Stair Tread Inserts vs. Stair Nosings: What’s the difference and which should you use?

Stair Tread Insert or Stair Nosing what’s the difference?

Although stair tread inserts and stair nosing look to accomplish the same goals, they are entirely different in practice. It’s important to understand what’s compliant and what isn’t when considering safety on stairs, particularly when working on projects governed by the Building Regulations or other relevant building codes.

What is a stair nosing?

A stair nosing is an ‘L’ shaped strip of material that covers both the stair tread and riser at the point where the two meet. A stair nosing will protrude from the top of the stair by as much as 25mm before sloping away to meet the riser.

Stair nosing’s can be manufactured from multiple materials including:

• TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
• Stainless Steel 303, 304, 316 or 316L
• Brass
• Bronze
• Aluminium

The purpose of stair nosing:

• To provide a visual contrast for the visually impaired for both the stair tread and riser
• To increase the level of grip through patterned textures or inserts
• To increase the available area for footfall via an overhang to prevent slips
• To protect the edges of the stairs

What advantages do stair tread inserts have over stair nosings?

Both stair tread inserts and stair nosings shine in different areas but there are various aspects where stair tread insert are the clear winner.

Advantages of stair tread inserts:

• They’re more suitable for use on heritage and listed buildings due to their ability to match and preserve the surrounding aesthetic better than stair nosing
• Stair tread inserts are more attractive when installed into stone surfaces
• There are more options for customization with different profiles and metal finishes available
• They can be installed in groups of two, three or more and can be configured to fit the stair tread they’re being installed into
• Stair tread inserts provide ample grip and tactile feedback, even more so than the stair nosing alternative

There are however limitations to the use of stair tread inserts, due to their form they don’t fulfill the exact same role as stair nosing.

More detail on Part K and Stair Nosing compliance

When considering which to use we’d strongly suggest reading through Part K of the Building Regulations to understand whether the project sits under those regulations and what’s required when it comes to stair safety. Part K considers numerous scenarios in which requirements may vary including open and closed risers.

Part K’s general considerations for stair nosing are that they must:

• Overlap the tread by a maximum of 25mm
• Contrast visually
• Have dimensions of 50mm to 65mm wide on the tread and 30mm to 5mm on the riser

Stair tread inserts can achieve 50mm to 65mm wide on the tread when installed in groups and they can also provide a visual contrast. They however are not compliant in that they can’t provide any overlap or overhang and do not also appear on the riser.

In summary stair tread inserts are a fantastic addition to any location where a discrete and attractive tactile solution is required but they can’t entirely replace stair nosings. They’re especially suited for use on sites of historical merit or for use on listed buildings to preserve the surrounding aesthetic. For installations in the private realm or where the building regulations don’t need to be observed they provide a great alternative. However, they fall short when it comes to commercial and accessibility focused contexts due to that lack of visibility on the riser and the overhang necessitated by Part K of the Building Regulations. 

If you need more information on stair tread inserts or have any questions regarding this article, feel free to give us a call on 01686 807450 or email us at [email protected]