Why You Need a Durable Swimming Pool Tread
A good quality pool step won’t move around or float in the water, making them safe and easy to use. They will also keep you from slipping when climbing in and out of your pool.
Traditional bolt on steps have come a long way, offering many options. If you are looking for a more refined finish, however, consider vinyl over steps.
Comfort
A good set of swimming pool steps is a welcome replacement for a rickety ladder. They can help children get in and out of the water without having to jump or struggle. They also allow older swimmers to enter and exit the pool with ease. In addition, they are easy on the feet and provide a comfortable place to sit while enjoying the cool water of the pool.
Pool steps should be as wide as possible to provide a comfortable passage for those entering or leaving the pool. Most code-approved pool stairs are at least 10 inches from the deck surface to the top of the step. Some are even wider to provide extra support for unsteady swimmers.
The best pool steps are sturdy, durable and safe to use. They should be built of a high-quality material that can withstand heavy use. They should also feature non-slippery treads and handrails to help prevent falls and injuries. In addition, they should be easy to clean and resistant to algae growth.
Some pools have steps located along the wall, some at the deep end or a swim out and can vary in size. They can be rounded, squared or straight edged and come in different colors. They are often designed to match the style of your pool.
Sturdy thermoplastic in-wall pool stairs provide functionality and beauty to any pool design. Latham’s thermoplastic steps are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors to fit any pool design. Some include a built-in lounge swimming pool tread area for relaxing and even a sun ledge that can be used to gather with family and friends.
The safety of your swimmers is a big priority when it comes to installing pool steps. A quality set of pool stairs will have an anti-slippery textured tread that provides the traction necessary for a solid footing. They should also be easy to install, requiring no special tools. Most pool steps also feature safety handrails to help swimmers stay steady and avoid falling while stepping in or out of the water.
A premium 36” Easy Entry System is ideal for families, larger swimmers or those who are physically challenged. The larger tread offers a comfortable passage and allows family members to sit side by side while assisting the person getting in or out of the water.
Safety
If you have a pool, you need a way for swimmers to safely exit and enter the water. Steps, ladders and a swim platform are some of the most common ways to get in or out of your pool. Pool ladder treads can become slippery over time, so it’s important to replace them regularly. New treads offer better traction, which helps prevent slips and missteps that can lead to injuries.
The most popular type of step is a ladder that attaches to the coping and reaches into the water. It is a safe and convenient way to get into the pool, especially for beginners or younger swimmers who might not be ready to attempt a dive or use the swim platform. Ladders have a handrail that provides an additional safety measure. When selecting a ladder for your swimming pool, consider how often you will use it and whether your family will include children who might need assistance in climbing or entering the water.
Other types of steps can also be a good choice for your pool. The curved inground pool steps have non-slip wide treads and a gradual grade into the water for easy access for swimmers of any age or size. They can be built on a shallow wall, along the entire pool width (with or without a sun ledge), in a corner, and more.
A heavy-duty swimming pool ladder is another option for safe entries and exits. These ladders have a cross brace for added stability, and they can accommodate a variety of pool deck thicknesses. They also have molded nut inserts, which eliminate the need for exterior nuts and provide an extra level of security and safety. Some ladders also have a step reference locator to help users find the proper position when setting up the ladder.
Other safety features to consider for your pool include a good water circulation system, lighting, and proper filtration. These measures will help keep your water clean and free from algae. Additionally, it’s important to teach your kids about swimming safety and never enter or exit the water from any structures other than the diving board or steps. They should also be aware that flippers are longer than their regular feet and shouldn’t kick or jump in front of other swimmers.
Durability
When you choose to replace your existing pool steps, durability is a big factor. Whether they are a safety precaution for elderly or disabled members of your family, or simply a way to enter and exit the pool without climbing on a ladder, swimming pool treads must be durable enough to stand up to repeated use and the elements. Our replacement swimming pool steps are vacuum molded from Luran, a state-of-the-art thermoplastic that offers superior strength and durability to traditional steps made of vinyl-coated metal or acrylic and fiberglass. With outstanding resistance to UV light and to extreme weather and ground conditions, these durable swimming pool steps will not corrode, splinter or delaminate, meaning they will last for years with very little maintenance.
A variety of options exist for your replacement swimming pool steps, from basic curved, wedding cake style steps that offer non-slip protection to more advanced stair units designed for in-ground pools and offering both comfort and style to your pool. Some stair units can also double as a built in lounge, and are available in an array of colors to complement any swimming pool.
For a sleek look, consider a vinyl over step that sits within the barriers of your pool’s walls rather than jutting out like a majority of bolt on steps. These can be used with either a liner or a concrete/gunite finish, and the variety of design options is almost limitless – corner, rounded, straight-edged and more.
If you are looking for a more dramatic entry system, the Confer Above Ground 4-Tread Wedding Cake Entry System is a great option that features a base unit that can be combined with a Curve Step Add-On to create a wedding cake style step and a matching curved deck area to allow swimmers to ease in and out of the water comfortably. Each step is individually supported by rigid pipe columns, which offer strong reinforcement and minimize stress on the whole system. This unique system will impress your guests and is easy to install.
Style
For many pool owners, the style of their steps and surrounding area is equally important as the safety features. There are a number of different types of swimming pool steps to suit any design aesthetics. Aside from the typical pool ladder tread, pool owners can also opt for a decorative or textured step surface, a tanning ledge and other seating options to provide comfortable places for lounging or socializing.
Typically, steps should have a depth of about 8 to 10 inches. While this may be a little deeper than some people are used to, it is essential for balance and safety. Pool steps that rise up only a couple of inches at a time create a tripping hazard because we are not programmed to move that quickly in water. Steps that are too deep can also be a drowning risk.
Pool steps should be located adjacent to the water and well-lit for safety. They should also have contrasting trim tile to give the often-invisible steps visual definition. This is especially important for older or disabled homeowners who might need a handhold to steady themselves as they navigate swimming pool tread the stairs. Some builders even add return jets to steps to help circulate the pool water. This keeps the steps from becoming a trap for dirt and debris.
For a luxurious look and feel, some owners choose to add a curved set of French curves or an elegantly rounded stair case. This type of detail is especially popular with spas where the staircase wraps around each corner of the spa for a few feet. In addition, some manufacturers offer a variety of color matched steps and jets to further enhance the look. For example, the CMP Deluxe pulsating massage jet is available in 6 colors that match the color of your pool.
For a modern and sleek look, pool owners can opt for vinyl-over or molded steps. Both methods allow for a wide array of choices including seating, sun ledges and other special features like fountains and bubblers. The main difference is that vinyl-over steps sit within the pool boundaries unlike most bolt-on designs while molded steps are built out into the pool walls.
