Rubber Nosing 40x40mm 900mm & 1500mm PVC Anti Slip Step Edge

Stair edges take more wear than any other part of a staircase, and a bare concrete or timber nose chips, rounds off and turns slippery long before the rest of the flight shows its age. This 40 x 40mm flexible PVC angle caps that edge. It wraps the corner of the step as a right angle — 40mm across the tread, 40mm down the riser — giving a defined, fluted edge that the foot can feel and the eye can pick out. It bonds straight onto the step, so there is no drilling, no plugs and nothing protruding. On internal stairs where the nose is worn but the structure is sound, it is one of the quickest repairs you can make.

Why it works

Flexible PVC, not a rigid extrusion. The body is a soft, flexible PVC compound rather than a rigid aluminium section, so it will follow a step that is slightly out of true — a dished tread, a nose that has lost a corner, a run that is a millimetre or two off square — instead of bridging the gap and rocking on it. That matters most on older concrete stairs, where a rigid profile usually needs packing.

Four moulded flutes across the tread face. The anti-slip surface is moulded into the profile itself, not glued in as a separate insert strip. There is no insert to work loose, lift at the ends or wear through to the carrier underneath, which is the most common failure on inserted nosings. The flutes run the full length of the piece.

A recess at the back of the tread leg. The tail steps down by about 3mm, so it will lap over a thin floor covering — a low-pile carpet, a vinyl or a sheet finish up to 3mm thick — and close the joint rather than leaving a raw edge standing proud of the nosing.

Colour right through. The colour is in the compound rather than a surface coating, so a scuff or a scrape does not expose a different colour underneath.

Where it's used

Internal staircases in houses, flats and maisonettes, particularly on refurbishment work. Offices, shops and showrooms. Schools, colleges and training centres, where the flutes give a clear visual and underfoot edge on every step. Healthcare and public buildings with steady pedestrian traffic. Internal access steps in warehouses and light industrial units. This is an internal profile — see the specification table below.

Specifications

Choosing the right option

Start with the length. 900mm suits a standard domestic flight — most UK staircases run 860 to 900mm between the strings — while 1500mm covers wider commercial and public stairs, or lets you take two narrow steps from one piece with a single cut. Measure the tread at its widest point and allow for the saw cut; the profile trims easily but cannot be stretched.

Then the colour. Dark Grey and Black read as a deliberate safety edge and hold their appearance on busy stairs. Grey is a light, near-white tone that suits pale concrete and painted risers. Beige and Brown are the choices where the nosing should sit quietly against a timber or biscuit-toned finish rather than announce itself. Where visual contrast against the tread matters — and on any stair used by the public it should — pick the colour furthest in tone from the step itself.

Installation, use and care

Cut to the tread width with a fine-toothed saw or a sharp trimming knife. The step must be clean, dry, sound and reasonably level: sweep out dust, remove loose material and old adhesive, and fill any hollow at the nose so the profile bears along its whole length. Apply a high-grab construction adhesive in a continuous bead under both legs, press the profile home from the nose backwards, and weight or tape it until the adhesive has grabbed. Follow the adhesive manufacturer's own open and cure times. Clean with warm water and a mild detergent; avoid solvents and abrasive pads, which will dull the surface.

Frequently asked questions

Can I cut it to fit a narrower step?

Yes. Measure the tread, mark the profile and cut it with a fine-toothed saw or a sharp trimming knife. Cut each piece individually rather than to an average — stair widths often vary by a few millimetres from step to step.

Is it screwed down or glued?

Glued. This profile has no pre-drilled fixing holes and is designed to be bonded to the step with a high-grab adhesive, which keeps the tread face clean and unbroken. The adhesive is not supplied.

Can it be used outside?

It is intended for internal stairs. Nothing in the manufacturer's published data covers weathering, UV exposure or frost, so for external steps choose a profile specifically rated for outdoor use.

Will it go over carpet?

It will lap over a thin covering — the back of the tread leg steps down by about 3mm to take one. A thicker carpet or an underlay needs a deeper profile; this one is not designed to sit on top of it.

What slip rating does it carry?

None is published for this line. The anti-slip performance comes from the moulded flutes rather than a tested surface, so if your project needs a documented R-rating or PTV figure, specify a profile that carries one.

Ordering and delivery

Both lengths are stocked in all five colours and are sold as single pieces, so you can order exactly the number of steps you need rather than buying in packs. Order the quantity for your flight, plus a spare for the cut you would rather not make twice. Delivery costs and lead times are shown at checkout.