Aluminium Stair Nosing 56x33mm Straight Edge Commercial

Specifying a stair nosing for a busy internal staircase comes down to two things: a leading edge that stays visible, and a tread surface that keeps its grip once the traffic starts. This 56 x 33 mm straight-edge aluminium nosing is built for that job — a commercial-grade extruded carrier with a slip-resistant PVC insert held in a channel running the full length of the profile. It suits refurbishment and new-build work alike, going down over concrete, timber or an existing floor finish, and it is supplied in 1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m and 2.77 m lengths so you can buy close to your step width instead of paying for offcuts. Inserts are available in black, ice grey or yellow.

Why it works

A square leading edge that holds the insert forward

This is the straight — square-backed — version of the profile: the front face drops vertically from the tread plate rather than raking back, so it sits flush against a conventional riser and presents a clean, defined edge. The insert channel is positioned to give what the manufacturer describes as heightened exposure to the leading edge, which puts more of the slip-resistant surface where the ball of the foot actually lands on the way down. The manufacturer states the range is designed to meet the guidance in Approved Document M and BS 8300-2:2018.

An extrusion that survives a public stairwell

The carrier is aluminium alloy 6063 in T6 temper, extruded to EN 755 and anodised to DIN 17611, at a 3 mm wall gauge. That is a structural section rather than a cosmetic trim: it takes trolley wheels, grit and heel strikes without deforming, and it shields the step arris underneath from chipping. Mill finish is the standard supply, with anodised and powder-coated finishes available to order. The manufacturer notes the insert resists most oils, alcohols, petrols and fats, and is not recommended for service above 60 °C.

• 56 mm tread plate with a 33 mm square front face
• 3 mm aluminium gauge, alloy 6063 T6
• Single slip-resistant PVC insert channel
• Supplied in 1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m and 2.77 m lengths, mill finish as standard
• Insert colours: black, ice grey, yellow

Where it's used

You will find this size of profile on office and apartment-block stairwells, school and college circulation stairs, healthcare corridors, retail and leisure flights, and shared-access stairs in residential blocks. The 56 mm tread suits standard step geometry where a deeper heavy-duty profile would overhang the nose, and the 33 mm riser leg covers the step edge without dominating it. The profile suits carpet, laminate, LVT and tile floor finishes.

Specifications

Choosing the right option

Start with the riser profile of your stairs. This is the straight version, with a vertical front face for a conventional square riser; if your steps have a sloping or undercut riser, the rake-back version of the same 56 x 33 mm section is the one to fit instead.

Then choose the insert colour. Black gives the strongest tonal separation against pale concrete, stone and light carpet. Yellow is the high-visibility option, used where a warning edge is wanted — plant rooms, service stairs and back-of-house routes. Ice grey is the discreet choice for schemes where the nosing should read as part of the detailing rather than as a safety marker. If you are working to a visual-contrast requirement, BS 8300-2:2018 asks for at least a 30-point difference in light reflectance value between the nosing and the surfaces around it: the manufacturer publishes the insert LRVs as black 4.5, ice grey 42.1 and yellow 55.7, with the mill carrier at 78.9. Measure the LRV of your own tread finish and pick the insert that clears 30 points against it.

Then pick the length. Measure the widest step and buy the next length up, leaving a few millimetres for the saw cut. A typical 900 mm domestic staircase takes the 1 m; most commercial flights run 1.2 m to 1.4 m and take the 1.5 m; the 2 m and 2.77 m suit wide public stairs, or let you cut two narrow steps from a single piece with less waste.

Installation, use and care

Installation follows the manufacturer's sequence. Make sure the steps are dry, clean, level and free of debris. Where the profile is supplied pre-drilled, use the holes to mark your drilling positions; drill and plug the step. Apply a suitable adhesive to the underside of the nosing and press it onto the step, then fix down with screws of the appropriate size. Finally fit the insert, or an insert pip, to cover the screw heads. Cut to length on site with a fine-tooth metal blade.

For maintenance, clean the insert with a neutral detergent and rinse thoroughly with clean water. The manufacturer advises that solvent cleaners should not be used on its aluminium products; the channel can be brought back with a cloth or steel wool if it dulls.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the straight and rake-back versions?

The straight version has a vertical front face and suits a conventional square riser. The rake-back version of the same 56 x 33 mm section has an angled back face for stairs with a sloping or undercut riser. Fitting the wrong one leaves a gap behind the nosing.

Can this nosing be used outdoors?

The manufacturer does not publish an external-use rating for this profile, and lists it for carpet, laminate, LVT and tile finishes. We cannot confirm it as an external product. If the steps are exposed, ask us and we will quote a profile the maker does rate for outdoor use.

Is it fixed with screws or adhesive?

Both. The manufacturer's method is to bed the nosing on a suitable adhesive and then screw it down, covering the screw heads with the insert or an insert pip. Choose the screws and plugs to suit your substrate — concrete, timber or screed.

What slip rating does the insert carry?

No pendulum, R value or PTV figure is published for this line by the manufacturer, so we do not quote one. The insert is described as slip-resistant, and the profile is designed to meet the guidance in Approved Document M and BS 8300-2:2018. If a tested figure is needed for specification, contact us and we will request it.

Can it be cut to length on site?

Yes. The aluminium section cuts cleanly with a fine-tooth metal blade or a mitre saw fitted with a non-ferrous blade. Lengths run from 1 m to 2.77 m, and dimensions may vary by up to ±5 mm in line with manufacturing tolerances.

Ordering and delivery

Each unit is one uncut length in the size and insert colour you select, supplied in mill finish. Order one length per step and allow for cutting waste on wide flights. Anodised and powder-coated carrier finishes can be supplied to order — contact us for lead times, noting that anodising is limited to a 2.4 m maximum length. Free samples of the insert colours are available on request.

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