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A bullnose stair nosing with a 68mm tread plate and a 40mm rounded nose, supplied as ready-to-fit 1 metre bars in four carrier finishes with a choice of 33 anti-slip inserts. If your treads are close to a metre, or you want stock on the van before the job starts, this is the one to buy: the price you see is the price of the bar, and you trim it on site. Every combination is priced from the manufacturer's own trade list rather than through a stockist, which is why the same profile costs less here than it does elsewhere.
It is extruded from aluminium alloy 6063 T6 in a substantial 5mm wall thickness, and a single full-width channel carries a replaceable insert that gives you the slip resistance and the visual contrast at the step edge. The same profile is also available cut to your exact tread width, anywhere from 700mm to 3200mm, at the same per-metre rate.
A square-edged nosing presents a hard arris at exactly the height a shin or a shoulder meets it in a fall, and that arris is also the first thing to chip when a trolley or a ladder is dragged up the flight. The bullnose rolls that edge away into a smooth 40mm curve that hooks back under itself, so there is no sharp corner to catch on and nothing for a mop head to snag. The 5mm wall thickness is metal, not floor covering: it is a heavier extrusion than the slimline profiles, so it takes knocks without deforming, and it stands proud of the tread by that 5mm, which is why the manufacturer pairs it with a ramp detail where it meets a hard floor.
A single 49.5mm channel runs the full length of the tread plate and carries a replaceable anti-slip insert. The manufacturer publishes slip resistance values for each insert type, measured wet and dry with the pendulum test. Castellated PVC, the workhorse with fine longitudinal ribs and the widest colour range, is stated at 76 wet / 85 dry. Olympic Grip, a coarse aluminium-oxide grit band for the busiest flights, is stated at 71 wet / 102 dry. Smooth textured PVC, the flatter and quieter look, is 56 wet / 65 dry. The plain aluminium inserts, chosen for appearance rather than grip, are 54 wet / 82 dry. All four figures are the manufacturer's published values for this profile. A worn insert can be lifted out and renewed without disturbing the aluminium or the fixings.
Approved Document M and BS 8300 expect a step nosing to contrast visually with the tread and riser, and the usual way to demonstrate that is a difference in light reflectance value (LRV) between the two surfaces. The manufacturer publishes an LRV for every insert colour on this profile, from Black castellated at 4.25 to White castellated at 84.22, so you can put the figure for your chosen insert against the LRV of your floor covering before you order rather than judging it by eye on site. The full table is below.
The manufacturer rates this profile for medium to heavy foot traffic in interior situations, naming hotels, pubs, clubs, cafes, shops, schools, commercial offices and apartment buildings, and states that it is made for abutting to carpet and carpet tiles at the nose edge of the stair, or rebated to sit flush in a timber step. With the matching aluminium ramp detail it also finishes the edge of stone, timber, ceramic and hard-floored stairs. One caveat carried across from the supplier's own guidance: an anodised or polished finish can wear through to the natural aluminium under sustained heavy impact, so on a flight that takes trolleys or continuous footfall the mill finish is the sensible choice. It is an internal product. For external steps and wet areas the same extrusion is made in mill aluminium with a glass-fibre reinforced insert, which we can supply on request.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Profile | Bullnose stair nosing, single insert channel |
| Tread width | 68mm |
| Nose depth | 40mm |
| Wall thickness (gauge) | 5.0mm |
| Insert channel | 49.5mm, single, replaceable insert |
| Material | Extruded aluminium alloy 6063 T6 (manufacturer stated) |
| Carrier finishes | Mill aluminium, satin aluminium, polished aluminium, black anodised |
| Insert options | 22 castellated PVC colours, 4 smooth textured PVC colours, 6 aluminium inserts, Olympic Grip black (33 in total) |
| Slip resistance, manufacturer stated (SRV wet / dry) | Castellated PVC 76 / 85 · Olympic Grip 71 / 102 · Smooth textured PVC 56 / 65 · Aluminium insert 54 / 82 |
| Light reflectance, carrier | Satin aluminium LRV 65.40 (manufacturer stated); not published for the other three finishes |
| Maximum length | 3200mm in mill, satin and polished; 2700mm in black anodised |
| Fixing | Screw fixed with size 8 countersunk screws. Supplied undrilled; drilling for concealing plugs or for a retro-fit insert is available at a small surcharge |
| Compatible profiles | Aluminium ramp detail, extension tread and carpet nap-lock profile from the same range, available on request |
| Traffic rating | Medium to heavy, interior (manufacturer stated) |
| Suitable location | Interior stairs. External version with a GRP insert available separately |
| Classification | Uniclass 2015 Pr_35_90_31_74, rigid stair nosings |
| Recyclability | 100% recyclable at suitable disposal centres (manufacturer stated) |
All LRV figures are the manufacturer's published values for this profile.
