Raked Double Channel Stair Nosing 90x32mm Aluminium

A raked back double channel aluminium stair nosing — 90mm across the tread, 32mm down the nose, 5mm gauge, with two 37.25mm insert channels side by side. Supplied in 1 metre and 2 metre bars.

This is the profile to specify when a stair edge has to stay legible under real commercial traffic. Refurbishing a hotel, a school or an office flight where the existing nosings have worn smooth or gone loose? This is the heavier, wider answer.

Why fitters choose this profile

Two channels, not one. A single narrow insert marks an edge. Two 37.25mm strips across a 90mm tread cover most of the walking surface at the nose — which is exactly where the foot lands on the way down, and where a worn stair actually becomes dangerous. It also gives you a second colour band to work with when you are trying to hit a visual contrast target.

The gauge does the structural work. At 5mm the tread plate does not drum or dish underfoot the way a thin pressed nosing does, and the fixing points stay tight because there is enough metal around them to hold a size 8 screw. Alloy 6063 T6 is the standard architectural temper: hard enough to shrug off trolley wheels and point loads, soft enough to cut cleanly on site.

The raked back edge is what makes it fit. Instead of a blunt square heel, the back of the tread plate is angled and interlocking, so it beds down against the going without leaving a lip for a mop or a heel to catch. That same interlock lets it join the rest of the range — ramp extension, tread extender and a nap detail for broadloom carpet — so a whole flight can be detailed from one family.

Where it is used

Medium to heavy foot traffic, interior: hotels, cafes, pubs and clubs, shops, schools, commercial offices and apartment buildings. It suits stairs that are cleaned often and used constantly. For external or persistently wet locations there is a GRP-insert build of the same profile, which we do not stock but can quote.

Specifications

The manufacturer publishes surface rating values for the insert materials across its aluminium nosing range: castellated PVC 76 wet / 85 dry, Olympic Grip 71 wet / 102 dry, smooth textured PVC 56 wet / 65 dry. Those are figures for the insert material, not a test carried out on this profile, and no pendulum or LRV data is published for this profile specifically. If your specification needs measured figures for this exact nosing, ask us before ordering and we will go back to the manufacturer.

Choosing the right option

Start with the insert, because that is what people walk on. Castellated PVC is the general-purpose choice and covers most of the colour range. Smooth textured PVC is easier to mop and suits environments where the cleaning regime matters more than maximum grip. Olympic Grip is an aluminium-oxide surface and the most aggressive of the three — specify it where the stair gets wet feet, and expect to pay more. The aluminium inserts are a design choice rather than a grip choice; they give a monolithic metal look.

Then pick the carrier finish. Mill aluminium is the plain untreated extrusion and the least expensive. Satin is a soft even anodised sheen. Polished is bright and reflective, and shows scuffing soonest on a busy stair. For visual contrast under Approved Document M, put a light insert against a dark floor or a dark insert against a light one, and check the actual materials on site rather than trusting a screen.

Installation, use and care

Fix mechanically. Drill and countersink the tread plate, plug the substrate and fix with size 8 screws — screws and plugs are not supplied because the right ones depend on whether you are going into timber, concrete or screed. The profile can be rebated so it sits flush into wooden steps. Cut with a chop saw and a non-ferrous blade, deburr the cut end, and support the bar along its length while cutting. Clean with warm water and a neutral detergent; keep abrasive pads off the polished finish and solvent cleaners off the PVC inserts.

Frequently asked questions

Is this nosing suitable for outdoor stairs?

No. This profile is specified for interior situations. For external or wet areas there is a separate build with a glass-fibre reinforced (GRP) insert. We do not stock that variant, so ask us and we will quote it.

What does the 5mm refer to?

The gauge — the thickness of the aluminium itself. It is not a floorcovering thickness. The 90mm figure is the tread plate width and 32mm is the depth of the nose down the riser face.

Do both channels take the same colour?

Yes. Each bar is supplied with a matched pair of 37.25mm insert strips in the colour you select, so the two bands read as one wide edge.

Can I get a length other than 1m or 2m?

Yes — order from our cut-to-size listing instead and enter the exact millimetre you need between 700mm and 2500mm. This listing exists for the two standard bar lengths, so the price you see is the price of the bar.

Will it work with carpet?

It is compatible with a nap detail for broadloom carpet, and the profile can be rebated into timber steps. For a carpet installation, tell us the pile thickness and we will confirm the right combination.

Ordering and delivery

Choose your finish, insert colour and bar length above — the price shown is the price of the bar. If you need an exact size, use our cut-to-size double channel stair nosing, priced per centimetre from 700mm to 2500mm. Free samples are available so you can check the insert colour against your floor finish before committing. UK mainland delivery is a flat rate shown at checkout.

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