Aluminium Stair Nosing 69x40mm Bullnose Anti Slip PVC Insert

Specify a stair nosing for a commercial interior and you are asking one component to do three jobs at once: define the step edge clearly, give the tread a slip-resistant surface, and survive years of foot traffic without curling, lifting or chipping. This 69 x 40mm aluminium bullnose does all three. The 69mm tread plate carries a wide anti-slip PVC insert, the 40mm front wraps down over the step edge in a deep rounded bullnose, and the whole section is a 3mm gauge aluminium extrusion that is both bonded and screwed to the substrate. Eleven insert colours let you set the tonal contrast the staircase actually needs rather than accepting whatever happens to be in stock.

Why it works

The bullnose front takes the wear

Step edges fail at the arris first. A deep rounded front carries the load away from that corner and spreads it across the curve, so the covering behind it is not being kicked and scuffed at a sharp line. The 40mm return also closes the gap between tread and riser finish, which is where dirt collects and where sheet vinyl starts to lift.

A 3mm gauge, not a token one

This section is a 3mm gauge, intended for fixing with vinyl, linoleum and medium carpets or similar floor coverings. That thickness is what lets the nosing be walked on all day in a stair core without deflecting over the fixings. The extrusion is aluminium alloy 6063 in T5/T6 temper, extruded to DIN EN 755 with composition to BS EN 573-3:2003, and anodised to DIN 17611 where an anodised finish is specified.

The insert is the safety surface

The tread band is the standard insert: a REACH-compliant flexible PVC extrusion grade developed for non-scuff stair nosing use. That insert achieves an inclined platform result of 22.9 degrees to DIN 51130:2010, giving category R11, and pendulum values to BS 7976-2:2002 of PTV 66 dry and PTV 54 wet. The UK Slip Resistance Group treats a PTV of 36 or above as low slip potential, so both of those figures sit well clear of that threshold.

Contrast is a colour decision

Visual contrast between the nosing and the tread is what building control and access consultants actually look at, and contrast depends entirely on which insert colour you put against which floor finish. Every standard insert colour has a published light reflectance value, and those figures are in the table below so you can work the difference out against your own flooring rather than guess.

Where it is used

Office stair cores and reception steps, school and college stairwells, healthcare corridors and clinic stairs, hotel and student accommodation flights, leisure centres, retail back-of-house stairs and apartment block common stairs. It suits refurbishment as readily as new build, because the profile sits on top of a finished tread rather than needing a rebate cut into it. This is an internal profile; a separate section is available for external and wet environments.

Specifications

Choosing the right option

Start with contrast, not with taste. The light reflectance values for the standard insert are: White 79.9, Yellow 55.7, Canvas 53.2, Ice Grey 42.1, Beige 41.1, Dolphin Grey 27.6, Midnight Grey 12.8, Red 10.6, Cobalt Blue 9.2, Brown 9.1 and Black 4.5. The mill aluminium channel itself has an LRV of 78.9. Compare the insert LRV against the LRV of your tread covering and pick the colour that opens the biggest gap; a dark insert on a pale vinyl, or White and Yellow on a dark carpet, are the usual answers.

Then choose the length. The three longest options, 2.46m, 2.77m and 3.22m, are the stock lengths and are the economical choice per metre for a full flight. The 1.0m, 1.5m and 2.0m options are cut from stock for narrower stairs and small runs, with a tolerance of plus or minus 5mm. Order one nosing per tread, measured to the finished width of the step, and allow for a saw cut at each end if the stair is between sizes.

Installation, use and care

The fitting sequence is: make sure the steps are dry, clean, free of debris and level; mark and drill through the pre-drilled holes where the profile is supplied pre-drilled; plug the steps; apply a suitable adhesive to the underside of the nosing and set it down; screw down; then fit the insert or the insert pip to cover the screw heads. Clean inserts with a neutral detergent, rinse thoroughly with clean water and let them dry before they take foot traffic. The aluminium channel can be brought back with steel wool or a cloth. Solvent cleaners should never be used on the aluminium.

Frequently asked questions

Is this nosing DDA compliant?

This profile is designed with DDA guidance and BS 8300:2009+A1:2010 compliance in mind, and the range is produced with DDA and building regulations accounted for. What Approved Document M and BS 8300 actually ask for is visual contrast at the step edge, which is why the light reflectance values above are published here - use them to demonstrate the contrast your project needs.

Can it be used outside?

No. This is an internal profile with the standard PVC insert. There is a separate section for external and wet environments, which uses a different insert, and that is the one to specify for entrance steps, patios or anything exposed to weather.

How is it fixed down?

Adhesive plus mechanical fixings is the correct method: bond the underside, screw into plugged holes, then cover the screw heads with the insert or an insert pip. Tape fixing is also an option for the range. Fixing straight into a sound, level and dry substrate matters more than the adhesive you choose.

Which floor coverings does it suit?

It suits carpet, laminate, LVT and tile. The 3mm gauge is intended for vinyl, linoleum and medium carpets or similar coverings, so it is the gauge to use where the tread finish is thin rather than a deep-pile carpet.

Can I have a length that is not on the list?

Yes. The three stock lengths are 2.46m, 2.77m and 3.22m, and anything shorter is cut from those. If you need a size between the listed options, contact us with the finished width of your tread and we will quote the cut length; minimum cut is 900mm and the tolerance is plus or minus 5mm.

Ordering and delivery

Select your insert colour and length above; each unit is one nosing, so order one per tread. Cut lengths are made to order and are not returnable once cut. If you are working to a schedule and need quantities, lead times or a project price across several colours, send us the details and we will come back with a quotation.

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