Description
Tile-in stair nosings sit flush within a tiled step. A thin leg beds into the tile adhesive and the tile is laid up to the profile, so the anti-slip insert finishes level with the tile surface rather than sitting on top of it. The result is neat and low-profile, which suits ceramic, porcelain and natural stone staircases where a surface-mounted nosing would look bulky or interrupt the tile pattern.
Specify by tile thickness
This is the decision that determines whether the job looks right, and it is where most orders go wrong.
Measure the tile plus the adhesive bed, not the tile alone. The profile leg has to sit in the same plane as the tile it meets, so a 10mm tile on a 3mm bed is a different specification from a 10mm tile on a 6mm bed. Common profiles cover 10mm and 12mm tiles; thicker stone usually needs a bespoke section.
Too shallow and the tile stands proud of the nosing, creating the lip you were trying to avoid. Too deep and the profile sits above the tile, which looks wrong and collects dirt along the joint.
The range
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Straight edge profiles — a square finish to the step, the standard choice for contemporary tiling.
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Bullnose profiles — a rounded leading edge, softer underfoot and more forgiving of chipping at the tile arris.
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Replaceable inserts — rubber for interior comfort, silicon carbide where grip matters most. The insert is the wear part and lifts out for renewal without disturbing the tiling.
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Illuminated tile-in — a recessed LED strip for step definition on unlit or low-light stairs. See the illuminated range.
Installation
Tile-in nosings are fitted by the tiler as part of the tiling, not retrofitted afterwards. The profile is bedded in adhesive and set before grouting, so there is no separate mechanical fixing and no drilling into the finished step.
Two things worth getting right. Set the profile before the tiles, working the tile up to it, rather than tiling first and trying to introduce the nosing at the edge. And leave a movement joint where the profile meets the tile rather than grouting hard against it — tile and metal expand at different rates and a rigid joint is where cracking starts.
Because they are bedded in, tile-in profiles cannot be retrofitted to an existing tiled stair without lifting the edge tiles. For a finished tiled staircase that needs upgrading, a surface-mounted anti-slip profile is the practical answer.
Slip resistance and compliance
Tiled stairs are a common slip risk, particularly at entrances where water is walked in, so the insert specification matters more here than on a carpeted stair.
In the UK, slip resistance is measured by the pendulum test to BS 7976, now BS EN 16165. The HSE benchmark is PTV 36 or above in the wet, and 65 or above where contamination is likely. R ratings from DIN 51130 do not convert to PTV, so ask for both figures.
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Approved Document M is the source of the 55mm × 55mm contrasting band across tread and riser for buildings other than dwellings. A slim tile-in profile may not achieve that band on its own — check before specifying it on a non-domestic stair.
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BS 8300-2:2018, referenced by Part M rather than being law itself, recommends at least 30 points of Light Reflectance Value difference between nosing and tread. Check with our LRV contrast calculator.
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Approved Document K covers stair geometry — going, rise and nosing projection, 25mm being the figure to work to.
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Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 12 is the legal duty that floors are not slippery so as to expose anyone to risk.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right size?
Measure the tile thickness plus the adhesive bed and match the profile leg to that total. Standard profiles cover 10mm and 12mm tiles; thicker natural stone usually needs a bespoke section.
Can tile-in nosings be retrofitted?
Not without lifting the edge tiles, because the profile is bedded into the adhesive. For an existing tiled stair, choose a surface-mounted or retro-fit profile instead.
Who fits them, the tiler or a joiner?
The tiler, as part of the tiling. The profile is set in adhesive before grouting, so it needs to be on site and specified before tiling starts.
Are they suitable for outdoor steps?
Yes, with the right insert and a frost-resistant tile, but pay attention to drainage and specify a higher PTV. Standing water on a tiled step is one of the more dangerous surfaces in a building.
Can the insert be replaced?
Yes. The insert lifts out of the channel and a replacement clips in, without disturbing the tiling or the bedded profile — which is the main advantage over a bonded anti-slip strip.
Will a tile-in profile meet Part M?
Not necessarily. Many tile-in profiles are slim by design, and Part M looks for a 55mm contrasting band on tread and riser. On a non-domestic stair, check the profile dimensions against that requirement before specifying.
UK stock and manufacture. Send us the tile thickness, the adhesive bed depth and the setting, and we will match a profile and insert to it — or call 01282 270 010.
