What is stair nosing?

Stair nosing (also known as landing tread) is the piece of material that sticks out from the tread of the stair. It is the portion of the stair most likely to be stepped on. There could be a variety of reasons that one would choose to alter their stair nosing, however, the following reasons are often the most common:

Safety

Being that stair nosing is the most likely part of the stairs to be stepped on, the primary purpose of stair nosing is to make stairs safer by reducing the chances of injury (falling, missing a step, etc.) through actions such as increasing the surface area or adding non-slip features. Due to these added features, you’re less likely to lose your footing or miss a step while going up or down the stairs.

Protection

Since stair nosing is the portion of the stair most likely to take contact, it makes sense that stair nosing is also most at risk for wear and tear. Taking the proper steps (pun intended) to protect stair nosing increases the lifespan of your stairs and reduces the need for maintenance by protecting the tread and riser of the stair from damage. 

Visibility

Stair nosing can play a huge part in making life easier for places with dimly lit stairs or people with poor eyesight. If you’re going for a midnight snack and want to avoid a mood killer like tripping on your steps heading back to your room, it might be beneficial to give your stairs an upgrade by adding a light to the stair nosing. That’s why you’ll often see LED lights on the stair nosing at night clubs or restaurants. 

 

Stair Nosing Materials

Choosing the right material can be tricky. Below are some of the most commonly used materials found in either residential or commercial stair nosing:

Rubber

The most commonly used tile stair nosing product is rubber, owing to its ease of handling and manipulation. For example, when creating a curve on the edge of the stair to match the stair’s design, rubber proves to be the best option compared to other materials that require more time for manipulation.

Wood

If you’re using wood stairs, you should have wood stair nosing. If you want the best look for your stairs, consider checking out some of our wood grain stair nosing!

Metal

Metal stair nosing is known to be functional because of the many different safety precautions they bring. They will also ensure that the staircases and stairways won’t get dented and damaged when stronger materials hit their edge. Common materials used in metal stair nosing include aluminum and stainless steel.

Vinyl

 

Vinyl stair nosing is attractive, affordable, and easy to clean. Its durability and slip-resistant properties make it an excellent choice for both residential and commercial settings. Additionally, vinyl stair nosing is available in a variety of colors and styles, allowing for seamless integration with any staircase design.

 

Stair nosing shapes

To give your stairs their sharpest look, it’s important to pick a stair nosing shape that matches the style of your stairs. To help you with your decision-making process, we’ve provided a list of common designs below:

Round stair nosing

Round stair nosing is a stair nosing that features a rounded edge connecting from the stair tread to the riser. Using a rounded nosing such as our Versatrim® round stair nose offer enhanced safety with the benefit of a smoother stair design.

Square edge stair nosing

Square edge stair nosing offers the same smooth transitional properties that round stair nosing offers with the additional advantage of high durability against dents and scratches.

No overhang stair nosing

No overhang stair nosing could be the perfect decision for your stairs if you’re looking for a nosing that offers a reduced chance of tripping or if you’re looking to incorporate carpet into your stairs. This variety of nosing also goes comfortably with a wide arrangement of staircase styles.

Stair nosing for different types of stairs

Different stairs require different types of material for their stair nosing, here are some common materials used to make different types of stair nosing:

Best stair nosing for tile stairs

Determining the best material to use for tile stair nosing is important. This is because there are several materials which can be used to put stair nosing. In considering the material to use, it is good to consider the quality of the work needed and experience has shown that it is usually very easy to do rubber stair nosing for a tiled step than other materials. This is because rubber is usually relatively cheaper than other materials, durable and easy to use. In this case, it is usually very easy to fold.

 Best stair nosing for wooden stairs

The best stair nosing for wooden stairs often can be wood nosing itself. Getting a wood nosing that matches the exact wood used for your stairs can be an incredibly important consideration in maximizing the uniformity and elegance of your stairs. If you’re looking for an added safety addition for wooden stairs, consider using aluminum stair nosing as well.

Best stair nosing for concrete stairs

Being that concrete stairs are among the most popular selection for commercial and industrial locations, it comes with great benefit to choose a stair nosing material that can handle wear and tear for extended periods of time. Metal such as steel and aluminum are often the preferred stair nosing materials for concrete stairs due to their durability.

 

FAQs About Stair Nosing

 

What is the difference between stair tread and stair nosing?

The tread of the stair is the section of the stair that the surface that a person steps upon. The nosing is the edge of the stair tread.

How to choose the correct stair nosing?

There are many ways to choose the correct stair nosing. The way we would recommend you choose your stair nosing is to consider material, style, and safety.

What is another name for stair nosing?

Stair nosing has several names it is referred to by. Stair nosing could be called either stair capping, bull nosing, ladder caps, or landing tread.