How do I specify anti-skate studs for a project?

Anti-skate stud specification considerations

Anti-skate studs should be specified according to their intended application, profile, material, finish, fixing method, substrate, spacing and environmental exposure. The specification should also account for the visual requirements of the project and whether the studs are being installed onto an existing surface or considered during construction.

Anti-skate studs are architectural fixtures installed on elements of hard landscaping and street furniture to discourage skateboards, rollerblades and BMX bikes from grinding across vulnerable surfaces while integrating with the surrounding architectural design.

What information do I need to specify anti-skate studs?

There are a number of key factors that go into specifying anti-skate studs, including:

• Installation location
• Product/profile
• Material
• Finish
• Dimensions
• Fixing method
• Substrate
• Spacing and layout
• Number of rows
• Environmental exposure
• Retrofit or new-build installation
• Quantity
• Bespoke requirements

Working through these points helps narrow down the available products and results in a specification suited to both the application and the architecture.

Where will the anti-skate studs be used?

The key starting point in the specification process is where the anti-skate studs will be installed. This immediately narrows down the available options, as different locations can require different profiles, dimensions and fixing methods.

Anti-skate studs can be positioned along ledges, walls, street furniture and other surfaces to prevent skateboards, rollerblades and BMX bikes from grinding across them.

Common applications include:

• Benches and seating
• Retaining walls
• Low walls and ledges
• Planters
• Steps
• Monuments and plinths
• Street furniture
• Building entrances
• Coping stones
• Handrails

Each location will have its own requirements, including the width and material of the surface, its edge profile, the level of deterrence required and the visual impact of the chosen stud. These factors then need to be matched to a suitable product.

Read more about selecting the right anti-skate stud.

How do I choose the right anti-skate stud profile?

Different anti-skate stud profiles are suited to different purposes. More prominent profiles can make the deterrent clearly visible and communicate its purpose, while smaller or less conspicuous profiles can blend more naturally into the surrounding architecture.

In some applications, site-specific constraints will narrow down which anti-skate studs are suitable. These factors should be identified during the specification process and compared against the dimensions and characteristics of the available products.

Key considerations include:

• Height above the surface – how much projection is appropriate for the application?
• Diameter or width – how much space is available on the surface?
• Edge profile – is the surface flat, square or radiused?
• Shape – is appearance a major consideration, and is there a profile that complements the surrounding architectural design?
• Visual prominence – should the stud clearly advertise its presence, or should it integrate more discreetly into the surrounding environment?
• Coverage – how much of the vulnerable edge does each stud need to obstruct?

There are a variety of anti-skate stud profiles available, including:

Hemisphere

The Hemisphere Anti-Skate Stud is a subtle, rounded profile that sits neatly on the surface and provides a relatively discreet anti-skate solution.

Sphere

The Sphere Anti-Skate Stud is a more visually prominent profile, useful where greater projection from the surface is required.

Torpedo

The Torpedo is a narrow, elongated profile that provides greater coverage across the width of a wall or ledge while remaining relatively discreet. It is available in designs suited to 4mm radius and 20mm radius surfaces.

Bar

The Bar Anti-Skate Stud is a clean, linear profile suited to applications where a wider obstruction is required or where straight architectural lines complement the surrounding design.

Lozenge

The Lozenge Anti-Skate Stud is a distinctive profile that provides an attractive alternative to more conventional rounded or linear stud designs.

Sleeper

The Sleeper Anti-Skate Stud is a larger anti-skate stud that can be positioned at different angles to better suit the application, available surface area or surrounding aesthetic.

The profile is only one part of the selection process. The dimensions and shape of the surface should also be checked against the product before it is added to the specification.

For a more detailed product comparison, see How do I choose the right anti-skate stud?.

What material should anti-skate studs be specified in?

316L stainless steel is the material we most commonly manufacture our anti-skate studs from. It combines the strength required for a physical deterrent with the corrosion resistance needed for long-term use in external architectural environments.

Anti-skate studs need to withstand repeated impacts alongside exposure to rain, snow, dirt and other environmental contaminants. Our standard anti-skate stud range is manufactured from 316L stainless steel for this reason.

The material should be considered alongside the environment in which the anti-skate stud will be installed rather than simply as an aesthetic choice.

Where a project has unusual architectural or aesthetic requirements, alternative materials may also be considered as part of a bespoke specification.

