Aluminium Stair Nosing 87x40mm External Bullnose

This is the external-duty version of the 87x40mm bullnose stair nosing. Twin Tredsafe inserts run the width of the tread, and the manufacturer rates that insert for wet as well as dry conditions, which is what separates it from a standard internal PVC insert. It covers 87mm of tread and wraps 40mm down the riser, in four insert colours and six lengths. Entrance steps, fire escapes, service stairs and wash-down areas are where it earns its place.

Why it works

Tredsafe is the wet-conditions insert

The manufacturer states the Tredsafe insert is a blend of PVC, silica quartz and polymeric plasticiser, forming a homogeneous hard-wearing anti-slip flooring for wet and dry conditions, and that it meets BS 3261:1973 for sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles. On slip resistance it publishes category R11 under the DIN 51130:2010 inclined platform test at a ramp angle of 24.7 degrees, and pendulum values under BS 7976-2:2002 of PTV 57 dry and PTV 47 wet. The UK Slip Resistance Group treats a PTV of 36 or above as low slip potential, so the wet figure still sits clear of that threshold — and the wet figure is the one that matters on an outside step.

Built to be left outside

The manufacturer states the Tredsafe insert resists ultraviolet light, oil, grease, petrol, salt, dilute acids and alkalis and common household detergents, and carries a polyurethane coating to reduce dirt retention. Salt resistance is the relevant one for steps that get gritted in winter. Published wear figures are 0.6g weight loss on a Taber abrader (H18 wheel, 1kg load, 1000 revolutions), mean residual indentation of 0.05mm, dimensional stability of 0.12% and moisture movement of 0.02%. The carrier is extruded aluminium alloy 6063 to EN 755, composition to BS EN 573-3:2003. Organic solvents will soften the insert, so keep them off it.

A bullnose section that takes wheeled traffic

The nose is a full bullnose curve rather than a square arris, so it sheds impact from trolleys and barrows instead of taking it on a corner, and presents no sharp edge to a shin. The twin channels hold the inserts as a mechanical fit, so a worn insert is replaced on its own without lifting the profile off the step.

Where it's used

External entrance and access steps, fire escapes and external escape stairs, service yards and loading bay steps, plant-room access, school and campus approaches, and covered-but-exposed stairs such as car park cores and undercrofts. It works indoors too, but if the stair is fully internal and dry, the standard-insert version of this profile costs less and returns higher dry-grip figures.

Specifications

Choosing the right option

The Tredsafe range runs to four colours here, and the manufacturer publishes a light reflectance value for each. Compare the insert LRV against the tread surface either side of it to confirm the step edge reads as an edge — and on an external stair, think about how that surface looks wet, since wet concrete is darker than dry.

Tredsafe whites and greys read darker than the equivalent standard-insert colours — Tredsafe White is 49.9 against 79.9 for standard White — because the quartz aggregate takes the gloss off the surface. If your specification sets a minimum LRV difference, check it against these figures rather than the standard-insert table. On length, 2.46m, 2.77m and 3.22m are stock; 1.0m, 1.5m and 2.0m are cut from stock and are non-returnable unless faulty.

Installation, use & care

Steps must be dry, clean, level and free of debris before you start — on an external stair that means picking a dry spell, not just a dry morning. Where the profile is pre-drilled, use the holes to mark the drilling positions, then drill and plug. Apply a suitable adhesive to the underside, bed the nosing down and screw fix with the appropriate size screws. Fit the inserts over the screw heads, or use insert pip to cover them. Clean with a neutral detergent and rinse with clean water; the quartz-loaded surface holds dirt more than a smooth floor, so a bristle brush and warm soapy water beats a mop. Never use solvent cleaners on the aluminium.

Frequently asked questions

Does this one glow in the dark?

No. This profile has a plain aluminium nose with no photoluminescent strip. If you need a step edge that stays visible when the lighting fails, ask us for the Aluminator version of this same 87x40mm bullnose — it carries a glow strip along the nose and costs more accordingly.

How is this different from the standard-insert version?

Same aluminium section, different insert. Tredsafe is loaded with silica quartz and is rated by the manufacturer for wet and dry conditions; the standard PVC insert returns higher dry figures (PTV 66 against 57) but is listed for internal finishes. Choose Tredsafe if the stair gets rain, snow or wash-down.

Can it be cut to length on site?

Yes, with a fine-tooth non-ferrous blade in a mitre saw; trim the insert with a sharp knife and deburr the cut end. The 1.0m, 1.5m and 2.0m options are already cut from stock and are non-returnable unless faulty, so confirm your measurement first.

Is there a frost or weathering rating?

Not published for this line. The manufacturer publishes UV, salt and chemical resistance for the insert and the aluminium alloy specification for the carrier, but no freeze-thaw or weathering classification. We can request it if your specification needs one.

Ordering & delivery

All four Tredsafe colours are available in every length, and each length is priced individually. Stock lengths are 2.46m, 2.77m and 3.22m; 1.0m, 1.5m and 2.0m are cut to order. For a full stair core, or a length not listed here, contact us before ordering and we will confirm availability and lead time.

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