How to install anti-skate studs

Anti-skate stud installation guide

Anti-skate studs installed onto walls, ledges and coping stones are generally fixed by drilling into the surface and securing the fixing pins with epoxy resin. The process itself is relatively straightforward, but the position of the studs, condition of the surface and preparation of the fixing holes all have a bearing on the finished installation.

Before any holes are drilled, the correct stud needs to be selected for the surface and the layout should be marked out. Anti-skate studs are available with different dimensions, internal radii and fixing arrangements, so the installation method can vary slightly between products.

The guide below covers the typical installation of Studmarc wall-mounted anti-skate studs. Product-specific dimensions and installation information should always be checked before drilling.

The video below shows the installation process for a typical wall-mounted anti-skate stud.

What should be checked before installing anti-skate studs?

There are a few things worth establishing before starting the installation:

• The type and condition of the surface
• The length and width of the area requiring protection
• The profile or radius of the exposed edge
• The anti-skate stud being installed
• The position of each stud
• The required spacing
• The fixing pin dimensions
• The correct drill and drill bit
• The resin being used

The surface needs to be capable of accepting the fixing and should be checked for obvious damage before drilling. Particular care needs to be taken around edges, joints or areas of damaged stonework where drilling could affect the surrounding material.

If the anti-skate studs have not yet been selected, see How do I choose the right anti-skate stud? before setting out the installation.

What equipment is needed to install anti-skate studs?

For a standard drill-and-resin installation you will generally need:

• The anti-skate studs
• A suitable drill
• The correct drill bit for the substrate
• Epoxy resin
• A resin applicator gun where required
• Equipment for marking the stud positions
• A push pump, brush or other suitable method of clearing the drilled holes
• Cleaning materials
• Appropriate PPE

The drill diameter and depth should be based on the fixing dimensions of the stud being installed rather than using a single drilling size for every anti-skate product.

Step 1 – Measure and mark the installation

Start by establishing the section of the wall, coping or ledge that requires protection and marking the position of each anti-skate stud.

Studmarc generally recommends 500mm centres as the starting point for anti-skate stud spacing, although this can be adjusted according to the location and level of skate activity. Areas that are particularly exposed to grinding or repeated skate activity may require the studs to be positioned closer together.

For a fuller explanation, see How far apart should anti-skate studs be installed?.

It is worth marking the complete run before drilling the first hole. This gives you an opportunity to check the spacing, alignment and position of the final stud rather than discovering halfway through the installation that the layout needs to change.

If the installation is still being surveyed, see What measurements do I need for anti-skate studs? for the dimensions to take beforehand.

Step 2 – Check the position and orientation of the studs

Once the layout has been marked, place one of the studs in its intended position and check how it sits against the surface.

This is particularly important with anti-skate studs that have an internal radius. These are designed to follow the external edge of the wall or coping and will commonly overhang part of that edge.

The internal radius of the stud therefore needs to correspond with the profile beneath it. Installing a radiused stud against an unsuitable edge can prevent it from sitting in the position it was designed for.

Flat-bottomed designs such as the Hemisphere and Sleeper Anti-Skate Studs do not rely on the same relationship with the external edge, but their position should still be checked before drilling begins.

Step 3 – Drill the fixing holes

Drill the holes at the marked positions using a drill and bit appropriate for the installation surface.

The diameter, depth and number of holes will depend on the particular anti-skate stud. Studmarc wall-mounted designs generally use one or two fixing pins, with larger designs requiring two fixing points.

Check the product dimensions before drilling rather than working from the dimensions of a different stud. The hole needs to provide sufficient room for the fixing pin and resin without unnecessarily removing material from the substrate.

Where a stud uses two fixing pins, marking and drilling accurately becomes particularly important as both pins need to locate correctly without forcing the stud into position.

Step 4 – Remove dust and debris from the holes

Drilling into masonry, stone or concrete leaves dust inside the fixing hole. This should be removed before the resin is applied.

Use a suitable pump, brush or cleaning method to clear the hole and remove loose material from the surrounding surface.

