Rubber

Measuring and Installing Rubber Stair Treads

Measuring, scribing, nose filler, adhesive or tape, and rolling rubber stair treads, from Roppe and Johnsonite installation instructions.

Updated · 2 min read

Rubber treads follow the same basic process as vinyl: tight scribe, supported nose, full adhesion. The rubber-specific details below follow two major tread makers' instructions.[1][2]

Measure and check the nose

The step's nose shape has to match the tread.

  • Roppe's square nose treads are 1-9/16" at the nose and round nose treads are 1-3/8", with depth around 12-5/16".[1]
  • If the step profile doesn't match the tread, stop: continuing isn't recommended and voids the warranty.[1]
  • Treads ship 1/2" to 3/4" long for fitting. Butted treads can differ by no more than 1/16" in thickness.[1]

Scribe

Scribing from a center line keeps both ends tight.

  1. Mark center lines on the step and the tread.
  2. Rough cut the tread at least 1/4" deeper than the step.
  3. Scribe each end to the stringers with dividers, leaving no more than a 1/16" gap.
  4. Scribe the back edge using a spacer.[1]

Nose filler

Unsupported noses crack. Roppe requires epoxy nose filler on remodels, on worn steps, and wherever the gap is over 1/4". At 1/2" or more, the step needs other substrate prep. Before you use a new nozzle, purge 5 to 6" so the epoxy is mixed.[1] Johnsonite keeps its adhesive back 1/2" from the step edge and fills that space with its 930 epoxy caulk.[2]

Adhesive or tape

Bond every nose, including square and ADA steps.

  • Roppe's tread tape (TP-620) or contact adhesive (C-631) bonds the nose. Place tape about 1" from the leading edge. Tape allows immediate traffic.[1]
  • For the field, Roppe's PS-525 uses a 1/16" V-notch on absorptive substrates and a 1/16 x 1/32 x 1/32 U-notch on non-absorptive ones.[1]

Set, roll and finish

Rolling is what gets the tread into full contact.

  1. Set the tread nose first, then the field.
  2. Roll within 30 minutes for Roppe,[1] or roll firmly with a small hand roller once the Johnsonite installation is complete.[2]
  3. Trim abrasive inserts 1/16" at each end after installation.
  4. Keep traffic off for 24 hours, and wait 72 hours before the first cleaning.[1]

Common mistakes

Most rubber tread failures are at the nose or the ends.

  • Wrong nose profile for the step.
  • Skipping epoxy on worn steps.
  • Unmixed epoxy from a new nozzle. Purge it first.
  • Traffic too soon.

Vinyl treads are covered in Installing vinyl stair treads and risers.

Treads and tools we carry

These are the rubber treads, nosing and stair tools we stock.

References

  1. Roppe: Rubber stair tread installation
  2. Johnsonite (Tarkett): Treads, nosings, risers and stringers installation

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