Anti Slip Stair Nosing – The Essential Benefits

Anti-slip stair nosing is a type of stair nosing that is designed to reduce the risk of slips and falls on stairs. It can be used in both commercial and residential spaces but is more commonly seen in the latter due to there being higher levels of foot traffic in workplaces and public areas.

What is Anti Slip Stair Nosing?

As the name suggests, anti-slip stair nosing is designed to reduce the risks of slipping and falling down the stairs. They can be designed in a number of different ways, to reduce the risk of slipping, either through grit-based nosings, groove-based nosings or a variation of the two. 

Do Workplaces Require Anti-Slip Nosing for Staircases?

While it is not a legal requirement to install stair nosings on your commercial stairs, it’s strongly advised that you do. If a stair-related accident does occur and you don’t have stair nosings installed, you may be held liable if the victim claims adequate safety features were not present. Anti-slip stair nosings are an affordable and important addition to any staircase and alleviate the risk and worry of slips and falls.

What Anti-Slip Materials Are There?

• Aluminium

Aluminium stair nosings are among the most common and affordable options. They are typically used to line stairs in commercial properties, such as offices and public workspaces. However, they are also used to line the stairs in large residential complexes, such as high-rise flats to make journeys up and down the stairs safer.

• Black

Black anti-slip stairs nosings can come in a variety of materials, such as wood, metal and laminate, the latter being very common. Black laminate nosing is used in a variety of commercial settings due to its relatively low cost and versatility. 

• Rubber

Typically used in outdoor settings, rubber nosing offers fantastic grip underfoot, perfect for high traffic outdoor and even indoor workplaces, like warehouses, garages and workshops.

• Metal

This covers a range of metal-based nosings, from pewter, nickel, chrome to steel and aluminium. Great for enhancing the safety and aesthetics of any staircase. We have a range of metal stair nosings to choose from.

• Brass

Brass stair nosing is a fantastic option for wooden staircases looking for a durable and stunning solution to withstanding foot traffic while maintaining its stylish aesthetics.

Understanding the Difference Between Anti-Slip and Non-Slip

Anti-Slip Treatment

The way anti-slip materials obtain their stability is through an acid etching technique. The process involves an acid attacking the calcium in the flooring (or nose strip) which then reacts with the glaze and silica. The result, a coarse, rough top surface that provides fantastic grip underfoot. It’s worth noting that due to this chemical reaction, acid-etched stair nosings can be very difficult to clean because the acid breaks the top layers of the nosing.

Non-Slip Coatings

Non-slip coatings, on the other hand, are single or dual-component coatings that are applied like paint (brushed onto a surface). This allows the coating to work as both a non-slip surface as well as adds additional protection and durability to the nosing. This helps to stop dirt and debris from getting onto the surface as well as making it easier to clean. 

Unlike anti-slip treatments, which see the process chemically alter and essentially damage the surface, non-slip coatings can be applied to a wide range of materials. They can also be coloured or made transparent, depending on the surface. In the event of applying non-slip coatings to stair nosings, you could make the coating transparent to blend into the stairs or use a colour that’s bright and bold to aid visibility and therefore safety.

Is Anti-Slip Stair Nosing Easy to Fit?

Short answer, yes! Anti-slip nosing can be fitted to most commercial staircases. They are applied to stairs the same way as standard stair nosings, take a look at our handy guide on how to install stair nosings for more information.

Can You Install Anti-Slip Indoors?

This comes down to the environment that you’re working in. For example, if you’re looking to improve the safety of your office environment for you and your employees, you wouldn’t need coarse super grippy stair nosings because an office environment doesn’t demand so much grip, at least not in the same way a warehouse, workshop or leisure centre would. 

Warehouses and workshops deal with a range of materials and situations that may affect the safety of workers, so safe traversal is crucial. In a leisure-based environment, such as gyms and swimming pools, stairs and flooring may be subject to more liquids, which could make stairs more slippery, therefore requiring grippier stair nosings. 

Do Anti-Slip Stair Nosings Get Damaged?

Anti-slip nosings are designed to withstand heavy foot traffic, so the likelihood they’ll become damaged is fairly slim. However, in the event of anti-slip nosings becoming damaged, they can be repaired. Damages usually occur in the form of the nosing becoming loose from the stair, which should be fixed swiftly to minimise the risk of tripping and falling. With regards to the surface of the stair nosing, they should keep their grip for at least a decade or more.

Looking for Anti-Slip Nosing for Your Commercial Property?

We provide a wide range of stair nosings for commercial properties that are ideal for protecting your staircase and enhancing its appearance. Choose from a variation of brass designs to metal alternatives depending on your staircase and interior design. All our nosings are easy to clean and swift to install.

Explore our stair nosings today