"stair finishes"

Project:  Refurbishment and restoration of 6 flights of concrete stairs and landings at Pennybank Chambers, London     Client: Emrys Architects, DDC LTDMaterials used:  MicroConcrete coating in Grey colour and Satin finishThe Living Concrete team were commissioned by Emrys to refurbish and restore an old concrete staircase. This was followed by hand application of Microconcrete coating with Anti-slip agent around the cast iron step threads which were cast in brass finish.  MicroConcrete coating is especially suitable to this type of artisan restoration and it is ideal for tougher environments such as stairs, shop and office floors, bars, hotels and exteriors with no need for joins or breaks. It can be applied over existing materials which reduces the time needed for application and maintenance.

Our Premium Stair Nosings, in a black anodised finish, can be seen at Bond Street Tube Station as part of the Elizabeth Line refurbishment.

The ProjectLoughborough College provides a range of courses in further education, along with apprenticeships and professional qualifications. It is based on one of the largest student campuses in Europe, sharing the area with Loughborough University. Over 2000 students attend the college, with some living in adjacent halls of residence.The college staircases needed to be refurbished. The flooring was previously terrazzo, and this was to be changed to a rubber flooring. This was suitable in terms of durability and slip resistance for the large amount of people on the campus. To complement the flooring, the stair nosings had to be equally hard-wearing and safe.The stair nosings needed to adhere to all Building Regulations guidelines, along with BS8300:2-2018 and the Equality Act. This meant that they needed to have great slip resistant properties, and stand out from the black flooring to create a ladder effect on the staircases. This would help people to navigate the stairways, especially those with visual impairments.There was a special request from the college which would help to attain this noticeable difference between the stair nosings and the steps: “Hot Rod Pink” tread material, to match Loughborough College colours.The ApproachMidlands Flooring was hired as the flooring contractor for the refurb. As Hot Rod Pink is not a standard stair nosing colour, Dave Wilson from Midlands Flooring got in touch with a number of manufacturers to see if anyone could rise to the challenge.Within 24 hours, Quantum Flooring returned its proposal for manufacturing bespoke Hot Rod Pink tread material specifically for Loughborough College. The unique stair nosing tread would be made from the same material as Quantum’s normal tread, meaning it would be slip resistant and suitable for the frequent foot traffic.Quantum’s SR125R stair nosings were chosen to fit the tread material into. These profiles have a ramped back, to ensure that there would be no trip hazard on the staircases. They are raked back on the riser, to ensure a perfect fit on the steps. Plus, Quantum’s UTA aluminium stair edging trims were fitted, providing a safe and aesthetically pleasing finish to the side of the steps on the open string stairs.The OutcomeQuantum ensured a fast turnaround on the stair nosings, using the QSMS free measuring service. A Quantum representative electronically measured all of the steps to their precise lengths, and sent the results to the distributor Carpet & Flooring in Birmingham for the stair nosings to be cut and drilled.Midlands Flooring fixed the stair nosings with Q-Fix contact adhesive, ensuring a strong bond to the steps. Secret-fix was used to drill the profiles, meaning the tread material could be fitted on site, and there was no need for unsightly plugs to hide the screws in the tread. Quantum’s SR125R stair nosings with Hot Rod Pink tread material look fantastic in Loughborough College. The college was delighted with the results.Loughborough College has a unique, on-brand stair nosing tread for its refurbished stairways. Midlands Flooring did a fantastic job on the project, and Quantum backed them up with innovation and expedience.

Wireworks London approached us looking for a modern industrialised Oak to clad onto a winding staircase in a beautiful London home. Amongst the options we presented was our CH-E780. This a White Oak with a brushed and band sawn surface giving it a clean yet worn texture. The rusticgrade Oak allows for some knotting to appear without it overpowering carefully detailed floorboards.These boards are finished with a commercial grade UV cured oil that makes it hard wearing and easy to maintain. This particular product has also been fitted throughout the busy, modern offices at 3 Shortlands, Hammersmith. It is easily one of our most popular surfaces and finishes.Wireworks didn’t want a separate stair nose component, instead opting for mitring the length of the boards to a 45-degree angle and jointing them together with a biscuit and high quality PVA glue. The effect is a stunning cascade of band sawn Oak which looks like it was purpose built in a specialist workshop or factory. This an excellent example of the ingenuity of the team at Wireworks and the adaptability of wood flooring.Would you like to see this type of cladding in using a herringbone parquet? Then please see our case study: Cladding Stairs in Engineered Herringbone Parquet

Gradus supplied stair edgings, barrier matting and carpet to the New Look Support Centre at the Weymouth Gateway development. Committed to retaining its local presence and historic links with Weymouth, fashion retailer New Look underwent regeneration of its Mercery Road site as part of the Weymouth Gateway development. The purpose built New Look Support Centre is a modern three-storey building located at the entrance to the development. The finished look is one of clean modern elevations, substantially glazed to maximise the use of natural light and make the most of the spectacular view from upper levels.