This is a small part of the installation, but one that shouldn’t be skipped. The resin needs to make contact with the fixing pin and the material surrounding the hole rather than sitting against a layer of loose drilling dust.

Step 5 – Apply the epoxy resin

Prepare and apply the resin in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Studmarc uses epoxy resin for wall-mounted anti-skate studs because it provides a strong, long-lasting fixing and is suitable for a wide range of architectural surfaces. The threaded fixing pins used on Studmarc anti-skate studs also provide additional surface area for the resin to grip.

Apply sufficient resin into the drilled hole to secure the fixing once the stud is inserted, while allowing for any excess displaced by the fixing pin.

Different resins have different working times, curing periods and application requirements, so these should be checked before starting the installation.

For more detail on resin selection, equipment, application and quantities, see How to use epoxy resin to install architectural studs.

Step 6 – Insert and position the anti-skate studs

Insert the fixing pin or pins into the resin-filled holes and press the stud firmly into its final position.

Check that the stud is:

• Fully seated against the surface
• Facing in the correct direction
• Aligned with the rest of the installation
• Sitting correctly against the wall or coping edge
• Positioned at the intended spacing

For radiused studs, check that the internal profile makes the intended contact with the edge of the wall or coping.

Any excess resin pushed out around the fixing should be removed before it cures.

Continue along the installation using the marked positions rather than setting the position of each new stud from the one immediately before it. This helps prevent small spacing errors building up over a longer run.

Step 7 – Allow the resin to cure

Once installed, the studs should be left undisturbed while the resin cures.

The required curing period depends on the resin used and the conditions during installation, including temperature. Follow the instructions supplied with the chosen resin before treating the installation as fully fixed.

Avoid moving or testing the studs while the resin is still curing, as this can disturb the fixing before it has reached its intended strength.

Once cured, check the complete run for alignment, secure seating and any remaining resin on the surrounding surface.

How are handrail anti-skate studs installed?

Handrail anti-skate studs use a different installation method to the drill-and-resin process described above.

Rather than being resin-fixed into the surface, Studmarc handrail anti-skate studs are mechanically fixed through the handrail. The rail is drilled and the stud secured using a security fixing designed to prevent removal using a normal screwdriver.

The profile of the handrail also needs to be considered when specifying the stud so that the product sits correctly against the rail.

Because handrails form part of pedestrian access and guarding in many locations, the position and design of any addition to the handrail also needs to take the surrounding use into account.

For more information, see How does Part K of the Building Regulations apply to Handrail Anti-Skate Studs?.

What are the most common anti-skate stud installation mistakes?

Most problems with an installation can be traced back to the selection, setting out or preparation rather than the act of inserting the stud itself.

Common problems include:

• Selecting a stud that does not match the profile of the surface
• Starting installation without marking the complete run
• Using unsuitable spacing for the location
• Drilling the wrong diameter or depth
• Poor alignment of studs with two fixing pins
• Failing to remove drilling dust from the fixing holes
• Using a resin that is unsuitable for the substrate or conditions
• Allowing excess resin to cure on the finished surface
• Disturbing the studs before the resin has cured

Taking the time to set the installation out before drilling generally avoids most of these issues.

Choosing the right installation for the surface

Drill-and-resin is the standard fixing method for Studmarc wall-mounted anti-skate studs, but it is not the only way anti-skate protection can be installed.

Handrail studs use a mechanical security fixing, while certain anti-skate blade designs can be incorporated into mortar joints or retrofitted into existing structures.

The surface being protected should therefore be established before the fixing method is decided.

For a broader look at the different products, surfaces and fixing methods available, see Anti-skate studs – A complete guide.

Need help with an anti-skate installation?

If you’re unsure which anti-skate stud is suitable for a wall, coping, handrail or other surface, Studmarc can help determine the appropriate product, fixing and layout from the dimensions of the installation area.

View the full range of anti-skate studs or contact the Studmarc team with the dimensions and details of the surface requiring protection.