Stair Nosing: The Different Types of Nosing Explained

Featuring our Full LVT Stair Nosing in Brass.

Stair nosing is a term for just one of the many different parts of a staircase. Used to protect steps from the marks and scratches that are a part of everyday wear and tear, it’s essential for anyone interested in the upkeep of their staircase and ensuring a flawlessly put-together look for their interior design.

The many benefits of stair nosing also include practicality, improved grip, and visibility for greater safety on staircases. There are a few different types of stair nosing, each with its own benefits and suitability. As experts in all things stair accessories, we’ve provided this handy guide to the types of nosing for stairs and how you can benefit from each one.

If you’re trying to install stair nosing, we have a helpful guide with everything you need to know about fitting stair nosing.

What is Stair Nosing?

Stair nosing is a strip of material that is attached to the lips of each step edge included on a staircase. It can be made of a number of different materials, including metal, wood, or rubber, and come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. They can be modern and contemporary or made to suit traditional staircases.

Some have more aesthetic purposes while others are focused on practicality. Though seemingly small, stair nosing is a very important part of a staircase and is used in both commercial and residential buildings in this high-traffic area.

What Are the Benefits of Stair Nosing?

Stair nosing has 4 main benefits that make it essential for any staircase:

• Safety: Stair nosing helps guard against tripping hazards, allowing for increased grip and reduced risk of slips and trips. 
• Versatility: Installing stair nosing couldn’t be easier, and at places like Stair Rods Direct, you can get bespoke nosing that can easily be cut to fit any type of stair tread. This is especially useful for curved staircases.
• Aesthetics: Constant use of stairs means that the edge of the stair, the most stepped upon part, will wear over time. This will result in a scruffy look with marks and scuffs making your staircase all the more unattractive. Create an impressive visual impression for your staircase while improving safety with the simple addition of stair nosing. 
• Cost-effectiveness: With quality stair treads and nosing, the maintenance of your staircase becomes a lot easier in the long term, as you will not need to replace or renovate parts like you would without it.

The 4 Main Types of Stair Nosing

The most common types of stair nosing are:

No Overhang

Featuring our Stair Nose LVT in Antique Bronze.

This type of nosing for stairs is exactly as it sounds: as the nosing is flush with the riser, the stair appears as one single construction. The overall design effect is a sleek, modern finish.

Square Edge

Square edge nosing juts out visibly, with a slightly rounded edge despite the name – this rounded edge is effective at preventing dents and scratches. This style creates a classic, seamless look.

Half-Round Stair Nosing

This type of stair nosing is also referred to as “bull nose”. Its shape almost resembles a half moon, with smooth, rounded corners but a straight edge.

Full Round Nosing

Full round nosing curves fully around the step and is mostly used for the landing step only, as it has lesser slip protection. You will often see this nosing type on a grander staircase and is more of a stylistic choice than a practical one.

Featuring our Bending Bull Stair Nosing in Brass.

Different Stair Nosing Finishes

Stair nosing finishes come in a variety of options to suit different styles and durability needs. Metal finishes, such as chrome, brass, or brushed nickel, provide a sleek, modern look and exceptional resilience, perfect for high-traffic areas. Wooden finishes offer a classic, natural aesthetic, blending seamlessly with traditional interiors. Painted or coloured finishes allow for customisation, matching specific decor themes or adding a unique touch. No matter your staircase style, there is the right stair nosing finish for you.

Our Top Stair Nosing Picks

We are proud of our beautiful and practical selection of stair nosing products. Our most popular include:

Bendy Bull Stair Nosing

If your stairs are already fitted with LVT, our Bendy Bull stair nosing is specially designed for these staircases. This is an innovative product that even comes pre-drilled and with SPAX-M self-drilling screws included. Our how-to video guide to fitting Bendy Bull stair nosing shows what a simple process it is to install this quality product.

Ali Wrap Nosing

The Ali Wrap nosing is a durable option suited to a range of different types of stair edges as it is available in a number of finishes. These high-quality finishes include brass, chrome, black, and much more. Ali Wrap stair nosing can easily fit to existing overhang tread seamlessly, without the riser jutting out.

No Bull Nosing

This stair nosing type is also available in a variety of finishes and comprises a very stylish method of securing vinyl flooring to your staircase. There is no curving on this nosing type, allowing it to lie flat and flush against the stair tread for a seamlessly beautiful design finish.

All the Stair Accessories You Could Ever Need

At Stair Rods Direct, we have a superb range of stair nosing and premier lips to choose from, so you can finish off your staircase in style and guaranteed safety. Our products can be made to measure and delivered to you quickly, with free UK delivery as standard on orders over £75.