For more information on the material and its properties, read What is 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel?.

Which finish should I specify for anti-skate studs?

The finish of an anti-skate stud will largely be determined by the appearance required and how the finished installation should interact with the surrounding architecture.

Many of our anti-skate studs use a bright or machine-polished stainless steel finish, while other profiles are available with a more muted satin-polished appearance.

A brighter finish will generally make the stud more visually prominent, particularly against darker stone or masonry. A satin finish can provide a more understated appearance where the intention is for the deterrent to integrate more discreetly into the surrounding design.

The finish can be considered alongside nearby architectural elements such as:

• Handrails and balustrades
• Street furniture
• Stonework and coping
• Cladding
• Other metalwork
• Existing architectural features

Where appearance is particularly important, bespoke material or finish requirements can also be considered.

How should anti-skate studs be fixed?

The fixing method will depend on the anti-skate stud selected and the surface onto which it is being installed.

Most anti-skate studs designed for walls, ledges, coping stones and similar masonry surfaces use fixing pins installed into drilled holes and secured using a suitable epoxy resin.

At specification stage, the important points are to identify the type of fixing, make sure the substrate can accommodate it and establish that enough fixing depth is available.

Handrail anti-skate studs use a different arrangement. These are designed around the dimensions and curvature of the handrail and use a mechanical security fixing rather than the standard drilled and resin-fixed installation. The dimensions of the handrail therefore need to be established before the stud is specified.

For detailed installation guidance, see How to use epoxy resin to install architectural studs.

What substrate will the anti-skate studs be installed into?

The installation substrate needs to be identified before an anti-skate stud is specified because it can affect both the available products and fixing methods.

Anti-skate studs can be installed into a range of architectural surfaces, including:

• Natural stone
• Cast stone
• Granite
• Sandstone
• Concrete
• Brick
• Timber
• Steel and other metalwork

The main considerations at specification stage are the material, its condition, the available fixing depth and the position of any exposed edges, joints or other features that could affect installation.

The fixing method can also change according to the substrate. A drilled and resin-fixed installation is commonly used for masonry, while timber and metal surfaces can require alternative fixing arrangements.

Thin, brittle or deteriorated materials may not provide enough suitable material for a conventional drilled fixing and may require another approach.

For a full breakdown of individual substrates and their requirements, see What surfaces can anti-skate studs be installed on?.

What measurements do I need before specifying anti-skate studs?

The measurements required will depend on where the anti-skate studs are being installed.

For a wall, ledge or coping stone, the key dimensions will usually include:

• The overall length requiring protection
• The width of the surface
• The thickness or available fixing depth
• The distance available from the exposed edge
• The profile or radius of the edge
• Any slopes, curves or changes in profile
• The location of joints and other obstructions

These measurements help establish which studs will physically fit the surface before considering the final spacing and quantity.

Handrail applications require a different set of measurements, with the diameter or dimensions of the rail determining whether the corresponding handrail anti-skate stud is suitable.

For a complete measurement checklist, see What measurements do I need for anti-skate studs?.

How should anti-skate studs be spaced?

Spacing should be established according to the selected profile, dimensions of the surface and the level of deterrence required.

We use approximately 500mm centres as a general starting recommendation, although this is not a fixed measurement for every project.

The final spacing can be affected by:

• The anti-skate stud being used
• The width and shape of the wall or ledge
• The amount of surface requiring protection
• Whether the surface can be approached from one or both sides
• The level of skateboarding activity
• Joints, cracks and other obstructions
• The visual requirements of the project

At specification stage, the aim is to establish a layout that provides sufficient coverage without leaving large usable sections of the surface between the studs.

For detailed guidance on setting out, spacing and calculating quantities, see How far apart should anti-skate studs be installed?.

How many rows of anti-skate studs should I specify?

The number of rows required will depend mainly on the width of the surface and how it can be approached by a skater.

A narrow wall or ledge may only require a single row of anti-skate studs. A wider coping stone or wall top may leave another usable edge exposed if only one side is protected, in which case a second row may be needed.

Where two rows are required, the studs can also be staggered where appropriate to interrupt more of the available surface.

Rather than specifying a fixed number of rows in isolation, the overall width of the surface and the edges that can realistically be used for grinding should be considered first.