The ProjectProject Triathlon was conceived as a new build warehouse development at DP World London Gateway. It was designed specifically for use by DHL Supply Chain, the world’s leading contract logistics provider. This brand-new structure would have an internal volume equivalent to 645 Olympic-size swimming pools.Shire Flooring Ltd was employed as the flooring contractor for this huge project. As the new warehouse involved areas which would be used for differing purposes, a range of floorings would be necessary throughout the facility. This meant that a range of flooring accessories would also be needed, to complement the different floorcoverings.The ApproachShire Flooring spoke to Quantum Flooring about supplying the accessories for the project. They would need cove formers and capping strips, to be fitted with resilient floorcoverings. Two types of stair nosings would also be necessary; one to be fitted onto wooden steps, and one to be used on carpeted staircases.Quantum’s QCF35 cove former would be used to curve the vinyl at the floor-to-wall junctions, protecting the floorcovering from damage at the join and making it easier to clean. UCS1 flexible capping strips were selected in both black and white for a mix of colour designs in different parts of the building. These would create a neat finish to the floorcovering up the wall.On the carpeted staircases, Quantum’s ZHF1 stair nosings were chosen. These heavy-duty profiles were fitted with mist coloured tread material, to contrast with the black carpet. For the wooden flooring, ZF125R stair nosings were used. These profiles have a ramped back, so they can be fitted straight onto wood or concrete steps without creating a slip hazard. Black inserts were used to contrast with the natural wood colouring.The stair nosings were fitted using Q-Fix, Quantum’s contact adhesive. Q-Fix is a single solution to fix Quantum stair nosings, with no need for screws or plugs. With a strong and durable bond, there is no more reliable stair nosing adhesive on the market.The OutcomeShire Flooring completed their work on Project Triathlon in 2022. By the end of the project, they had fitted an immense 3000sqm of flooring. They had also fitted 400m of Quantum stair nosings, and 200m of Quantum capping strips and cove formers.Quantum’s UCS1 capping strips in both white and black look great in the warehouse, with the QCF35 cove former assisting in protecting the integrity of the floorcovering where it meets the wall.Meanwhile, the ZHF1 and ZF125R stair nosings look fantastic on their respective staircases. With Quantum’s slip resistant tread material, they are helping to prevent slips, trips, and falls for the many workers at the facility.Shire Flooring did excellent work with Quantum Flooring products in this extensive project. DHL Supply Chain can be happy with a great design scheme, along with products that will keep its workers safe going into the future. 

Our black anodised Premium CMS stair nosings can be found in the entrance lobby at Queen Street Place, London EC4. Installed by Harper and Edwards, these elegant black anodised stair edgings create an excellent surface contrast to the grey porcelain tiles and natural wood features.

Open mesh steel balustrades, walkways, stairs and an agora now provide a safe and spectacular descent into the arena as part of an ambitious restoration project of the 1890 amphitheatre at Bradfield College. The theatre performs triennial Greek plays and celebrated its re-opening with a gala performance of Antigone in May 2014. The balustrade panels were made from DemiAlto grating with bespoke aperture of 55x110mm. The panels were installed without posts and were fixed through plates, mounted below the finished floor level. The grating was made with a suitable section of bearing bar to take the potential crowd loading.

University of Derby has recently refurbished its Nunnery Court halls of residence which included the installation of XT stair edgings to all core staircases. GXT11 from Gradus’ market-leading XT range of stair edgings were specified for the project to enhance the buildings safety, while maintaining a clean and contemporary aesthetic. XT stair edgings comprise an aluminium channel with a slip-resistant insert that extends around the leading edge of the profile to increase underfoot contact with the slip-resistant element of the stair edging, helping to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls on the stairs

Premier Inn is currently renovating several of its hotels and is choosing to install Gradus’ stair edging. RXT521 stair edging comprises a PVC-u channel and riser, providing an all-round visual contrast. The insert extends around the leading edge of the profile to ensure that foot contact is always made with the slip-resistant element of the stair edging. Sarah Simpson, Head of Product Development for Premier Inn, said: “We have large volumes of guests and staff using the stairs in our premises every day, so ensuring we work with a supplier like Gradus is really important.”

