Safe, Stylish, and Strong: The Stair Tread Advantage
Wherever there’s a staircase—indoors or out—safety should always come first. According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), slips, trips, and falls are among the most common workplace accidents. That’s why choosing the right stair tread material is essential. Not only does it impact the staircase’s appearance, but it also plays a major role in safety and durability.
What is a stair tread?
The stair tread is the horizontal part of a staircase where you step. Choosing the right tread depends on several key factors:
- Indoor vs. outdoor application
- Public or private space
- Foot traffic (heavy, medium, or light)
- Exposure to water, moisture, or extreme conditions
Continental Flooring Company, partnering with various manufacturers, offers a comprehensive range of commercial stair treads, risers, stringers, and landing tile options in rubber, vinyl, metal, and more. Our manufacturers use a variety of textures, profiles, and features, such as embedded grit strips and contrasting nosings, to improve safety and help meet ADA requirements. Below are the primary stair tread materials and components available for various applications:
Rubber Stair Treads
Rubber stair treads are a top choice for commercial, institutional, and industrial installations, including:
- Office buildings
- Educational facilities
- Multi-family housing
- Healthcare facilities
- Retail environments
Advantages:
- Made from top-quality, homogeneous rubber
- Slip-resistant and durable
- Easy to trim and fit on-site
- Tapered nosing for better fit
- Smooth rear borders for easy cleaning
- Ideal for high-traffic areas
Design Appeal: Some rubber treads are available in textured or industrial styles, adding safety and design flexibility.
Vinyl Stair Treads
Vinyl stair treads are an economical, reliable solution that combines functionality and low maintenance.
Features:
- Manufactured from nonporous, abrasion-resistant vinyl
- Molded with ribbed or corrugated surfaces to increase traction
- Ideal for moderate foot traffic
- Easy to clean and maintain
Flexibility: Vinyl treads can be cut to fit and are available in multiple patterns and finishes to match any interior.
Metal Stair Treads
Aluminum stair treads offer unmatched durability in the most rugged environments. They are designed for interior and exterior stairways that endure heavy traffic and exposure to the elements.
Construction:
- Diamond-hard aluminum oxide abrasives bonded to heat-treated aluminum
- Built to withstand rain, snow, sleet, and extreme temperatures
- Slip-resistant surface patterns or coatings are available
- Ideal for industrial facilities, transit stations, or outdoor entryways
Considerations: Metal treads may be louder underfoot and should include abrasive coatings or grit strips to improve safety.
Fiberglass Stair Treads
Fiberglass stair treads are built for the toughest commercial and industrial settings.
Key Benefits:
- High-traction carbide grit surface
- Fire-retardant fiberglass core
- Excellent for metal, wood, or concrete stairs
- Ideal for ramps, handicap entrances, landings, and ladders
Grit Strip Stair Treads & Anti-Slip Tapes
While stair treads form the foundation of a safe stair system, grit strips and anti-slip tapes are added safety features that can be applied directly onto stair surfaces to improve traction, especially in areas prone to moisture, oils, or heavy traffic.
These materials are not stair treads themselves, but rather supplemental products used to enhance the slip resistance of existing stairs, whether they are made of metal, wood, concrete, or vinyl.
Features:
- High-traction strips increase grip in wet, greasy, or oily environments
- Contras strips for the visually-impaired help meet code requirements
- Available in pads and rolls
- Wide range of colors to blend or provide contrast
- Most options exceed OSHA, ADA, and ASTM safety standards
Stair Nosing
Stair nosing enhances safety and extends the life of stair treads by absorbing the brunt of foot traffic.
Materials Available:
- Rubber, vinyl, metal, and wood
Applications:
- Installed on top of existing steps or embedded into new stair constructions
- Compatible with wood, carpet, concrete, or tile substrates
- More cost-effective than full stair tread replacement
Stair Risers, Stringers & Accessories
To complete your stair system, Continental Flooring offers a wide array of risers, stringers, adhesives, and accessories:
Stair Risers & Stringers:
- Available in matching rubber or vinyl
- Coved risers offer a smooth, visually appealing transition
- Stringers protect and finish stairway sides
Stair Tread Adhesives:
- Secure stair treads to wood, concrete, tile, metal, and more
- Available in various strengths and drying times
- Nose caulk fills in gaps at the stair nosing
Complete Stair System Solutions
Continental Flooring Company proudly partners with trusted manufacturers like:
- Flexco
- Roppe
- RC Musson
- Johnsonite
- VPI
- Burke/Mannington Commercial
With a broad selection of rubber, vinyl, metal, and fiberglass stair components, we’re ready to help you create a safe, durable, and code-compliant stair system for any facility—inside or out.
One Call Does It All!
Many of our flooring products are available on GSA Contracts. Whether you’re outfitting a public stairwell, industrial worksite, or stylish commercial entrance, Continental Flooring Company can help you find the right combination of materials, design, and performance features. Contact Continental Flooring Company today to explore stair tread solutions. With decades of experience and partnerships with leading manufacturers, we’re ready to help step it up with the right treads!
Please feel free to contact us for product advice, free samples, assistance in specifications, or to place an order. We welcome contract purchases, formal bids, RFQs or Open Market requirements. One call will do it all!
Contact Us Today!
Call Toll Free 800-825-1221 | Email: info@continentalflooring.com
Our Segments
- Federal, State, County, and Municipalities
- Healthcare
- Schools, Colleges, and Universities
- Public Housing Authority (PHA)
Continental Flooring has been servicing government agencies since 1979 and is a top flooring and ceiling provider in the public sector.
