This is the insert, not the nosing — the coloured PVC strip that sits in the channel along the front of a stair nosing and takes all the wear. When it scuffs, fades or lifts, you replace the strip rather than the profile and the flooring around it. Available in 38 mm and 50 mm widths and 2 mm and 3.4 mm thicknesses to suit standard commercial nosing channels, in 14 colours.
Sold per metre, in one continuous length
The price shown is for one metre. Order the number of metres you need and it is supplied uncut as a single continuous length, up to a maximum of 50 m, so a flight can be run without joins in the middle of a tread. Measure the full width of each step, add an allowance for trimming, and multiply by the number of steps.
Why it works
Refurbishing the insert, not the staircase
On a commercial flight the aluminium carrier usually outlasts the insert several times over. Swapping the strip restores the step edge and the colour contrast for a fraction of the cost of lifting and refitting nosings, and it can be done out of hours without disturbing the floor covering on either side.
Getting the size right matters more than the colour
The insert has to match the channel it goes into. Measure the width of the existing channel (38 mm and 50 mm are the two standard sizes) and its depth, which decides whether you need the 2 mm or the 3.4 mm strip. A strip that is too thin sits proud of nothing and works loose; one that is too thick will not seat.
Colour for contrast
A step edge is easier to read when the insert contrasts with the tread rather than matching it. Black, Midnight Grey and Brown against pale flooring, Cloud, Haze and White against dark flooring, and Yellow or Red where the stair is a recognised hazard or a marked route.
Specifications
| Product |
Replacement PVC insert for an existing stair nosing channel |
| Unit of sale |
Per metre — supplied uncut as one continuous length, maximum 50 m |
| Widths |
38 mm, 50 mm |
| Thicknesses |
2 mm, 3.4 mm |
| Material |
PVC with a slip-resistant ribbed surface |
| Colours |
Black · Cloud · Haze · Sand · Brown · Canvas · Cobalt Blue · Dolphin Grey · Ice Grey · Midnight Grey · Red · White · Yellow · Beige |
| Fixing |
Seats into the nosing channel, held with double-sided tape or adhesive (sold separately) |
| Application |
Interior commercial stairs |
| Not suitable for |
Bonding directly to a bare step — it needs an existing nosing channel to sit in |
Where it is used
- Office blocks, business centres and shared workspaces
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Hospitals, clinics and healthcare buildings
- Retail stores, shopping centres and leisure complexes
- Transport hubs, public buildings and internal car park stairwells
Fitting and care
Lift the old insert and clean the channel out completely — old adhesive, grit and dust all stop the new strip seating. Cut each length a little long and trim to a tight fit at the ends. Run double-sided tape or a bead of adhesive along the channel, press the insert home along its whole length, and work from one end so no air is trapped under it. Clean with a neutral-pH cleaner; avoid solvents and abrasive pads, which dull the ribbed surface.
Frequently asked questions
Is the price for one metre or for the whole roll?
One metre. The quantity you enter is the number of metres, and the order is supplied as one continuous uncut length up to 50 m. If you need more than 50 m it comes as more than one length — tell us where you would prefer the joins.
How do I know whether I need 38 mm or 50 mm, and 2 mm or 3.4 mm?
Measure the existing insert or the empty channel: the width across the channel gives you 38 mm or 50 mm, and its depth gives you the thickness. If you still have a piece of the old insert, measure that. Guessing the thickness is the usual cause of a strip that will not stay in.
Will it fit my stair nosing?
It fits standard commercial nosing channels in those two widths, which covers most aluminium carriers. It is not a universal part — if your nosing is an unusual profile, send us a photograph and a measurement across the channel before ordering.
Can I stick it straight onto the step?
No. This is an infill strip for a nosing channel, not a stair nosing in its own right. For a bare step edge you need a complete nosing profile.
Can I use it outside?
It is specified for interior use. External steps need a profile and insert rated for outdoor exposure.
Do I need the tape or adhesive as well?
Usually, yes. The insert seats into the channel but double-sided tape or adhesive is what keeps it there under traffic. It is sold separately — ask us for the right width to match your insert.
Ordering and delivery
All 56 width, thickness and colour combinations are available to order. Standard UK delivery is £9.99, 2–4 working days; orders before 12 pm Monday to Friday are usually despatched same day. For a full-flight take-off, fixing tape or a colour sample, call 01282 270 010 or email sales@stairnosingsuk.co.uk.