We are able to manufacture engineered wood stair units to match our flooring with the same colour and finish.The stair units include the tread and riser and can be made to exact sizes if we have detailed drawings. This means installation costs will be less. These stair cladding units can be fully bonded to old stairs, concrete stairs or Steel stair structures.The cost of these stair units are considerably more than our standard stair nosings and a deposit will be required before production because they will be to your specification. Lead times are around 12 weeks.

There is often a great deal of storage space available under the stairs. Allow us to show you how to make creative and practical use of this space.

Gradus products were supplied throughout the Darwin Building. GXT51 stair edgings with interior inserts in Snowdrift (white) were installed on the main staircase. Boulevard 6000 barrier matting was also installed at the main entrance of the building.

Pizza Hut in Glasgow have specified NSL15.16 to be used on their staircases to add a stylish look to the stairs whilst minimising the risk of slippage. The NSL15 stair nosing profile is designed to be used in most commercial and industrial applications. It is a straight edged, slimline profile and Pizza Hut have requested a black PVC insert finish.

The Ascent Up and Over step unit / Industrial stair system was specified to create a safe means of access up & over items of mechanical plant & equipment to the roof of the airport terminal building. The Industrial stair unit is supported on rubber spreader feet which provide a non-penetrative support solution on the flat single ply membrane roof. The stair unit is designed in accordance with BS EN ISO 14122-1:2001 + A1:2010 and Building Reg Part K:2013 and manufactured following 1090 factory production control procedures.

ASXT11 stair edgings from Gradus were specified for the project to ensure the safety of the staircase Gabija Bingelyte, Project Manager for the London School of Economics refurbishment said: “Thousands of people pass through the campus each year and, as such, the university needs to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for students, staff and visitors. “As the market leader with 50 years’ experience in the industry, it was an easy choice to specify Gradus for the project."

C.A.T. worked alongside Selfridges designers to produce a stair nosing finish that creates a fantastic welcoming first impression upon entrance into the Food Hall.

Gradus supplied R95XT11 PVC-u and CXT3 aluminium stair edgings to the main staircases to help protect against the risk of slips, trips and falls. Gradus also supplied a range of barrier matting to the development, including Esplanade 5000HD and Boulevard 5000HD.

The Ascent stair unit - Industrial stair system was specified to create a safe means of access over roof mounted mechanical and electrical plant and equipment. The roof area is tightly packed with Air conditioning plant creating a unique challenge to design a safe means of access across it. The Ascent step over / stair unit is able to accommodate spans up to 4.5m and was able to be utilised to create a safe access route. The step over unit is supported on rubber spreader feet which provide a non-penetrative support solution on the flat single ply membrane roof. The stair unit is designed in accordance with BS EN ISO 14122-1:2001 + A1:2010 and Building Reg Part K:2013 and manufactured following 1090 factory production control procedures.

Gradus’ Traditional Bronze stair edgings have been installed on 20 staircases that guide visitors from the upper deck to the scenic view promenade. Standing 324m above the Paris skyline, the Eiffel Tower is France’s most visited tourist attraction. In the first renovation operation to be carried out at the tower in almost 30 years, the first-floor platform has been transformed with the installation of a gangway and glass panels all the way round the central void, to give visitors the impression of walking on air, 57 metres above the ground.

Few people realise that it is possible to clad old stairs with our engineered herringbone parquet floors. It is a specialist skill and you should only employ trusted professionals who have the specialist equipment. The parquet blocks used here are unfinished so that you get perfect square edges. They are then oiled after all other works are completed so that you get your perfect floor. There is no separate stair nose piece as the top layer of solid Oak is a good 4mm thick and this allows the fitters to create an accurate mitre join.

