Aluminium Bullnose Stair Nosing for Tile Floors, 10mm or 12mm

The step edge is where a tiled staircase succeeds or fails. Tile is hard-wearing across its face but vulnerable at the arris, and on a busy flight of stairs every footfall lands on exactly that line. This tile-in aluminium bullnose nosing is bedded in as you tile, finishing each step with a rounded metal edge that takes the impact the tile otherwise would. It suits tile floors laid at 10mm or 12mm depths, comes in 2.6m lengths, and is supplied in a matt silver finish that sits comfortably alongside most contemporary porcelain and ceramic ranges — the profile that keeps a hard-working staircase edge crisp for the life of the floor.

Why it works

The section is extruded aluminium, so the part of the step that takes the hardest use is metal rather than fired clay. The face is a full bullnose: a rounded profile that wraps the edge of the step, protects the tile edge from impact damage and gives a slight grip underfoot at the point where shoes pivot. Because the radius is continuous, there is no square corner to chip and no sharp line to catch a toe.

The fixing flange is the quiet strength of the design. It sits flat beneath the tread tile, bonded into the adhesive bed, so the nosing is locked in by the tile itself rather than relying on screws through the finished surface. The same flange acts as a locating stop for the riser tile below, squaring up the riser as you work. There is no channel or separate insert — the profile is one piece of metal, so there is no infill strip to work loose or trap dirt, and cleaning is a single wipe along the step.

The matt silver finish reads clearly against most tile colours, helping each step edge stand out from the field of the floor — a practical benefit on any staircase used by the public.

Where it's used

You will find this profile on tiled stairs in offices, shops, hotels, schools and healthcare buildings, and on communal staircases in apartment blocks — anywhere a tiled flight has to cope with constant traffic. It is equally at home on a tiled step between a kitchen and utility room, or a porch step in a domestic setting where the floor is tiled to 10mm or 12mm.

Specifications

Choosing the right option

Pick the size that matches your finished tile bed — the tile thickness plus its adhesive bed. The 10mm profile suits most standard porcelain floor tiles laid on a thin bed; the 12mm profile suits thicker tiles or a deeper bed. The simplest check is to dry-lay a tile on a comb of adhesive beside the profile: the top of the nosing should finish flush with the tile surface, never proud of it. If your build-up lands between the two sizes, take the smaller — a nosing fractionally low is safe and unobtrusive, one standing proud is a trip line. Allow one 2.6m length per step edge; a single length covers most internal flights with an offcut spare.

Installation, use & care

This is a tile-in profile, fitted while the floor is laid rather than added afterwards. Bed the flange into the adhesive at the front of the step, lay the tread tile over it so the tile edge meets the shoulder of the profile, and sit the riser tile against the underside of the flange, then grout as normal. Cut lengths with a fine-tooth blade or mitre saw and ease the cut end with a file. Once fitted, clean along the step with a mild detergent — avoid abrasive pads and strong chlorine-based cleaners, which can dull the finish.

Frequently asked questions

Should I order 10mm or 12mm?
Match the profile to your total tile build-up — tile plus adhesive bed. Standard porcelain on a thin bed usually takes the 10mm; thicker tiles or deeper beds take the 12mm. Check with a dry-laid tile before ordering if you are unsure.

Can I fit this to an existing tiled staircase?
No — the flange has to sit beneath the tread tile, so it is fitted while the steps are tiled. For finished staircases, a surface-fixed stair nosing from our screw-down or adhesive ranges is the right tool instead.

Does it have a slip-resistant insert?
No. This is a plain one-piece bullnose without a channel or infill; the rounded ribbed face gives a slight grip underfoot. If your risk assessment calls for a dedicated anti-slip insert, choose an insert-type nosing from our commercial range.

Is it suitable for external steps?
An external rating is not published for this line. It is specified for internal commercial and domestic tiled floors; for exposed outdoor steps, ask us and we will point you to a profile rated for the job.

Ordering & delivery

Sold per 2.6m length in matt silver, in 10mm and 12mm sizes. Order one length per step edge and add a spare length to cover cuts on wider flights. Lengths are despatched in protective packaging; if you are pricing a larger commercial job or need help with quantities, get in touch first.

View our complete range of stair nosing profiles — aluminium, rubber and PVC options for every application.