How should I install temporary tactile studs and strips?
In some situations it may call for a temporary solution for accessibility and anti-slip purposes. Specifically if they’re to be installed on flooring in a rented building or the surface in question is only a temporary addition, like a ramp or flooring that’s due to be replaced. Installing studs or strips with drilling and resin can be a sizeable job and will, out of necessity, create holes in the underlying surface. But there are other options available that can be just as effective without that large a commitment.
Ideally for the best results in terms of durability and performance we always recommend drilling and resin with monolith or welded pin studs and strips. This is the default solution for a lot of situations. The following temporary solutions come with the drawback that they’re not as robust as drilling and resin but that comes with the nature of them being temporary.
Self-Adhesive Studs and Strips
For the ultimate low commitment installation self-adhesive tactile studs and strips are ideal. This is provided that the installation is taking place indoors where they wont be subjected to rain or other contaminants that may cause them to come unseated over time. Although if the surface is properly cleaned and treated and a good seal is secured they should be able to whether a decent amount of what the elements can throw at them. Of course the choice of self-adhesive is also important as not all adhesives are created equal. Our self-adhesive studs and strips have the option of being provided with 3M VHB 5925 as this offers a suitable bond for indoor installations. One of the great features of self-adhesive studs and strips is that they can be removed from the surface with relative ease and little in the way of damage to the surface. This can be achieved with Isopropyl Alcohol and some plastic tooling.
Pros
- Easy to fit
- No damage to underlying surfaces
- Easy to remove
- Can be re-used after removal
- Often a cheaper alternative to more permanent solutions
Cons
- Will come unseated eventually due to use over time and any contaminants i.e., water, oil, etc
- Not a good option for uncovered outdoor use
We do not recommend using resin in place of self-adhesive as there are no guarantees of a successful bond. Resin is best used as a cavity filling adhesive.
Screw Hole Studs and Strips
Screw hole studs and strips are another great option for temporary tactile devices but with a bit more staying power. Installing screw hole studs and strips does require some drilling but will leave much less of an impact on the surface than drilling to resin them in place. Their installation is also relatively straightforward provided the surface is a compact concrete, tile or wood. They can be installed by drilling and rawl plug before screwing them down in place. When it comes to their removal, screwed studs and strips can be unscrewed then the cavity underneath can be neatly filled. This method has the distinct advantage of being significantly more harder wearing than self-adhesive, with the downside of interfering with the underlying surface.
Pros
- Straight forward installation
- Somewhat easy removal
- Much more harder wearing when compared to self-adhesive
- Can be re-used after being removed
- Great for outdoor use
- They can be re-seated easily
- Screws and rawl plugs are cheap and widely available
Cons
- Requires drilling into the surface
Both self-adhesive and screw hole studs and strips can be a great alternative to drilling and resining them in place, dependent on the situation. In the short term self-adhesive are ideal for indoor surfaces that need to remain intact, while in the medium to longer term, screw hole provides much more durability if some disruption to the surface can be tolerated.