Mono M311 Glass Infill Top FixThrough the early design stages of this impressive project, Delta Balustrades worked closely with the Liverpool based architects to develop the specification, design and technical details of the balustrade system.As one of the main features of the building, the Mono balustrade system to stairs, atriums, and external terraces with its minimalistic and subtle appearance, transformed the architect’s vision into reality.To meet requirements for buildings designed for children a lower handrail at 600mm above pitch line was required to the stair balustrades and the glass infill panels were required to extend to 1500mm above FFL and stair pitch line.On site close cooperation with the main contractor was necessary to conceal the baluster fixings below the finished floor level in line with the architect’s specification. Externally, this required an early fix of the balustrades without the glass infills, to enable the contractor to complete the waterproofing in view of subsequent trades progressing.

The Ascent Up and On step unit was specified to create a safe means of access between different roof levels external to the roof of a city centre residential block. The building is has a single ply membrane roof covering and it was the clients desire not to penetrate the roof; hence the step over / stair unit is supported on rubber spreader feet which provide a non-penetrative support solution. The stair unit is designed in accordance with BS EN ISO 14122-1:2001 + A1:2010 and Building Reg Part K:2013 and manufactured following 1090 factory production control procedures.

Large scale Fluid Concrete installation to all floors, window sills and stairs in Cement Grey colour. Oxicrete finish application to bathroom walls in Brown and Terracotta Red finish.Manufacture and installation of bespoke Gap panels in Rough Mist finish to shower walls.Materials used: Large format Gap GRC wall panels in Rough Mist finish, sealed with hydrophobic agent and clear sealant. Cement Grey Fluid Concrete floor coating and Oxicrete wall coating in Brown and Terracotta Red finish.

This straight feature stair and glass bridge is located in a spacious office in the heart of London. The mild steel structure accentuated the urban feel of this commercial space. The laser cut risers came complete with brass nosing inserts for a contemporary appearance and completed with a wax finish.

Duo D411 Glass Infill Top FixOrbis OS230 Perforated Infill Side FixThis project included a high spec balustrade to feature stair including extra height glass to waiting areas. The choice of DelamereX gave a natural hardwood look along with durability and low maintenance. An additional three staff staircase balustrade and handrails in standard HiBuild finish and perforated infill panels were also included.Throughout the project, close liaising was needed with the Architect to ensure all necessary design requirements were adhered to and approved. Delta Balustrades installation of the feature stair and balustrades was phased to synchronize with the onsite program.

CAT BN69 solid brass stair nosings were chosen to help compliment the £50 million refurbishment of this historic 19th century country house.

Industrial Sensor Specialist Longvale Ltd located at Lancaster Park in Burton Upon Trent, have selected Schlüter-LIPROTEC illuminated profile technology in conjunction with Schlüter-TREP stair nosing profiles to give their feature staircase a unique lighting design with a modern, slip resistant finish, within the entrance to their brand new facility.

AATi supplied the standard but robust SN30/60 cast Iron anti-slip stair nosing to the Museum located in Pinner Memorial Park close to where the artist worked and lived. These items were zinc plated to give a dark black finish and therefore, achieving a sufficient colour contrast with the surrounding surface assuring building regulation compliance.

The ProjectRobinsons is one of the largest independent breweries in the UK. It has a rich history, with the family brewing in the centre of Stockport since 1849. Its main building is called the Unicorn Brewery, after the pub which the family originally ran from 1838.The bottling plant needed a refurbishment, to help keep employees safe. The brewery requested a highly slip resistant flooring surface, to deal with the inherent risk of liquid spillages in the plant, which could cause hazards. To go with the floorcovering they also needed a hard-wearing, robust, and highly slip resistant stair nosing.The stair nosing would need to have low slip potential in both dry and wet conditions, to help ensure safety in the plant. The main way the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) assesses the slip resistance of flooring and stair nosings is by using a pendulum test, which measures the friction of a surface. In this way, a pendulum test value (PTV) can be given to different products. Any stair nosing must have a PTV of 36, or more, in dry and wet conditions to be considered low slip potential.The ApproachSteven Holland Flooring contacted Quantum Flooring to discuss the most appropriate stair nosings for the project. They decided to go with Quantum’s Ecoglo slip resistant yellow tread material, Eglo-34, fitted into double-channel SF225R Slenderline carriers.Ecoglo tread infills are often utilised for their photoluminescent qualities. From just 30 minutes of charge with either natural or artificial light, Ecoglo’s photoluminescent strips can provide 7 hours of glow in either internal or external environments. Ecoglo also has a slip resistant silicon carbide tread material.Eglo-34 is one of the highly slip resistant silicon carbide tread infills in the Ecoglo range. It has a PTV of 70 in dry conditions, and 66 in wet conditions. These both easily exceed the minimum required guidelines for low slip potential in HSE publications, and slip resistance in BS 8300-2:2018. This made Eglo-34 ideal for Robinsons Brewery.The OutcomeSteven Holland Flooring expertly cut Quantum’s yellow Eglo-34 silicon carbide strips to size, and fitted them in both channels of the SF225R aluminium stair nosings. As Ecoglo tread material is secret fix, there was no need for plugs to hide the screws.The result looks fantastic and helps to ensure the safety of all employees at the Robinsons bottling plant. The stair nosing is durable and has very low slip potential, with the double channel Eglo-34 double treads maximising the surface area of grip. The SF225R profiles have a ramped back, to remove any trip hazard at the back of the steps.With the help of Quantum’s stair nosings, Steven Holland Flooring have ensured a safe, secure and visually pleasing staircase in Robinsons bottling plant. The installation will be used for years to come, helping to prevent slips, trips and falls on the spiral stairs.

