Platform Decks

How do I make my timber decking safer for my family during the winter?

It's getting cold and my timber decking is getting slippery, I have timber decked steps at my back door that are treated and stained. The other day I walked out and slipped which caused me to fall down them. I landed well and was completely unharmed but with family members of all ages soon to be visiting and the older ones likely having a seasonal tipple I want to try and make my timber steps slip proof without changing the look of them too much. Anyone know how?

Public Comments

1. when my porch gets icy i throw down a small doormat to walk on. it works great.
2. Sand on the deck is a good idea, are you willing to put roofing shingles on the steps. This will help because of the rocky surface of the shingles and can be removed during summer months. You could also put the shingles at door exits like a welcome mat to alow the person to get good footing as they are heading out the door.
3. Sand works but it's not ideal. For one thing, sand can be slippery too. But it will also abrade the wood as your walk over it, and this will wear through the stain or any other finish. I would also steer clear of asphalt shingles because their smooth undersurface will slide against the wood and be a greater safety hazard than having nothing at all. The best approach is to put self-adhesive nonskid strips on each step. I did this on wood steps leading to my garage and have been very happy with the results. Here's how to install them and where to get them: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/asktoh/question/0,,1585894,00.html?xid=yahoo-answers&partner=yes
4. wood ash
5. Hard to apply any kind of non-skid in the way of paint or adhesives when it's cold out so you might have to wait till warm dry weather to apply non-skid adhesive strips. Best quick fix is to staple roof shingles to the steps in the place you use the steps most. If there's a handrail then put them closer to that since that's where people tend to walk. Staples or short roofing nails will do to fasten them. Staples will leave smaller holes for if you want to remove the shingles later. Shingles aren't ideal because they tend to start breaking within a year, usually at the fasteners, and the steps tend to stay damp under them, but they're cheap and they're almost impossible to slip on if they're clear of ice or lumpy snow. Make sure the parts of the steps that don't have shingles are scrubbed with a stiff brush. A little algae can be very slippery even if you can't really see it, and it holds dampness which can freeze.
6. Scrub the decks at least 3 times a week with a stiff brush and soapy water. They do sell anti slip coats but I'm never found one that works
7. Hi, I have had some sucess with ... Wait till the wood is dry (not ideal this time of year I know ) Just use any kind of cheap clear varnish to coat the tops with . Do it quicklyand whilst still wet dust it with silver sand. Thats the kiln dried stuff fro the merchants, not ord building sand cos that is too wet. On steps apply this on the way down so as not to spoil the other finished parts. Jeff