| Insert | Colours (LRV) |
|---|---|
| Castellated PVC | Black 4.25 · Nimbus 4.77 · Regency 5.16 · Rustic 5.52 · Claret 5.83 · Peat 5.88 · Spruce 6.38 · Mid Blue 6.53 · Granite 7.02 · Jade 7.33 · Poppy 10.01 · Olive 10.27 · Fawn 11.27 · Flint 11.27 · Light Grey 12.33 · Gold 16.84 · Ivory 37.42 · Polar Grey 42.53 · Porth Stone 52.91 · Yellow 54.91 · Cloud 55.18 · White 84.22 |
| Smooth textured PVC | Black 4.47 · Light Grey 12.74 · Polar Grey 42.73 · Porth Stone 53.11 |
| Aluminium insert | Black Anodised 4.80 · Bronze 10.10 · Light Bronze 27.25 · Satin Aluminium 65.40 · Mill Aluminium 71.65 · Polished Aluminium 75.55 |
| Olympic Grip | Black 4.85 |
Two decisions, and they are independent of one another. The carrier finish is the metal you see around the insert. Mill aluminium is the plain untreated extrusion, the most economical and the one that hides wear best. Satin has the soft even sheen most specifiers reach for. Polished is bright and near-mirror, and shows fingermarks and scuffs sooner in a busy stairwell. Black anodised suits dark flooring and contemporary schemes, and is the one finish limited to 2700mm lengths.
The insert is the working surface. Castellated PVC for most flights: the best wet slip figure of the range and 22 colours. Olympic Grip where footfall is heaviest or people arrive from outside with wet shoes. Smooth textured PVC where a flat, quiet look matters more than grip. The aluminium inserts are a design choice for dry, lightly used stairs. For contrast, pick an insert whose LRV sits well away from your floor covering: a pale insert such as Ivory, Porth Stone or White on a dark carpet, or Black, Regency or Spruce on a light one. Yellow is the conventional choice where a strong safety marking is wanted.
Fix mechanically with size 8 countersunk screws into plugs, at roughly 300mm centres and no closer than 50mm to either end, onto a substrate that is sound, dry and level. Pilot the holes on timber. If you would rather not drill on site, ask for it drilled for concealing plugs, or drilled with a retro-fit insert so the insert goes in after the screws. A bed of grab adhesive under the tread plate alongside the screws removes the drumming a mechanically fixed profile can make on a hollow tread. Cut with a fine-tooth metal blade and de-burr the end before fitting. Clean with a neutral-pH detergent and a damp mop; solvent cleaners and abrasive pads will dull an anodised or polished finish.
It is the wall thickness of the aluminium extrusion, which is what makes this a robust profile. It is not a floor-covering depth. Where it meets a hard floor the manufacturer offers a matching ramp detail to take up the step.
Not this build. It is rated for interior stairs. The same extrusion is made in mill aluminium with a glass-fibre reinforced insert for external and wet locations, which we can quote on request.
Castellated PVC for most flights: the manufacturer's best wet slip figure in the range and the widest colour choice. Step up to Olympic Grip where footfall is heavier or where people arrive from outside with wet shoes.
Compare the published LRV of your chosen insert with the LRV of your floor covering. The manufacturer publishes a figure for every insert colour on this profile, listed in the table above, so the difference can be shown on paper before the flight is fitted.
Yes. The insert is a separate strip held in the channel, so a worn or damaged band can be renewed without disturbing the aluminium carrier or the fixings.
One per step, cut to the width of the going. A 900mm tread takes one 1 metre bar with a little to trim. For treads over a metre, or a flight of awkward widths, order the cut-to-size version and we will cut every length before it ships at the same per-metre price.
Choose the carrier finish and the insert colour and add one bar per step. Bars are dispatched from stock on a next-working-day service for most of mainland Britain; the polished and black anodised finishes and the aluminium inserts can add a few days. Need a length that is not a metre, or a drilled bar? Use the cut-to-size listing or ask us for a quote.
View our complete range of stair nosing profiles — aluminium, rubber and PVC options for every application.
| 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 6 reviews.
Had to sort out non-slip surfaces for the multi-storey car park stairs near my shop. Out of the box, these tread bars looked a bit more robust than Id expected—not a bad thing for a place that sees tyre scuff marks daily. Fixed them on, and theyve been serving well for that gradual browning corner even with all the rainy autumn traffic in and out.
Aluminium Bullnose Stair Nosing 68x40mm, 1m Bars, Anti-Slip Insert
Delivered just when I needed it, this aluminium stair nosing was a great fit for upgrading a high-traffic entrance at the hotel. It handles heavy footfall brilliantly, even when its wet, which keeps things safe and sound for guests strolling through. Nice grip with those anti-slip inserts, making it invaluable for busy public areas.
Aluminium Bullnose Stair Nosing 68x40mm, 1m Bars, Anti-Slip Insert
Installed it on my houses wooden porch steps just before last winter and Im genuinely impressed by how well its held up after a year. The weighty feel reassured me initially, but its durability was fully proven as it robustly withstood muddy boots and all sorts of British weather. Its satisfying to see that the anti-slip finish works just as expected, keeping us safe when those autumn leaves make things slippery.
Aluminium Bullnose Stair Nosing 68x40mm, 1m Bars, Anti-Slip Insert
Got this for our warehouse to update the spiral staircase, and I must say it gives a clean finish. The curve of the stair trim complements the industrial look perfectly, and the stair nosing really elevates its appearance in bright sunlight. Its sturdy enough with all the machinery nearby - no complaints so far.
Aluminium Bullnose Stair Nosing 68x40mm, 1m Bars, Anti-Slip Insert
Sturdy piece of hardware. I had to trim it a bit to fit our stairway exactly, but the aluminium clipped nicely without any hassle. Once on, the stair nosing felt secure and stable underfoot - just what you need for a busy building with decent foot traffic.
Aluminium Bullnose Stair Nosing 68x40mm, 1m Bars, Anti-Slip Insert
