Vinyl Stair Treads

Vinyl stair treads are used primarily for safety and stair protection. Most staircases use underlying construction grade wood treads (treads are simply the part of the stair you step on).

Often there is a covering on the structural tread. This might be primarily decorative, for example thin coverings of hardwood or a contiguous covering of carpet covering the entire surface.

This also might be primarily for safety, some example one of many non slip surface coverings, which could be non slip tape, a non slip coating such as ones based on epoxy or polyurethane, or very commonly rubber or vinyl stair treads.

Vinyl stair treads are very similar to rubber based ones, except that they are often more economical. I have yet to see ones that I would describe as good looking or attractive, but they work very well to reduce the possibility of slips, falls, and injuries. They also do help protect staircases from both ordinary wear and exceptional wear, for example bumps and chips, and are much easier to replace than the underlying structural (usually wood) treads.

Vinyl stair treads are often paired with vinyl risers. The treads go on the part of the stair you step on; the risers go on the vertical section if the stairs between the steps. Although risers do not protect against slips, they do help protect the stairs from kicks and bumps and can also add to the finished look of the staircase.

You can buy them for under four dollars a piece for thin low traffic areas, possibly suitable for your cellar stairs for example, on up to over $20 a piece for thicker ones designed for high traffic areas, for example commercial and industrial locations. The most common colors seem to be brown and black (there are brown ones on the cellar staircase of where I’m currently writing this article).

For example, these inexpensive Vinyl Stair Treads from Amazon are under 4 dollars a piece, designed for indoor use, have a "slid retardant" surface, and measure 1- 1/2" by 24". They can be installed with adhesives, nails, or tacks.

Much better are these Industrial Strength Vinyl Treads which are still relatively inexpensive. They are 12 by 36 inches, designed to protect stairs from heavy traffic, and have rib pattern for safety.

There are even Clear Vinyl Stair Carpet Protectors that you place on top of stair carpets or runners to protect them!