A stainless steel tile-in stair nosing with a 30 mm slip-resistant tread. The perforated anchoring leg beds into the tile adhesive under the stair tile, so the finished step carries no surface fixings and no screw heads, and the front edge of the profile covers the edge of the riser tile. It suits stairs finished in tile or natural stone, and can also be set into screed or into a surface coating of 2 mm or more.
Choosing grade, depth and length
Grade
Standard grade is 1.4301 stainless (AISI 304) and is the right choice for the great majority of stairs — offices, schools, retail, housing and ordinary external steps. Marine grade is 1.4404 (AISI 316L), which adds molybdenum and buys resistance to chlorides; the manufacturer recommends it wherever exposure is consistent, fresh-water swimming pools being the standard example. Note that even 316L is not resistant to everything — hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid, and certain chloride and brine concentrations, will attack it, and that can include seawater pools, so unusual exposure should be checked in advance. The two alloys are visually identical once fitted, so the choice is about exposure, not appearance.
Depth
The depth is chosen to match your tile thickness, so the tread finishes flush with the finished floor. Measure the tile or stone itself. Where a thickness falls between two sizes, go up.
Length
Run each step in a single piece wherever the going allows; a butt joint in the middle of a tread is both a wear point and a visible one.
What is made in which combination
Not every depth is produced in every grade and length. Before ordering, check your combination against this:
| Grade |
Depths |
Lengths |
| Standard 304 |
2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 22 and 25 mm |
1 m, 1.5 m and 2.5 m in every depth. 3 m is made in 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16 and 22 mm only — not in 2, 3, 5 or 25 mm. |
| Marine 316L |
8, 11, 13 and 16 mm only |
1 m, 1.5 m and 2.5 m. No 3 m. |
If the depth you need is not made in marine grade, call us before substituting — in a chloride environment the alloy matters more than an exact depth match, and there are other ways to make up the build-up.
Specifications
| Material |
Stainless steel — 1.4301 (AISI 304) standard, or 1.4404 (AISI 316L) marine grade |
| Tread width |
30 mm, slip-resistant surface |
| Slip resistance |
R10 V6 — to the manufacturer's test certificate from the Institute for Occupational Safety (IFA) |
| Depths |
2 mm to 25 mm — select to match tile thickness; see the availability table above |
| Lengths |
1 m, 1.5 m, 2.5 m, 3 m — see the availability table above |
| Fixing method |
Tile-in — trapezoid-perforated anchoring leg fully embedded in the adhesive bed |
| Application |
Stairs finished in tile or natural stone; also screed, or surface coatings of 2 mm and above |
| Accessories |
Matching end caps available |
| Cleaning |
Mild household cleaner, free of hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid |
Installing it
Set the profile out before tiling. Align the covering material at the riser, apply tile adhesive to the edge area above the riser, and fill the hollow spaces on the underside of the profile with adhesive. Bed the profile fully and align it so its front edge covers the riser tile or finishes flush with it. Cover the perforated anchoring leg and the tread area completely with adhesive, then bed the tread tiles and bring them flush with the top edge of the profile, leaving a joint of about 2 mm to grout. Where thicker adhesive layers are needed at the edge, sand the dry-set adhesive per the manufacturer's instructions or use a medium-bed mortar.
Set into screed, the anchoring leg needs covering with at least 15 mm of screed mortar. Under a surface coating, the profile is adhered to the edge of the tread and the leg is covered completely so the finish comes flush; clean and degrease the profile first.
Care
No special maintenance is needed. Clean stainless periodically with a mild household cleaner — regular cleaning keeps the finish and reduces the risk of corrosion. All cleaning agents must be free of hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid. Avoid contact with ordinary steel, including tools such as trowels and steel wool when removing adhesive or grout residue, as this causes corrosion.
Where it is used
Commercial areas and public buildings with heavy foot traffic, plus schools, healthcare, retail and residential stairs — anywhere a tiled or stone stair needs its edge protected and made visible. Specify the marine grade for pool surrounds, coastal work and anywhere the nosing meets cleaning chemicals regularly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 304 and 316L in practice?
316L contains molybdenum, which resists chloride attack; 304 does not. Indoors and inland, 304 will serve indefinitely. Around pools, on the coast, or on steps treated with de-icing salt, 304 can develop surface pitting and staining where 316L will not. They look the same once fitted.
How do I work out which depth I need?
Measure the tile or stone thickness at the step edge. That is the depth to order, so the tread finishes flush with the floor. If it falls between two sizes, take the larger.
Why can I not choose every depth in marine grade?
316L is only produced in 8 mm, 11 mm, 13 mm and 16 mm. That is the manufacturing range rather than a stock position, so a different depth in 316L is not something we can order in. Call us and we will work through the alternatives.
Can I fit this to a staircase that is already tiled?
No — the anchoring leg sits in the adhesive bed, so it goes in with the tiling. For a finished flight you need a retro-fit nosing that bonds to the face of the existing step.
Is R10 enough for a pool surround or a wet area?
R10 V6 is a step up from R9 and is the usual specification for entrances and internal areas that get wet occasionally. For continuously wet barefoot areas, ask us — UK slip assessment under HSE and UKSRG guidance uses pendulum test values rather than R ratings, and we can advise on what the project needs.
Ordering and delivery
Standard UK delivery is £9.99, 2–4 working days; orders before 12 pm Monday to Friday are usually despatched same day. For end caps, or if you are unsure which depth matches your tile, call 01282 270 010 or email sales@stairnosingsuk.co.uk.