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Stair treads are rarely a round number, and an insert cut a few millimetres short leaves a gap that fills with grit and lifts at the end. This is the same 50mm carborundum insert as our 1m, 1.5m and 2m stock lengths, cut here to the exact millimetre you specify between 250mm and 2000mm, tolerance plus or minus 5mm, in any of twelve infill colours.
A 50mm-wide band of aluminium oxide grit bonded into a resin matrix, bedded into a routed groove or fixed to the tread surface. Carborundum is the hardest of the common anti-slip infills: it does not burnish out under footfall the way a soft PVC insert eventually does, which is why it is specified for entrances, plant rooms, external steps and any stair walked on in wet boots. The manufacturer states a pendulum test value of 92 dry and 86 wet, and guarantees the insert for 10 years against premature wear.
At 50mm this is a full-width grip band rather than a line. It is what gets specified on deep goings, on transport and stadium stairs, and where a risk assessment has asked for the largest practical contact area on each tread.
Cutting carborundum on site is slow and unpleasant: the grit destroys a fine-toothed blade and the dust is abrasive, and a 50mm section is heavy going with a hand tool. Cutting in a workshop keeps the ends square and the grit intact right to the end of the strip, so it beds cleanly instead of rocking on a burr.
| Insert width | 50 mm |
| Thickness | 8 mm |
| Anti-slip infill | Carborundum (aluminium oxide grit in resin) |
| Infill colours | Twelve, listed under Choosing your infill colour |
| Carrier | UV-stable rigid PVC, black |
| Slip resistance | PTV 92 dry, PTV 86 wet - manufacturer stated |
| Cut length range | 250 mm to 2000 mm, tolerance +/- 5 mm |
| Weight | 0.81 kg per metre |
| Fixing | Bedded in adhesive into a routed groove, or screw fixed |
| Application | Internal or external |
| Guarantee | 10 years against premature wear - manufacturer stated |
| Manufactured | United Kingdom |
All twelve infills cost the same and carry the same grit, so the choice is about visual contrast rather than performance. The manufacturer publishes an average light reflectance value for each colour, and guidance on stair visibility generally looks for roughly a 30-point LRV difference between the grip band and the tread around it, so these figures are the quickest way to sense-check a combination before you order. The carrier behind the grit is black on every colour.
| Obsidian | LRV 1.74 |
| Graphite | LRV 4.44 |
| Pebble | LRV 7.17 |
| Portland Stone | LRV 31.61 |
| Chalk | LRV 40.18 |
| Amber | LRV 31.68 |
| Hazelnut | LRV 9.13 |
| Chestnut | LRV 6.54 |
| Speckled Obsidian | LRV 1.44 |
| Speckled Graphite | LRV 4.35 |
| Speckled Pebble | LRV 9.52 |
| Italian Marble | LRV 32.74 |
The speckled and stone-effect infills read as a textured finish rather than a solid band, which sits better on stone and terrazzo refurbishment; Chalk and Amber are the usual picks where a genuinely light, high-visibility band is wanted against a dark tread. All LRV figures are the manufacturer's published averages and vary a little between batches, so ask us for a sample if the contrast is critical to a specification.
Measure each tread individually rather than assuming a flight is consistent, and take 3mm to 5mm off a wall-to-wall measurement so the strip drops in without scraping. Set the band back at least 15mm from the front arris so the nose edge stays intact, and check the tread thickness before routing a groove this wide. The manufacturer notes that section size varies slightly between batches, so take a sample before you cut or cast your channels. The substrate must be clean, dry and free of laitance; bed in an exterior-grade adhesive worked well into the groove and weight the strip until cured. Custom lengths are made to your figures, so they are non-returnable except for faults.
Choose your infill colour, then enter the length you need in millimetres. Cut lengths are made to order; allow additional working days over a stock length and we will confirm a dispatch date. Standard UK mainland delivery is a flat rate. If your treads sit close to 1m, 1.5m or 2m, the stock listing linked above will reach you sooner.
| Service | Timeframe | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard UK Delivery | 2 working days from dispatch | £9.99 |
Orders placed by 2pm (UK time) on a working day are dispatched the same day. Orders placed after 2pm or on non-working days are dispatched the next working day. Delivery takes 2 working days from dispatch. Working days are Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. UK delivery costs £9.99. Contact us for international enquiries.
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Overall rating: 5.0 / 5 from 7 reviews.
Works a treat for refreshing the edge of our stone museum steps without breaking the bank. Ordered it to fit some uneven tread, and having any choice in length cut made all the difference. Two months in with visitors coming through almost daily, it’s kept dust settles far away—they look grand and there’re no signs of wear yet.
Had to replace the worn strips on our gallerys wooden stairs to prevent further wear. Opted for this adjustable carborundum strip which fit seamlessly into our architecture. Good grip, well sized, and it does wonders in both a practical and aesthetic sense considering all the foot traffic we get daily.
Arrived promptly in a robust package. The insert fit perfectly on the outside stairs leading to our local librarys entrance. Despite the wet autumn leaves, theres no slipping at all; it really stays put underfoot.
Wasnt sure at first whether it would blend in seamlessly with our staircase, but turns out it fits just like a glove. Ordering a custom length was simple, and delivery came right when promised without any hassle! The insert looks sleek and has managed to tie everything together so beautifully—it’s surprising how much of a difference just one little tweak can make.
Put it in along the stairway leading to our warehouse mezzanine six months ago. The heaviness gives it a solid feel, and theres no sign of lifting or wear despite constant use in this busy area. Really happy with how well its holding up under all the industrial traffic.
Got this for the staircase in our local shopping centre to give it a clean, polished look, and it works brilliantly. The finish makes the steps really tidy and stylish without any of the typical gaps you see with other inserts. Its fantastic how the any desired length comes without compromise so now our stairs blend effortlessly with the rest of the decor. Would definitely choose these again if I need more for another location!
Brilliantly versatile. I used this carborundum strip for our outdoor steps, and getting it cut to the exact size worked wonders—eliminated any awkward overlaps or shortages. Its grip is reassuring even in wet conditions, affording peace of mind without blowing the budget.
