A 56 x 32mm rake back aluminium stair nosing with a textured High Grip insert, for internal stairs whose risers slope back under the nose. That is common on concrete, steel-framed and pre-cast commercial stairs. The front leg follows the slope instead of standing off it, and the 3.5mm gauge suits vinyl, lino and lightweight carpet.
Choose Obsidian or Solar insert in any of nine aluminium finishes, in 2.44m, 2.75m or 3.22m stock lengths for cutting on site.
Why this nosing works
Made for raked risers
On a raked riser the face of the step leans back from the nose. A square nosing touches only at the corner and leaves a wedge-shaped gap behind its front leg. The rake back profile angles its 32mm leg to match, so it beds down along its full depth and stays put under heavy footfall.
Grip figures you can check
Grip on a stair edge is measured with a pendulum test. This textured PVC insert scored 95 dry and 60 wet at an independent laboratory, well above the 36 that UK Slip Resistance Group guidance treats as low slip potential. One full-width strip sits on the step edge, exactly where feet land as people come down the stair.
Contrast you can put a number on
Obsidian has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 1.80 and Solar 55.10, near opposite ends of the scale. Choose the one at least 30 LRV points away from your floorcovering and the edge reads clearly from the top of the flight.
Check your riser first
Hold a square against the step. If the riser leans back from the nose, this is the profile. If it is vertical, the 56 x 32mm square edge version will sit better. For deep treads, there is a twin-insert 85mm rake back.
Nine finishes
Mill Finish is plain aluminium for service and back-of-house stairs. Bright Polished and Satin Silver give a bright or soft silver line. Satin Gold, Satin Bronze, Dark Bronze and Satin Black suit timber-effect, stone-effect and dark floors. Mirrorflect Silver and Mirrorflect Gold are mirror-bright for reception and front-of-house stairs.
- Rake back aluminium profile, 56mm tread x 32mm riser, 3.5mm gauge
- Textured High Grip insert: pendulum 95 dry, 60 wet
- Obsidian (LRV 1.80) or Solar (LRV 55.10)
- 9 finishes, 3 stock lengths, for vinyl, lino and lightweight carpet
Where it's used
Concrete and steel stairs in offices, schools, hospitals, car park cores and shopping centres, where the risers rake back and the treads are finished in vinyl, safety flooring, lino or light contract carpet. For outside steps, use the exterior-insert rake back profile.
Specifications
| Profile |
Rake back, single insert channel |
| Range |
Standard range |
| Tread (top face) |
56mm |
| Riser (front leg) |
32mm |
| Gauge |
3.5mm |
| Carrier material |
Aluminium alloy, UK manufactured |
| Insert |
One High Grip textured anti-slip insert: textured PVC face on a PET base, self-adhesive, approx. 2mm thick |
| Slip resistance (insert) |
Pendulum 95 dry / 60 wet (manufacturer data, independent laboratory) |
| Insert colours (LRV) |
Obsidian 1.80, Solar 55.10 |
| Finishes |
Mill Finish, Bright Polished, Satin Silver, Satin Gold, Satin Bronze, Dark Bronze, Satin Black, Mirrorflect Silver and Mirrorflect Gold |
| Stock lengths |
2.44m (2440mm), 2.75m (2750mm), 3.22m (3220mm) |
| Suitable floorcoverings |
Vinyl, lino and lightweight carpet |
| Use |
Internal stairs; insert service range -10°C to 80°C |
| Fixing |
Screw-fix through the channel, then fit the insert to hide the fixings; or bond with stair nosing adhesive |
Choosing the right option
Insert colour. Pick for contrast. Solar on mid-grey, blue, green and dark floors; Obsidian on pale floors such as light grey, beige or white. Both colours are the same price.
Finish. Mill Finish is the lowest price, then Bright Polished, then Satin Gold. Dark Bronze, Satin Black, Satin Silver and Satin Bronze share the middle price. Mirrorflect Silver comes next. Mirrorflect Gold costs the most. Satin finishes hide scuffs best on busy stairs.
Length. Measure every step, then choose the stock length that cuts into those widths with the least waste. Order a spare where widths vary.
Dry, decorative stair? The same profile is available with standard PVC inserts.
Installation, use & care
Cut each length to the step width with a fine-toothed blade for aluminium and de-burr the ends. The step must be clean, dry and sound. Screw-fix through the channel with fixings to suit the substrate, or bed the profile on a stair nosing adhesive. Clean and dry the channel, peel the backing from the self-adhesive insert and press it firmly into place over the fixings. Lay the floorcovering tight to the back of the profile. Sweep and damp-mop the insert regularly, because trodden-in dirt fills the texture and reduces grip. Avoid abrasive pads on polished and coloured finishes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the slip test results for this insert?
The pendulum test results for this insert are 95 dry and 60 wet, measured at an independent friction-testing laboratory. Under UK Slip Resistance Group guidance, a pendulum value of 36 or more indicates low slip potential, so the insert stays well above that line when wet. The figures apply to a clean insert, so keep the textured face free of dirt and polish build-up.
How do I know if my stairs have raked risers?
Put a square or a spirit level against the riser below the nose. If the face of the riser slopes back towards the step behind, the stair is raked and this profile will sit flush. If it is vertical, choose a square edge profile.
Can I use this nosing outside?
No. The High Grip insert is rated for internal use, with a service temperature range of -10°C to 80°C. For external steps, choose a profile with an exterior-grade insert, which is listed separately.
Can I fit this to a vertical riser?
It will fix, but the angled front leg will stand slightly off a vertical face. A square edge profile is the right choice for vertical risers.
Obsidian or Solar: which insert colour should I choose?
Choose by contrast with the floor, not by matching it. Obsidian has an LRV of 1.80 and Solar 55.10. Aim for a difference of more than 30 LRV points between the insert and the surrounding floor: Solar for mid and dark floors, Obsidian for pale ones. Your floorcovering manufacturer publishes its LRV on the product data sheet.
Ordering & delivery
Each variant is one length of nosing in your chosen finish, insert colour and stock length, with the insert supplied. Screws and adhesive are not included. We deliver to UK mainland addresses; carriage and lead time are shown at checkout. Need a quantity price for a whole building? Contact us with your step count and widths.
See our full range of anti-slip stair nosings: aluminium, rubber and PVC profiles for every type of stair.