ASA capstock as well. Even though it’s the PVC and ASA, it’s what’s in the mix of the product.

This is an unavoidable process that happens due to UV rays, weathering, and high foot traffic. Other drawbacks include noticeable surface damage. Severe scratches and deep gouges are common issues with composite deck products. Composite and conglomerate decking are popular for their aesthetic benefits and low maintenance, but they can be incredibly slippery – especially when wet!

• Decking can get especially slippery in damp environments.
• Any surface will develop unwanted grime if it’s exposed to moisture.
• However, we would still recommend cleaning non slip decking to keep it looking its best.
• This is both true and false, depending on the decking.
• Even with a build up of algae, anti slip decking will remain slip resistant.
• Unfortunately no decking is maintenance free - whether it’s made from solid timber, plastic, steel or mixed materials.

In the segment of wood-alternative decking material, Trex is the largest single manufacturer with over $680 million in 2018 revenue. Trex holds the original patent for producing a “Wood-Thermoplastic Composite Material” that requires less maintenance and often lasts longer than natural wood. When we’re asked at Handi-Treads how to make Trex decking or stairs less slippery, we always ask, “How old is your Trex decking?