Product Focus

How can we make staircases safer? 
All staircases present slip risks. This risk is even greater in wet weather conditions, under poor lighting, or if staircase users have restricted mobility, impaired vision, or other impediments. 

Architects must account for environmental conditions, user variability, and user errors in their designs. This is why Freedom Works has spent years developing our line of stair inserts and stair nosings. These products, placed strategically along the edges of steps, minimise the risk of slips. 

What are stair nosings and stair inserts? 
Each step in a staircase consists of two main parts: the riser, which is the vertical surface, and the tread, which is the horizontal surface. When people climb up and down staircases, their feet – or mobility aids – will typically only contact the tread. 

Stair inserts are rebated into the tread surface, creating raised ridges that run along the horizontal width of the step. This increases the friction between a person’s foot and the stair tread, reducing the chance of slips and falls. Stair inserts can also create colour contrast against the rest of the stair tread, drawing the user’s eye to where they place their feet and generating more awareness of movement, which consequently mitigates the risk of accidents. This is obviously helpful for any staircase user, but especially so for visually impaired users who need strong visual and textural contrast to detect stair surfaces.  

Stair nosings, on the other hand, begin on the stair tread and extend down over the edge of the step, partially covering the riser. Like stair inserts, stair nosings increase friction between a user’s foot and the stair surface. However, stair nosings are also designed to visually highlight the edge of the step, making it very clear where people should and shouldn’t place their feet. Additionally, some stair nosings protrude out past the edge of the step underneath, which means that they create a larger surface area for people to walk upon. As another bonus, stair nosings cover a significant portion of the step, so they protect the staircase from wear and tear. 

How are stair inserts and stair nosings designed? 
Stair inserts and nosings are conventionally made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), metal, and/or rubber. Some of our stair nosings are designed to be surface mounted for an easier, faster installation, while others can be rebated for a more secure, long-lasting fit. Our designs also vary in terms of shape and size, allowing architects to choose between visually subtle options or complex high protection alternatives.  

What type of stair insert or stair nosing should I choose?  
Polyvinyl chloride is the most affordable and easily installable option. However, Freedom Works does not supply PVC stair inserts and nosing because we believe this material is not sufficiently durable and will not keep people safe and staircases protected over the long term. 

Freedom Works offers six types of metal stair inserts with slight variations in profile and base material. Our solid stainless steel and heavy-duty brass inserts create a classic metallic visual, whereas our aluminium inserts can be anodised with several different colours to complement the surrounding environment. 

Our santoprene rubber stair nosing range offers exceptional anti-slip and anti-skid performance. These nosings are optimal for accessible stairways, fire egresses, back of house and service stairways.  

We have also developed a cutting-edge carborundum stair insert and stair nosing range which is ideal for both indoors and outdoors applications. Carborundum is an extremely durable high-friction material that radically improves slip resistance and user safety on staircases. The long-lasting nature of this material reduces the need for maintenance and replacement costs over time.  

Finally, Freedom Works has a top-of-the-line galvanised steel base with a yellow carborundum coating, the ultimate option for durability, visibility, and slip resistance. This is our recommended option for industrial environments where worker and visitor safety is the utmost priority.  

How can I incorporate stair nosings and inserts into my visual design scheme?  
Architects are often reluctant to use stair nosings and inserts because they believe that these modifications will compromise the beauty of their environment. However, Freedom Works refutes this belief wholeheartedly.  

The Hotel Grand Chancellor in Auckland features copper-bronze stair inserts in its internal timber staircases. These custom-coated inserts do not detract from the aesthetic design; rather, they create elegant metallic highlights upon each edge.  

Similarly, the Greenhouse, a residential complex in Ponsonby, features solid brass stair inserts and anodised aluminium stair nosings that emphasise the splendour of their surroundings. 

Why put all that effort into a simple staircase modification?  
The New Zealand Building Code requires the use of anti-slip measures in access routes and other important walking surfaces, but for Freedom Works, our work goes above and beyond simply complying with codes. Our fundamental aim is to prevent the kind of accident that has drastic long-term consequences for a person’s health and wellbeing. For this reason, we push ourselves to design more durable, useful, and aesthetically pleasing products that ensure positive user outcomes across all environments.  

Browse the Freedom Works Stair Inserts and Nosings collection here. 

Does your next project need code-compliant detailing? Contact our team for specialist advice and product information.