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Design & Materials Problem: What are the Different Ways to Make Outdoor Stairs Non-Slippery?
Paint doesn't have the strength required to hold sand for very long, especially if you're shoveling. For non-slip applications on exterior surfaces, you should use an aliphatic urethane coating that will stand up to cleaning abuse and retain the grit. Epoxies generally aren't advised for exterior applications.
reglet with a carborundum strip for additional traction. This creates a little bump that your footwear treads will catch on. This is what we'll install on polished concrete floors which can be slippery when wet. The bump also provides feedback to users who are visually impaired that they're about to reach a change in elevation.
You can also add a
If you are looking for an "agricultural" (quick/cheap/effective) method, you can wrap the treads in chicken wire. This is very durable and very cheap if you have large expanses of decking. And if you don't mind the rustic look close up it's virtually invisible from any distance.
Here's what we use for non-slip stairs in a food manufacturing plant, where the surfaces are perpetually wet (and not just wet, often wet with cleaning agents that makes things slipperier.
I would replace the rubber strip option with these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/KEENOVO-Silicone-Heater-Flexible-Heating-Element-Strip-Belt-15X4200mm-200W-220V/271283649964?hash=item3f29c3fdac:g:aIsAAOxyaqlSQETx
There is a reason teak has been used for years on boats. Wood in general is a nonslip surface it is when the stairs do not have the correct rise/run, are freshly oiled, covered in moss/algae or other issue that they become slippery. Also take into account that if you are going to be shoveling snow off said steps, anything short of the expanded steel to let the snow through when stepped on, is likely going to be damaged and/or make the ice start and stick much more easily than just plain wood. As it is said, just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
If the surface is primed for it the anti slip tape works really well.
The correct clear polymer beads can also be mixed into a polyurethane or other clear finish to add grip without detracting from your (possibly) unpainted, natural stairs.
I concur with Stephen, there exists filler material for paint that provides grip. Think fine plastic sawdust. I'd think sand is too hard, damages the paint too much if it comes loose.
I've used the plastic filler dust on my (admittedly indoor) stairs and it works great.
Also, for painted surfaces there is a ground walnut shell powder that can be added for even better (read more irregular) grip and texture - plus it's a great up-cycled/natural product.