GripDeck® Insert Service
Send suitable new timber decking boards to our factory and GripDeck® will inspect and prepare them where required before factory-bonding anti-slip inserts into the decking. In most cases the boards are supplied already machined with suitable insert grooves, allowing our inserts to be bonded directly into the prepared grooves.
Factory-Applied Anti-Slip Inserts for Your Timber
The GripDeck® Insert Service is designed for timber merchants, decking manufacturers, joinery companies, contractors and specifiers who already have suitable new timber decking boards and want them upgraded with factory-applied anti-slip inserts to create non-slip timber decking before installation.
Your timber is delivered to our factory ready for the GripDeck® Insert Service. In most cases the decking has already been machined by the timber mill, including the grooves that will receive the GripDeck® anti-slip inserts. We inspect and prepare the boards before factory-bonding our inserts using specialist resin and hard-wearing aggregate.
Where suitable smooth decking boards are supplied without insert grooves, GripDeck® can cut the required grooves before the inserts are applied.
Factory Insert Service, Not Retrofit Decking Strips
This page is for the factory-applied GripDeck® Insert Service, where suitable new timber decking boards are prepared where required and finished with bonded anti-slip inserts before installation. It is different from RetroGrip®, which is a retrofit decking insert and anti-slip strip product for suitable existing grooved decking already fitted on site.
If you are a timber merchant, decking manufacturer, joinery company or contractor supplying new decking boards, this service allows you to create anti-slip, non-slip or slip-resistant timber decking from your chosen timber species before it reaches site.
How the GripDeck® Insert Service Works
The GripDeck® Insert Service allows timber merchants, contractors and manufacturers to send suitable new timber decking boards to our factory, where the boards are inspected, prepared where required and finished with factory-bonded anti-slip inserts under controlled manufacturing conditions.
This service is ideal where a project requires a specific timber species, bespoke board size or customer-supplied material while still benefiting from GripDeck® factory-bonded anti-slip insert technology, tested slip resistance and a finished decking surface with improved grip.
Preparing Timber for the GripDeck® Insert Service
The most efficient way to use the GripDeck® Insert Service is to have the decking fully machined by the timber supplier before it is delivered to our factory.
For grooved decking, we recommend that the grooves used to receive the GripDeck® anti-slip inserts are machined at the same time as the main decking profile. This reduces production time, helps ensure consistent insert positioning and allows the boards to move directly into our preparation and factory-bonding process.
Where smooth decking is specified and suitable insert grooves are not already present, GripDeck® can cut the grooves before applying the inserts.
Already Grooved Decking
Most boards arrive already machined with the required insert grooves, ready for preparation and bonding.
Mill-Machined Insert Grooves
Where timber is being profiled by a mill, we normally recommend cutting the GripDeck® insert grooves during the same machining process.
Smooth Decking Boards
Where suitable smooth boards are supplied, GripDeck® can cut the insert grooves before the anti-slip inserts are applied.
Who Is the Insert Service For?
Timber Merchants
Send suitable customer-specified timber to GripDeck® for factory-applied anti-slip inserts before onward supply to contractors, merchants or project sites.
Contractors & Installers
Use your chosen timber boards while still benefiting from GripDeck® anti-slip insert technology and a factory-finished non-slip, slip-resistant decking surface.
Architects & Specifiers
Useful where a project requires a specific timber species, board size or profile with tested anti-slip performance and a factory-applied insert layout.
Commercial Projects
Suitable for public access routes, boardwalk decking, bridges, platforms, hotels, marinas and visitor attractions.
Specialist Timber Projects
Ideal where non-standard timber, bespoke widths, specialist profiles or species such as European Redwood, Yellow Balau, Iroko, Oak, Cumaru, Garapa or thermally modified timber are required.
FSC® Certified Timber
GripDeck® can act as an outsourcer for FSC® certified timber projects where suitable arrangements are in place.
How the Insert Service Works
1. Send Project Details
Tell us your timber species, board size, profile, quantity, required insert layout, treatment status and delivery timescale.
