Self-adhesive tactile studs and strips can be a great solution for many different surfaces, often preferable to those with fixing pins. Their application is simple, and they don’t require any drilling or cause any disruption to the surrounding area. The important thing is identifying the correct surface and setting for their use.
We recommend self-adhesive tactile studs and strips primarily for indoor use. It is entirely possible to get good adhesion and enjoy long-term use outdoors, but for outdoor applications, we would recommend using a stud or strip with a fixing pin. This is due to weathering, the nature of the underlying surfaces, and the types of traffic they’re going to encounter.
Self-adhesive tactile studs and strips can be applied to both porous and non-porous surfaces, making it a catch-all for indoor surfaces. Non-porous surfaces are always preferable as they tend to provide a better bonding surface for the adhesive. Bear in mind that the method of application will change slightly for porous surfaces – you can read more about that here.
Self-adhesion works incredibly well with surfaces like ceramic tiles and artificial stone, like the kinds of surfaces you’d find in a shopping centre. It’s a great solution for the likes of shopping centres, cinemas, hotel foyers, and anywhere with a similar type of flooring, as it introduces the least amount of disruption and can be removed later should the layout need changing. It’s not quite as big of a commitment as drilling into the floor but still provides that longevity.
They can also be applied to wood and concrete but in this scenario fixing pins may be preferable with screw holes being ideal for wooden surfaces. Read more about applying tactile studs and strips to wooden surfaces here.
When applied correctly on a prepared surface, self-adhesive tactile studs and strips will endure the test of time. Especially indoors, as they’re not going to come up against harsh weather conditions or vehicular traffic like they would in an outdoor setting. Again, that’s not to say self-adhesion is a sub-optimal choice for outdoor use, but when there’s an option to drill and resin your studs and strips, it’s best to take that route for peace of mind.
Our self-adhesive tactile studs and strips use 3M VHB 5925 as standard. We chose this self-adhesive because it holds up the best against heavy traffic and severe weather in the event of outdoor installation. It’s also highly effective without priming the surface, so it’s an extra guarantee of a good bond.
Other types of self-adhesive include: