A staircase, even in its simplest form, can add a touch of grandeur to any architectural space. Granite stairs are most often the first choice for such designs, but their beauty comes with a slippery nature, making them unsafe for use. Although granite’s high quartz content should be enough to make it less slippery, other minerals that constitute the rock get worn down during the polishing process. This makes granite steps prone to slipping and dangerous, especially in wet conditions.
Stair-related accidents do not happen to only senior citizens or children; even young adults can suffer fatal injuries from slipping. Over a million people fall prey to stair accidents each year, making them a significant concern for people.
It is more than clear why we need slip-resistant stone stairs, and if you’ve chosen granite as your material, here are some ways of making anti-skid granite for stairs and increasing their slip resistance.
5 Ways of Creating Anti-Skid Granite Stairs
The following are the best methods that will help you understand how to make granite anti-skid. Apart from stairs, you will also use some methods to make anti-skid granite flooring.
01. The Right Surface Finish
Polishing granite leaves it with a highly reflective surface and a richer tone. However, this mirror-like sheen is responsible for the lack of slip control. But a proper surface finish can make the anti-skid granite tile. Therefore, choosing a coarser finish is essential to reduce the chances of slipping.
Leathered Finish
The leathered finish offers a soft lustre and fits perfectly in modern interiors. Achieved by running diamond-tipped brushes over a honed surface, its subtle, dimpled texture offers resistance against slip.
Besides, leathered granite surfaces are low-maintenance and can easily hide spots and smudges. It retains the natural colour of the stone, making it the perfect balance between aesthetics and safety.
Lappato Finish
Abrasives grind the granite surface to remove the polish and create a lappato finish. The next step is to remove the scratches using stone abrasives. Special stone brushes are run over the surface, but unlike the leathered finish, there is an additional step after the brush treatment.
The final finish appears with the application of special stones numbered 800, 1500, and 3000, resulting in a combination of gloss and matte. Lappato’s finish is neither too reflective nor too granular. Along with being an elegant choice, it is easy to clean, anti-slip, and does not require sealing.
Flamed Finish
As suggested by the name, firing the stone at a strong flame, causing the grains to burst and change their colour, produces a flamed finish. This results in a rough texture suitable for slip-resistant applications.
The drawback of this finish is that it does not apply to all stones and is most often not as easy to clean as the other finishes.
Honed Finish
The surface wears a matte look as it is not buffed in the case of a honed finish. Its natural look makes it a popular choice among homeowners. Owing to its matte finish, it is less slippery and scratch resistant.
The downside of this finish is that it has a higher porosity compared to a polished finish and, therefore, is an easy target for stains.
02. Grooves and Inlays
Grooves
Grooves across the faces of the granite stone can make it perfectly slip-resistant without changing the natural shade of the granite. This solution proves effective even in wet conditions.
The only concern is keeping the grooves clean. Deeper grooves will make this day-to-day maintenance even harder.
Inlays
Metal inlay, on the other hand, provides surface irregularities while becoming a part of the design aesthetic itself. The choice of metal will determine the final look of the staircase. Copper is the perfect choice for a rustic finish, whereas brass can add a luxurious look to your interiors.
Metal inlays are fire-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and long-lasting. It is easy to clean them, too. Inlays combined with the durability of granite are a great option for making your steps slip-resistant.
03. Anti-Slip Paint or Tapes
Transparent paint is now a popular choice for anti-skid granite stairs. A protective coating of aluminium oxide-based paint keeps your stairs slip-free even when wet. In addition, some paint options can stand the test of corrosive chemicals and UV radiation, making them suitable for external applications.
Anti-slip tapes are an economical anti-slip measure. They provide better grip and reduce the chances of skidding when applied to the edge of the tread. They are easy to maintain and are particularly seen in public places like shopping malls, cinemas, and stadiums.
04. Sandblasting
The process of sandblasting involves spraying abrasive particles against a stone surface under high pressure using powerful machinery. This results in an alteration of texture, and, in this case, the granite will have a uniform surface that is far from polished.
Sandblasting also helps clean the stone and brings out the shining crystals in granite. This method may be more tedious than the others, but it remains a durable and attractive solution.
05. Carpeting
Carpeting stairs is the most commonly used measure to overcome the slippery nature of granite. However, most carpets end up hiding the view of the natural stone surface. Some people clad the whole width of the stairs and some just cover a portion in the middle.
Although highly effective against skidding, carpets can be difficult to maintain in the event of spills. Notwithstanding their relationship with liquids, carpeting remains a popular choice for creating anti-skid granite stairs.
A Few More Measures for Safer Steps
The above-mentioned active measures for making anti-skid granite stairs are effective, but may not be enough when it comes to stair safety. Hence, remember a few extra measures to add to the safety of your granite steps.
01. Illuminating Steps
Ensuring that your stairwell is well lit will reduce the chances of skidding. All landings and the first riser should be properly lit.
Ceiling or high wall-mounted lights should be the preferred choice for effective stair illumination. The choice of lighting is equally important and can help bring out the natural colour of granite.
02. Balusters
The provision of balusters is a basic measure for stair safety. Although a lot of contemporary designs are doing away with them, they are the first thing a falling person is likely to grab. They are needed for children, small pets, and the elderly.
03. Keeping Steps Dry
Wet steps are the biggest cause of stair-related accidents. On surfaces like granite, wet stairs can lead to lifelong injuries. Hence, clear any spillage immediately to avoid accidents.
Conclusion
Despite its slippery character, granite has many advantages, which makes it such a common choice for cladding surfaces. Granite’s durability, resistance to staining, and elegant finish give it an upper hand over many stones. It can help you attain diverse looks with its range of colours and the right choice can make an ordinary flight of stairs stand out.
Do not get discouraged by one downside because there is more than enough reason to choose granite as your material. This article will be a quick guide to making anti-skid granite stairs, and you won’t have to worry about sliding down your staircase anymore.
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