Heavy Duty GRP Stair Nosing 55x55mm & 70x30mm, 1m to 2.8m

Where a stair is outdoors, wet, or takes industrial traffic, a two-part aluminium nosing with a PVC insert is the wrong tool: the insert works loose, the channel fills with grit, and the fixings gradually rattle. A one-piece GRP nosing has none of those failure points. The whole angle is the wearing surface, with aluminium oxide grit moulded into the polyester rather than bonded onto it, so it cannot delaminate.

Why one-piece GRP

Nothing to work loose

There is no carrier, no channel and no separate insert. That removes the most common maintenance call on external stairs, and it is why GRP is specified for fire escapes, gantries, plant access stairs and coastal or exposed steps.

The grit is through the surface, not on it

A bonded grit tape wears through to a smooth backing within a couple of winters on a busy external flight. Moulded-in aluminium oxide keeps presenting fresh sharp particles as the polyester wears back with it.

It does not corrode

GRP is unaffected by salt, most cleaning chemicals and standing water, and it will not set up a bimetallic reaction against steel stringers or handrail fixings.

Two profiles

The 55mm x 55mm equal angle gives matching cover to the tread and the riser, and is the general-purpose choice for concrete and steel stairs. The 70mm x 30mm has a deeper tread face and a shallow 30mm nose, for goings where the grip band across the tread matters more than covering the riser, or where a deep nose would foul an existing detail.

Where it is used

External concrete and steel steps, fire escapes, factory and warehouse stairs, plant rooms, gantries and walkways, agricultural buildings, and public stairs where the maintenance budget favours a fit-and-forget nosing over one that needs its insert replaced.

Specifications

Choosing the right option

Profile. Take the 55x55mm where the riser is exposed and needs protecting; take the 70x30mm where the tread is the priority or a deep nose will not fit.

Colour. Yellow is the high-visibility option for industrial and escape routes. White gives strong tonal contrast on dark concrete or steel. Black is the discreet choice on pale stone and the one that shows dirt least on a heavily used external stair.

Length. Order the bar that covers your going in one piece. If your treads are an awkward width, or every flight differs, order from the cut-to-size version of this nosing and we will cut each piece to the millimetre between 250mm and 2800mm.

Installation, use and care

The substrate must be sound, clean and dry. On worn concrete, make good the arris first, or the nosing will bridge a hollow and crack under load. Pre-drill and countersink, fix at roughly 300mm centres starting about 50mm from each end, and on external stairs bed a bead of structural adhesive behind the angle as well as screwing. Cut with a fine abrasive blade outdoors, wearing eye and respiratory protection; GRP dust is an irritant. Clean with a stiff brush and water.

Frequently asked questions

Can it be bonded rather than screwed?

On a sound internal substrate, yes, with a structural adhesive. On external or heavily trafficked stairs we would always screw fix as well.

Will the grit wear smooth?

Not in the way a bonded grit tape does. The aluminium oxide is moulded through the surface, so it wears back with the polyester and keeps exposing fresh particles.

Which profile for a steel fire escape?

Usually 55mm x 55mm, so the equal angle covers the front edge of the tread plate and the top of the riser in one piece.

What if my treads are not a stock length?

Order the cut-to-size version linked above and specify each length between 250mm and 2800mm, tolerance plus or minus 5mm.

Ordering and delivery

Stock lengths are dispatched from inventory. Standard UK mainland delivery is a flat rate.