2. Suitability Check
We confirm whether the timber, board profile and insert grooves are suitable for the GripDeck® Insert Service and factory bonding.
3. Timber Delivered to Factory
Your timber is delivered to our factory dry, clean and ready for production. In most cases the boards should already be machined with the required insert grooves.
4. Inserts Applied
GripDeck® prepares the boards where required before factory-bonding the anti-slip inserts into the prepared grooves under controlled conditions.
5. Quality Checked
Boards are checked before being packed ready for collection, onward delivery or return transport.
6. Ready for Installation
Your timber boards are returned as finished anti-slip or non-slip decking, ready for installation by your contractor or onward supply.
Insert Layout Options
GripDeck® offers a professional factory insert service for suitable customer-supplied timber decking. In most cases the boards arrive with the insert grooves already machined, ready for preparation and factory bonding. Insert layouts can be specified to suit the board width, timber species and intended application, with 2 and 3 insert configurations being the most common for creating non-slip decking boards.
2 Insert Layout
The standard factory-applied insert layout, suitable for around 90% of commercial and domestic decking applications requiring improved decking grip.
View Test Results
3 Insert Layout
Often specified where pedestrian traffic follows the length of the decking boards, including bridges, ramps, boardwalks and long public walkways.
Discuss LayoutBespoke Insert Options
Custom insert layouts can often be produced to suit specialist board sizes, timber species, project specifications and required levels of decking grip or slip resistance.
Get AdviceTimber Suitability
GripDeck® inserts can be applied to many suitable softwood, hardwood and thermally modified decking boards, but timber condition and species are important. Boards must be dry, clean and stable, with suitable grooves for the GripDeck® inserts. Where grooves are not already present, GripDeck® can cut them into suitable smooth decking before applying the inserts, and the timber must be stable and suitable for the intended anti-slip or non-slip decking application.
| Timber Requirement | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Dry timber | Wet timber or timber wet with treatment fluid can prevent reliable preparation and bonding. |
| Suitable board profile | Board width, depth and profile determine what factory-applied insert layout can be applied. |
| Stable timber species | Excessive movement, twisting or checking may affect insert performance. |
| Clean board surface | Boards should be free from contamination that could affect preparation or bonding. |
| Suitable moisture condition | Pre-treated timber must be fully air dried before the inserts can be applied and bonded. |
Before or After Timber Treatment?
For the quickest and most effective service, we normally recommend sending timber to us before softwood treatment where possible. GripDeck® inserts bond well to untreated timber, and the inserts will not be harmed by the timber treatment process after they have been applied.
If timber has already been treated, it must be fully air dried before GripDeck® inserts can be added. Wet treatment fluid can delay production and may add several days to the turnaround time because the timber must be dry enough for reliable preparation and bonding.
Popular Applications
GripDeck®'s factory anti-slip insert service is used by timber merchants, decking manufacturers, joinery companies and contractors to produce premium non-slip and slip-resistant timber decking for a wide range of commercial, public access and residential projects. We can prepare suitable boards where required and factory-bond anti-slip inserts into many timber species, including European Redwood, Yellow Balau, Iroko, Oak, Cumaru, Garapa and thermally modified timber.
Bridges & Public Access
Factory-applied anti-slip decking for bridges, boardwalks, ramps, public footpaths and infrastructure projects.
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Visitor Attractions
Trusted by zoos, country parks, heritage attractions and visitor destinations throughout the UK where slip-resistant timber decking is required.
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Marinas & Waterfronts
Designed for wet environments including marinas, pontoons, riverside walkways and waterfront developments where decking grip is especially important.
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Hotels & Leisure
Create safer hotel terraces, restaurants, holiday accommodation and leisure facilities with factory-finished non-slip decking.
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Holiday Parks & Glamping
Perfect for holiday parks, glamping sites, campsites, lodges and riverside accommodation.
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Domestic Gardens
Beautiful, durable anti-slip and non-slip timber decking for family gardens, patios and outdoor living spaces.