How many anti-skate studs will I need?

Once the vulnerable length, spacing and number of rows have been established, the approximate quantity can be calculated.

At the general starting spacing of 500mm centres, allow approximately two anti-skate studs for each linear metre requiring protection in a single-row installation.

The final quantity may vary depending on:

• The position of the first and last stud
• Corners and changes in direction
• Joints
• Surface irregularities
• Multiple rows
• Areas that do not require protection
• Changes to the intended spacing

The final setting-out arrangement should therefore be used to confirm the quantity rather than relying solely on the overall linear measurement.

For more detailed guidance, see How far apart should anti-skate studs be installed?.

Does environmental exposure affect the specification?

Environmental exposure should be considered for any external anti-skate installation, particularly in coastal locations or other aggressive environments.

Relevant conditions can include:

• Airborne salts and chlorides
• Road salt
• Persistent moisture
• High humidity
• Rain and snow
• Pollution and other surface contaminants
• Cleaning chemicals

316L stainless steel provides a suitable starting point for most external architectural applications and is used as standard throughout our anti-skate stud range.

More demanding environments should still be considered individually rather than assuming the material alone makes every installation suitable.

Coastal applications are a good example. 316L stainless steel provides greater resistance to chloride-induced corrosion than less resistant stainless steel grades, but the severity of exposure, surface finish and expected maintenance should still form part of the specification.

For more information, see Are anti-skate studs suitable for coastal environments?.

Should I specify anti-skate studs differently for retrofit and new-build projects?

Whether the anti-skate studs are being retrofitted or considered during construction can affect the available options.

On a retrofit project, the existing architecture dictates much of the specification. The surface material, dimensions, condition, edge profile and available fixing depth will already be established, so the anti-skate stud needs to be selected around them.

A new-build project gives greater freedom to consider anti-skate protection alongside the surrounding architecture from the outset. Factors such as coping dimensions, edge profiles, fixing depth, stud position and layout can all be coordinated before the relevant elements are manufactured or installed.

Considering anti-skate protection earlier can also open up alternative options. Certain anti-skate blades, for example, can be incorporated into mortar joints during construction, while retrofit versions are available for existing walls.

For a detailed comparison, see Anti-skate studs vs anti-skate blades: which should I use?.

Can anti-skate studs be made to a bespoke specification?

Standard anti-skate stud profiles will cover many applications, but not every architectural surface follows a standard size or shape.

A bespoke anti-skate stud may be appropriate where an unusual coping radius, wall profile, handrail dimension or architectural requirement prevents a standard product from being used.

Depending on the project, bespoke requirements can include:

• Modified dimensions
• Different profiles
• Alternative internal radii
• Project-specific fixing arrangements
• Alternative materials
• Bespoke finishes
• Different positioning or orientation

This can be particularly useful on heritage projects, monuments and architecturally sensitive locations where the deterrent needs to complement an existing design rather than look like an addition to it.

Where a standard anti-skate stud does not match the project, drawings, photographs and measurements of the installation area can be used to establish whether a bespoke solution is required.

What should be included in an anti-skate stud specification?

Once the previous factors have been established, they can be brought together into the final product specification.

A typical anti-skate stud specification could include:

Manufacturer: Studmarc
Product: [Anti-skate stud/profile]
Application: Anti-skate protection
Material: 316L stainless steel
Finish: [Specified finish]
Dimensions: [Product dimensions]
Fixing: [Fixing pin/mechanical fixing]
Substrate: [Stone/concrete/timber/metal/etc.]
Spacing: [Specified centres]
Number of rows: [Single/double/etc.]
Layout: In accordance with project drawings
Environment: [Internal/external/coastal/etc.]
Quantity: [Required quantity]
Installation: In accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations

The exact information will vary depending on the product and project, but defining these points helps make sure that the anti-skate stud selected at specification stage is appropriate for the surface, required level of deterrence and surrounding architecture.

Where a standard Studmarc product is being specified, the relevant product page and specification sheet can then be used to establish the exact dimensions, material, fixing arrangement and other product-specific information.

For more detail on matching a product to a particular application, read How do I choose the right anti-skate stud? or view the complete anti-skate stud range.

If you’re unsure which anti-skate stud is suitable for a project, send us the drawings, photographs and relevant measurements and we can help identify an appropriate product and layout.