BackgroundWard Flooring were required to fit a Stair Nosing which met DDA and Equality Act guidelines. Whilst helping to create an attractive and colourful new learning environment for the school’s students.SolutionThe new Q Range, available in 21 special profiles of Stair Nosing proved to be the perfect solution. This unique Stair Nosing design proved to be the most suitable solution for installation in Drapers Mills Primary Academy. Owing to its all over tread design, which provides a slip resistant surface from the nose to the back edge, gives the benefit of extra safety when ascending or descending stairs.The satin etched aluminium riser surface provides the double benefit of being scratch resistant and it inhibits the potential for ‘glare’, which is one of the requirements of the latest BS8300:2008 and Building Regulation guidelines applicable to stairways in areas of Public Access. For more information about the Q Range of Stair Nosings visit www.quantumflooring.co.uk.

As experts in supplying balustrades to the Education sector, Delta’s powder coated Orbis balustrades with glass infill created an impactful and eye-catching feature stair and communal space for pupils.Delta also installed powder coated Orbis balustrades with vertical bar infills on the stairs.The construction of Pencoedtre High School by Bouygues UK was part of the £34m investment by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Welsh Government.The three-storey building with state-of-the-art facilities was built to accommodate 1250 pupils and as part of the 21st Century Schools programme to transform educational facilities.

Gradus' Stratus carpet in Flint (grey) was installed in all of the school classrooms. The carpet forms a clean, blank canvas for the bright accent colours of the furniture and fittings.Primary barrier matting from the Esplanade range was installed to the main entrance and all side entrances reducing the amount of tracked-in dirt and moisture.ADM1 aluminium stair edgings with Jet (black) slip-resistant inserts were fitted to all staircases defining the step and helping to ensure the safety of all users circulating between floors.

Challenge As part of a major Council Housing refurbishment project Portsmouth City specified the installation of a new vinyl floor covering to all stairwells with new Equality Act compliant stair nosings. The Equality Act offers best practice guidance and recommendations on how to make stairways safe and accessible for partially sighted people. Any new stair nosings for the project would therefore need to feature appropriately sized dimensions, a contrasting band of colour and tactile hazard warning surfaces to assist with user safety.

Floor Furnishings were tasked with fitting flooring in University lecture theatres. The spaces, which would be used by large volumes of people, had to be Equality Act compliant and meet building regulations related to stepped access and slip resistance. Nathan Jefferies, Director of the flooring contractor contacted Quantum to seek technical advice on which Stair Nosings would meet these standards. Quantum provided information on a Stair Nosing that would meet the criteria for this project and this information was passed onto the Architect working on the University buildings.

Humber Enterprise Park is an 86-acre site in Brough, East Yorkshire developed on the site previously owned by BAE Systems. Gradus carpet, matting and stair edgings (fitted using Gradus Grip) were used throughout. "Using Gradus Grip adhesive for fixing down the Gradus GTX51 & GXT11 profiles at Humber Enterprise Project was more cost effective as it is quicker than mechanically fixing each nosing, it also shortened the installation time as the adhesive sets quicker so there is no need to shut the staircases off for long periods." Nic Clawson Assistant Project Manager, Sandhurst Flooring