9 Factors to Ensure Staircase Safety in Homes & Public Spaces

Step tiles for stairs in your home or a commercial and public area are quite different from the tiles you put up on your living room, kitchen, or bathroom floors. The staircase is one space that requires more safety planning than other horizontal spaces mainly due to the ’gravity’ of the planet and the situation.

Staircases can be tricky and pose a safety risk if not properly designed, installed, or maintained. When it comes to buying step tiles, the factors including the type of tile, design and size must be kept in mind. These factors will help you ensure that you select the appropriate tiles for easy installation and safe usage of your staircases.

Stair Safety with Step Tiles

You should consider the following factors to ensure adequate safety, and comfort on the staircase regardless of the type of area:

Slip Resistance

Slip resistance is important for both indoor and outdoor step tiles. However, outdoor step tiles will require a higher level of slip resistance due to exposure to high-traffic areas, rain, moisture, snow, and other outdoor elements.

Proper Installation

Make sure that your stair tiles are properly installed to prevent tripping hazards. The tiles should be level and securely attached to the stairs to prevent them from moving or becoming loose.

Proper Lighting

Adequate lighting is crucial for stair safety. Make sure that stairs are well-lit, with light switches at both the top and bottom of the stairs. Lighting should be bright enough to allow for clear visibility of each step, especially if they are in a dark area or if there are any changes in elevation or direction.

Handrails

Handrails are an essential safety feature in both homes and public spaces and should be present on both sides of the staircase. Make sure that your handrails are securely attached and at a comfortable height for all users. They should be securely fastened and easily accessible, with a comfortable grip that allows for support while ascending or descending the stairs.

Clear Pathways

Keep the area around the stairs clear and free from clutter or obstacles. This can help reduce the risk of tripping or falling on the stairs. In public spaces, regular maintenance should be carried out to ensure that stairs and their surroundings remain unobstructed.

Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance of your stair tiles and staircase can help ensure safety. Keep the tiles clean and in good condition and repair any damage or issues as soon as possible.

Stair Dimensions

Stairs should be built to specific dimensions, including height, depth, and width, to ensure that they are safe and comfortable to use. This is particularly important in public spaces, where there may be a high volume of foot traffic.

Indoor / Outdoor Styles

While indoor step tiles can be chosen based on their visual appeal alone, outdoor step tiles must be chosen with style and function in mind. They should complement the surrounding architecture and outdoor space while meeting the functional requirements of a safe and durable outdoor step.

Selecting Appropriate Stair Step Tiles

Using specially manufactured stair step tiles for your stairs will be a good decision as step tiles are made to ensure safety with better traction and strength. Good stair steps are timeless and can be more durable and longer lasting than other types of stair coverings. They can withstand heavy foot traffic, spills and general wear and tear, which is important in busy household and commercial environments.

Fully vitrified step tiles are manufactured by baking at high temperatures to create a dense, hard-wearing material. They are extremely durable and resistant to stains, scratches, and moisture, making them an ideal choice for staircases.

Fully vitrified step tiles come in a wide range of designs, colours, and finishes, making it easy to find the right one for indoor and outdoor. Some of the popular designs of fully vitrified step tiles include:

• Plain Tiles

These are simple and plain in design, which gives a modern look to your stairs. They are available in various colours and finishes.

• Textured Tiles

These tiles have a textured surface that creates an anti-slip feature, making them ideal for outdoor stairs. They come in a variety of patterns, such as natural stone.

• Marble-Look Tiles

These tiles have intricate designs and patterns that create a bold and dramatic statement in your home.

• Wood-Look Tiles

These tiles mimic the natural look of wood and are a great option for those who want the warmth and texture of wood without maintenance. They come in various colours and finishes such as oak and teak.

• Thickness

Tile thickness is an important factor to consider with staircases. You may end up using stairs to move heavy furniture, and equipment, including other stressful uses. You also want to keep your stairs safe from accidental damage. This is why step tiles for stairs must be thicker and stronger than normal floor tiles. H & R Johnson offers 12-15 mm thick step tiles.

The designs of fully vitrified step tiles are diverse and offer a lot of options.

Step Tiles at H & R Johnson

Choose stair tiles that have a textured surface or are specifically designed to be slip-resistant. This can help reduce the risk of slips that offer good traction and falling on the stairs.

Endura Steppingstone is the collection of fully vitrified stair step tiles at H & R Johnson. These tiles are available in various patterns and provide maximum safety features for home and public area usage. These pre-cut tiles feature a double bullnose design to provide improved safety. The 12-15 mm thick slab can handle high traffic and pressure without breaking and will last a lifetime with regular maintenance. You also have matching risers and landing area tiles to maintain the homogeneity of the space with Johnson step tiles for stairs.

Frequently Asked Questions