Product
Fiberglass Stair Tread Covers for Existing Steps
Updated
Fiberglass stair tread covers are gritted plates with a nosing, fitted over sound but worn or slippery concrete, steel or wood steps. US makers publish covers about 1/8" to 1/4" (3.2–6.4 mm) thick. Strongrate's catalog lists pultruded nosing covers with aluminum-oxide grit, fixed with adhesive or bolts, including a version that glows for up to 8 hours.
Strongrate stair tread covers (catalog)
- Nosing covers
- Pultruded stair nosing covers with an aluminum-oxide grit surfaceValues as printed in the factory catalog (2023); confirmed in your quote and submittal drawings.
- Glow-in-the-dark version
- Glows for up to 8 hoursValues as printed in the factory catalog (2023); confirmed in your quote and submittal drawings.For stairs with limited light
- Fixing
- Adhesive or bolts, over concrete, wood or steel stepsValues as printed in the factory catalog (2023); confirmed in your quote and submittal drawings.
- Gritted flat sheet and strip
- Pultruded, gritted on one side, for laying over existing decks and floors
- Also listed
- FRP stair tread covers, including hand lay-up covers (strongrate.com)
- Made in
- Nantong, Jiangsu, China; ships from China
What sizes do fiberglass stair tread covers come in?
US makers publish covers about 1/8" to 1/4" (3.2–6.4 mm) thick, 8" to 12" (203–305 mm) deep and up to 12 ft (3.66 m) long, with a nosing about 2" (51 mm) wide, commonly dark gray or black with a contrasting yellow nosing. Strongrate cover sizes are confirmed with your quote; send your step sizes as below.
How do you measure steps for tread covers?
How to measure existing steps for fiberglass tread covers
Tools
- Tape measure
- Notepad or phone for a step-by-step size list
Step 1: Measure the width of each step
Measure from side to side at the front edge and at the back of every tread; older stairs often vary from step to step. Order covers to the smaller width, or order long and cut to fit.
Step 2: Measure the tread depth
Measure from the riser face to the front edge of the step, and note the shape of the front edge (square, rounded or chipped), because the cover nosing wraps over it.
Step 3: Record the step material and condition
Note whether each step is concrete, steel plate or wood, and whether it is sound. The fixing method depends on the material, and a cover adds no strength.
Step 4: Check the first and last risers
A cover raises every tread by its plate thickness, which changes the first and last riser of the flight. Check them against OSHA 29 CFR 1910.25, which limits standard-stair risers to 9-1/2" (241 mm), and against your local code.
Step 5: Count, choose and send
Count the steps by size, choose the nosing color, and request a quote with the delivery ZIP code and need-by date.
How are tread covers fitted over concrete, steel or wood?
A tread cover adds a gritted walking surface and a contrasting nosing; it does not add strength, so the existing step must carry the load. Covers are cut to length with carbide or diamond tooling; see how to cut fiberglass grating.
| Existing step | Check before covering | Strongrate fixing method |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | Sound surface; cracks, spalls and broken front edges repaired; clean and dry | Adhesive or bolts1 |
| Steel plate or checker plate | Rust and loose coatings removed; step does not flex underfoot | Adhesive or bolts1 |
| Wood | No rot; step firmly fixed to the stringers | Adhesive or bolts1 |
Notes
- 1Values as printed in the factory catalog (2023); confirmed in your quote and submittal drawings.
| Situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sound concrete, steel or wood steps that are worn or slippery | Tread covers | Adds a gritted surface and a visible nosing without removing the stair |
| Corroded, cracked or under-strength steps | Stair treads | A cover adds no strength; grating treads span the stringers and are designed to the tread loads in US guide specifications |
| Outdoor stair where water or debris should drain through | Stair treads | Open grating drains; a tread cover is solid plate |
For decks and floors, Strongrate's catalog also lists gritted pultruded flat sheet and strip, and molded grating edge ramps 1" (25 mm) or 2" (50 mm) thick.
How are tread covers quoted and shipped?
Made in Nantong, China, and shipped from China. Facility-wide retrofit programs are quoted factory-direct; one or two flights, orders under about 500 sq ft, or needs in under 3 weeks are referred to US stocking importers. Prices are quoted per project: see fiberglass grating price per square foot, fiberglass grating suppliers in the US or request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Are fiberglass tread covers fire rated?
Ask for ASTM E84 results on the finished cover: Fibergrate’s guide specification rejects fire data run only on the resin. The E84 results on Strongrate’s DNV certificate apply to six grating models only, not to tread covers.
Can tread covers be cut to length on site?
Yes. Fiberglass is cut with carbide or diamond tooling. US guide specifications for fiberglass grating require cut edges to be sealed with resin; ask whether the cover supplier requires the same.
Can tread covers be used on outdoor stairs?
Yes, if they resist UV: Strongwell’s guide specification requires FRP products exposed to weather to contain an ultraviolet inhibitor. Mention outdoor use in your quote request.
Request a quote
Send the number of steps by width and depth, step material, nosing color and delivery ZIP code. Quotes within 1 business day (US Central time).
Sources
- Strongwell stair treads and covers (DURATREAD): thickness, depths, lengths, colors (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- Direct Metals fiberglass stair treads and covers page (colors) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- McNichols, Getting Started with Fiberglass Grating (nosing widths) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.25, Stairways (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- Fibergrate molded grating guide specification (Section 06610); Bedford grating FAQ: cutting tools, sealing cut edges, fire data on the finished grating (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- Strongrate product catalog “Your Best FRP Solution” (Sep 2023), supplied by the site owner: stair covers, flat sheet and strip, ramps (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- Strongrate website page titles (search index): FRP stair tread covers (accessed Oct 15, 2026)