Timber steps get dangerous in a British winter long before they look it. Algae, frost and a film of wet leaves can make a structurally sound decking step the place on site where someone is most likely to fall. This screw-down nosing plate puts grip where feet actually land. It is a 1.6mm aluminium plate bent into an L shape: 120mm deep across the tread, with a 45mm leg that wraps down over the front of the step, and a coarse grit anti-slip surface on top. It is made for pub and restaurant gardens, holiday parks, marinas, farm shops, schools and any business with outdoor steps that staff or the public use in all weathers. Each plate is 635mm long and is sold singly in nine colours.
Why a screw-down aluminium nosing plate works
Fixed with screws, not glue
Self-adhesive anti-slip tape needs a clean, dry, sound surface to bond to, and a weathered outdoor step rarely has one. These plates are screwed down through pre-drilled countersunk holes, so they stay put on damp or sodden timber, composite boards and flaking concrete, where tape tends to lift at the edges within a season.
The front leg protects and marks the edge
Wear and splitting start at the leading edge of a step. The 45mm leg covers that edge with metal, so boots, wheelie bins and sack trucks hit aluminium instead of the end grain of the board. The leg also gives each step a crisp, visible line, which helps people judge where the step ends at dusk or in rain.
Aluminium that does not rust
The aluminium body will not rust, so there are no orange streaks down the riser. The grit covers almost the whole tread, with a narrow bare margin round the fixing holes. The back corners are clipped at 45 degrees, so there are no sharp points to catch a shoe, a brush or a mower deck.
- Mechanical fixing for wet, uneven or contaminated surfaces
- L-shaped profile grips the tread and protects the step edge
- Rust-free 1.6mm aluminium with a coarse grit walking surface
- Nine colours, including black and yellow hazard stripe
Where it is used
Typical installations include beer garden and terrace steps, holiday lodge verandas, marina access steps, park boardwalks, fire exit steps behind shops and industrial units, garden centre entrances and garden decking at home. It also suits concrete steps that have started to spall, where a fresh coating would not bond.
Specifications
| Specification |
Detail |
| Profile |
L-shaped screw-down step nosing plate |
| Tread depth |
120mm |
| Front leg (riser drop) |
45mm |
| Length |
635mm |
| Body |
1.6mm weatherproof aluminium |
| Walking surface |
Coarse aluminium oxide grit anti-slip surface |
| Colours |
Black, Hazard (black/yellow stripe), Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Grey, Brown, White |
| Fixing |
Pre-drilled countersunk holes along the back edge and through the front leg; screws not included |
| Corners |
Back corners clipped at 45 degrees |
| Use |
Internal and external |
| Slip resistance rating (PTV / R value) |
Not published for this line |
| Country of manufacture |
United Kingdom |
| Sold as |
Single plate |
Choosing the right colour and quantity
Colour. Pick for visibility first and appearance second. On public or workplace steps, the step edge should stand out clearly from the tread. Yellow, white or hazard stripe on dark timber gives the strongest contrast, and hazard stripe is the usual choice for a change of level on a work site or loading area. Red works well on fire exit routes. Black, brown, green and grey blend in with timber or composite decking where grip matters more than contrast, for example on private garden steps. Blue is popular on holiday parks and pool surrounds.
Quantity. Order one plate per step. A single 635mm plate centred on the tread suits steps up to about 900mm wide. On wider steps, fit two plates end to end or set them in the walking line on each side of a handrail.
Installation, use and care
Scrub off moss and algae and let the surface dry. Sit the plate on the tread with the leg tight against the front face of the step, then mark and drill pilot holes. On timber and composite, use stainless steel countersunk wood screws (about 4mm x 30mm). On concrete, use masonry plugs with stainless screws. Fill every hole and tighten until the screws sit flush, without distorting the plate. If you need a shorter plate, cut it with a fine-tooth metal blade, deburr the cut end and drill a new fixing hole near it. To clean, sweep off grit and leaves and wash with water and mild detergent.
Close to sea water, aluminium can corrode through galvanic reaction with other metals. On marine and coastal sites, use stainless steel fixings and check the plates each season.
Frequently asked questions
Are screws supplied with the plates?
No. Fixings are not included, because the right screw depends on what you are fixing into. Use stainless steel countersunk wood screws for timber and composite decking, and plugs with stainless screws for concrete or stone steps.
Will these work on composite decking?
Yes. Drill pilot holes so the boards don't split, and fix into solid board rather than a hollow chamber where the board design allows. The screws hold the plate down mechanically, so it does not rely on adhesive bonding to the composite surface.
Can I fit them on concrete steps?
Yes. Use masonry plugs and stainless screws through every hole. Mechanical fixing is often the better choice on old concrete, where flaking or damp would stop anti-slip tape or paint from bonding properly.
Which colour is best for a public or workplace step?
Choose the colour that contrasts most strongly with your step surface. Yellow, white or hazard stripe on dark timber gives the most visible edge. Hazard stripe also marks the step as a change of level on work sites and loading areas.
Ordering and delivery
Plates are sold individually. Choose a colour, enter the number of steps (plus a spare) as the quantity, and add to basket. Delivery across the UK mainland is a flat rate shown at checkout.
View our complete range of stair nosing profiles: aluminium, rubber and PVC options for every application.