Decking- wire mesh to prevent slipping

[Stringman_uk]

Hi all

We have a very large decking area to the rear off the house (long story as to how we ended up getting it!).
Sadly the rear of the house is the main entrance.
Now autumn and winter are on the way it is turning very very slippy.
As its now to wet to paint/varnish we are looking at some anti slip measures.
The deck grooves run in the direction we are walking to get to the side of the house and that is about 4.5m and the "walkway" would be about 50cm wide.

I looked at the gripping strips (screw on type) which are 5cm wide. leaving a gap of 5 cm between each strip I would need about 24 so thats about £100.

So my next thought was chicken wire, cheap, effective but looks horrible.

So I am now looking a wire mesh.
I am thinking of galvanised steel which I will staple to the decking and remove in the spring.
Unsure on whether to go with 6mm holes , 13mm or 25mm .
My thoughts is that the 6mm will be too small a hole.

Any thoughts and advice (apart from gritted paint etc)are appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Wayners]

Go for the cheapest.
Don't think size matters. Well not in your case.

 

[Stringman_uk]

I was thinking if the holes were to small, there would be too much (slippy) metal?

 

[jj4091]

non slip garden matting - Google Search

 

[Stringman_uk]

non slip garden matting - Google Search

Thats more expensive than the strips sadly

 

[scbk]

25mm weldmesh would be fine, I would say get a heavy gauge, and don't try removing it in the spring

 

[RepairingDave]

What sort of staples were you thinking of using? If you use small galvanised ones then they can be different to get out and almost impossible without damaging the wood.

It says this matting is suitable for outdoor use:
https://www.screwfix.com/c/safety-workwear/matting/cat9630001
- maybe others could advise how effective it would be in the winter months.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

Surely putting all these little holes in the timber is only going to shorten its life?

 

[Odds]

you can buy anti-slip strips to align across the decking cheaply enough.

 

[Stringman_uk]

What sort of staples were you thinking of using? If you use small galvanised ones then they can be different to get out and almost impossible without damaging the wood.

It says this matting is suitable for outdoor use:
https://www.screwfix.com/c/safety-workwear/matting/cat9630001
- maybe others could advise how effective it would be in the winter months.

I actually have some of those so may try that 1st

 

[Stringman_uk]

you can buy anti-slip strips to align across the decking cheaply enough.

if you mean something like this

50mm Wide Non-Slip Anti-Skid Decking Strips - Safety and Style for Out

Anti-Slip Decking Strips - TreadGrip® CHEAPEST PRICE GUARANTEED - CUT TO YOUR EXACT SIZE FREE OF CHARGE We are the only company in the UK that sells genuine TreadGrip®. The best grade anti-slip decking strip made to last and last. To guarantee the best quality and value for money, always insist...

slipsaway.co.uk

Thats what I mentioned in my original post, saying they were too expensive.

 

[Stringman_uk]

Surely putting all these little holes in the timber is only going to shorten its life?

I cant imaging tiny 3mm deep holes will shorten its life that much ??

 

[Odds]

if you mean something like this

50mm Wide Non-Slip Anti-Skid Decking Strips - Safety and Style for Out

Anti-Slip Decking Strips - TreadGrip® CHEAPEST PRICE GUARANTEED - CUT TO YOUR EXACT SIZE FREE OF CHARGE We are the only company in the UK that sells genuine TreadGrip®. The best grade anti-slip decking strip made to last and last. To guarantee the best quality and value for money, always insist...

slipsaway.co.uk

Thats what I mentioned in my original post, saying they were too expensive.

£2.75 @ Suregrip.co.uk

 

[Stringman_uk]

£2.75 @ Suregrip.co.uk

Like I said, I looked at that first but, as per my OP, 5 strips wide x 9 to get 4.5m = 45 strips at £3. =30 £148.5
More than my OP suggested

 

[Odds]

It all depends how big a price you want to put on being safe rather than sorry - cheaper alternatives may not suit your decking style and reduce the quality.