While slips and trips are more likely in high footfall areas, there are ways of minimising this risk through design and product choice. Designing for a high ‘slip resistance’ might not typically be a primary consideration, but with the UK’s unpredictable weather, it's an important one.
This requirement has more weight when the design calls for timber decking. While a popular choice due to its natural aesthetic, timber can become slippery in wet and icy conditions. General wear and tear will reduce the grip and without proper maintenance, algae and moss can develop, which further reduces slip resistance.
So, how do you strike that balance between a visually appealing outdoor space while ensuring it is safe and slip-resistant?
Start with the product choice
One solution is to choose decking with naturally high anti-slip properties such as Silvadec or Zerodeck. These composite boards are ideal for high foot fall commercial projects, providing heightened slip resistance, low maintenance requirements, and long lifespans.
Silvadec has market-leading slip resistance, with Pendulum Test Values (PTVs) over 50 in both wet and dry, to provide excellent grip in commercial environments as well as domestic. Zerodeck perfectly balances slip-resistance and a class-A fire rating, with a splinter free surface. The composite boards are perfect for any area requiring maximum fire-safety along with a timber-aesthetic and can be surface-fixed as well as clip-fixed.
Both Zerodeck and Silvadec have been rigorously and independently Munro tested and meet the minimum PTV requirement for an area that might be covered by water.
Silvadec has exceptional slip-resistance
Adding slip resistance
‘Grip strips’ can be installed into timber decking to help improve the overall slip resistance. This gives designers the option to choose timber finishes and ‘build in’ increased surface grip.
The strips are constructed from specialist resin and hard-wearing anti-slip aggregates. These are bonded directly onto the timber and it’s recommended that a minimum of 2 inserts per 145mm deck board are used to ensure contact with the anti-slip strips. This also enables the timber decking to pass Munro testing, creating a higher PTV in both wet and dry conditions.
Grip strips were put to great use in the redevelopment of Fulham Football Club where the high-traffic riverside walkway requires increased resistance to the elements. Double grip strips were installed into the Bamboo X-treme Woca decking to achieve the perfect balance of safety and aesthetic.
Designing for a higher slip resistance may sound like adding another layer of checks into product selection but it can be easily factored into design. Whether it’s by selecting naturally grippier decking or simply adding in slip resistant strips, creating safer outdoor spaces is an effortless task.
If you would like to discuss how to improve slip resistance for your decking, speak to one of our experts today.
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