View SectorImportant Timber Exclusions & Suitability Notes
Green or Fresh Sawn Oak
Green or fresh sawn oak can experience significant shrinkage, checking, twisting and movement as it dries. This movement may place excessive stress on factory-bonded anti-slip inserts and is not covered by the standard warranty.
Massaranduba
Massaranduba is extremely dense and can have a naturally smooth, polished surface. This can make reliable long-term resin bonding more difficult and must be discussed before specifying factory-applied inserts.
Unsuitable or Wet Timber
We cannot apply inserts to unsuitable, unstable, contaminated or wet timber. Suitability must be confirmed before production.
Insert Service vs Ready-Made GripDeck® Decking
| Option | Best For | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| GripDeck® Insert Service | Customers supplying their own suitable timber boards | Use your chosen timber with factory-applied anti-slip inserts. |
| Softwood GripDeck® | Cost-effective anti-slip decking projects | Ready-made treated European Redwood non-slip decking with factory-applied inserts. |
| Hardwood GripDeck® | Premium commercial and public access projects | High-quality hardwood non-slip decking with factory-applied inserts. |
| RetroGrip® Inserts | Existing grooved decking already installed on site | Retrofit anti-slip decking insert solution without replacing suitable existing boards. |
Related Products & Services
Softwood Anti-Slip Decking
Ready-made pressure treated European Redwood softwood non-slip decking manufactured with factory-applied GripDeck® anti-slip inserts.
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Hardwood Anti-Slip Decking
Premium hardwood decking manufactured in species including Yellow Balau, Oak, Iroko, Garapa and Cumaru with factory-bonded anti-slip inserts.
View Hardwood
RetroGrip® Inserts
Retrofit anti-slip decking inserts and decking strips for upgrading suitable existing grooved timber decking without replacing the boards.
View RetroGrip®Technical Support
Timber Species Guide
Compare softwood, hardwood and thermally modified timber species suitable for anti-slip decking, non-slip decking and factory-applied inserts.
View Timber GuideAnti-Slip Test Results
View wet and dry slip resistance data for GripDeck® anti-slip products, non-slip decking and factory-applied inserts.
View ResultsTechnical Downloads
Download specification sheets, certificates, installation guides and technical documents.
View DownloadsNeed a Quote for the GripDeck® Insert Service?
Send us your timber species, board size, profile, quantity, treatment status, required insert layout and delivery details and we will confirm suitability for factory-applied anti-slip inserts and provide a quotation.
Request a Quote Contact GripDeck®Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GripDeck® Insert Service?
It is a factory-applied service where suitable new timber boards are sent to GripDeck® and upgraded with resin and aggregate anti-slip inserts to create professional non-slip decking before installation.
Can I send my own timber to GripDeck®?
Yes, provided the timber is suitable, dry, stable, clean and prepared for the GripDeck® Insert Service. In most cases, boards should already have suitable insert grooves.
Can inserts be applied to treated timber?
Yes, but treated timber must be fully air dried before inserts can be applied. Timber that is wet with treatment fluid cannot be prepared and bonded correctly.
How many inserts should I choose?
For around 90% of applications, 2 factory-applied inserts are suitable. Where people mainly walk along the length of the boards, 3 inserts may be preferred for additional decking grip.
Can GripDeck® apply inserts to any timber species?
No. Many timbers are suitable, but some species may not be suitable due to movement, density, surface characteristics or moisture condition. GripDeck® will advise before production.
Is this the same as RetroGrip®?
No. The insert service is factory-applied to new timber boards before installation. RetroGrip® is a retrofit product designed for suitable existing grooved decking already installed on site.
Is the insert service suitable for non-slip decking manufacture?
Yes. The GripDeck® Insert Service is specifically designed to create factory-finished anti-slip, non-slip and slip-resistant timber decking from suitable new timber boards before installation.
Who uses the GripDeck® factory insert service?
The service is commonly used by timber merchants, decking manufacturers, joinery companies, contractors, architects and specifiers who require factory-applied anti-slip inserts in customer-supplied timber decking.