While it might be difficult to narrow down the most commonly used style of stair nosing or stair tread, many people have been wondering, “what is the best Stair nose alternative?”
In today’s guide list, we will provide you with more than a few alternative options, starting with the best. Come along and find out!
1. Steel or Aluminum Stair Nosing (view on Amazon)
When we are talking about “stair nose” or “stair tread,” it is important to understand that we mean the lip or the edge of the step.
Without stair nosing, anyone using the stairs is inherently more susceptible to slipping and/or sliding on the steps, which is what makes steel step treads not only the arguably safest option but also the most aesthetic.
You will commonly see steel step treads in hotels and even hospitals, more so in hallway staircases, as these areas receive the most foot traffic.
Steel treads can look fantastic with almost any color of a staircase and they are more durable than you may assume. Did we mention that they are tremendously easy to clean?
This is because they are made of stainless steel, which means not only will any spilled liquids roll right off them but almost anything can be cleaned off of them with a couple of gentle rubs from a damp cleaning cloth.
If your stairs are wood you may be weary about using steel treads; however, there is no need to fret since steel treads actually go quite well with wooden staircases.
We have established that steel treads will look fantastic on pretty much any style of stairs but you must also consider how safe steel treads are as well.
Since they are made of stainless steel, you will not have to worry too much about them potentially breaking or chipping. The main and possibly only concern would be the securing screws.
If you go with steel treads for your staircase, consider also using washers on the securing screws to make sure they stay secured and have minimal “wiggle room” from heavy foot traffic.
2. No Stair Nosing
When thinking about your steps for inside or outside, stair nosing or stair treads are not a completely necessary fitting for staircases.
They might be more essential for public buildings such as hospitals, libraries, and community buildings but they are certainly not a necessity for a homestead.
Sure, they may offer more safety by adding tread to both the stairs and the edge of the corner of the stairs, but you should also consider how expensive stair nosing or stair treads can be, as they certainly fall more into the “luxury” department rather than the necessity.
Considering that without stair nosing, you will still have perfectly functional steps. Sure, they may not be as safe but they will function nonetheless.
Our primary point here is that you can save money and time by simply not putting stair treads on your steps.
Keep in mind that stair nosing is not used for every single staircase, only for high foot traffic areas. This is because, without stair treads, the edges or corners of the stairs will wear down much more quickly.
So, it becomes more of a decision between either saving time and money or possibly losing both since regular wear and tear will inevitably occur on stairs.
3. Wood Stair Nosing (view on Amazon)
Now, steel treads or no stair nosing are both viable options but suppose you are thinking about adding stair nosing to your home or office’s staircase. In such a scenario, you should consider doing wood step treads.
Wood stair nosing will look fantastic and will also enhance the cozy vibe. If you have wood steps in mind when considering stair nosing, then wood treads would most likely be the most aesthetic choice.
Not to mention that wood stair nosing is much more gentle on the budget when compared to steel or even aluminum step treads. Some wood step treads can even offer some texture, which means a better grip for running children or careful older adults.
We have certainly established what is great about wood step treads but what are some of the downfalls of wood stair nosing?
One con to wood stair nosing is the upkeep, as wood typically requires staining to both coat the wood with a protective layer but to also draw the natural colors out of the wood.
Bear in mind that wood stair nosing is not ideal for outside use since wood step treads will deteriorate from natural elements, especially if the wood is not stained or treated.
If you live in an area with high humidity, then you might want to think twice about using wood for the stair nosing since wood is susceptible to warping and bending from warm moisture (high humidity).
Consider all of these factors when debating whether or not to do wood for the stair nosing.
If you are planning on applying step treads to the stairs inside your home, the wood could be a fantastic choice but if you are wanting to add step treads to your outside patio stairs, then it may not be the wise option.
4. Glass Stair Nosing
Glass may not be the first material that comes to mind when thinking about stair nosing; however, glass step treads have become quite admirable in spaces such as apartments or homes.
This is because the glass offers tread while also giving the pleasant illusion of open space. If you are aiming to maintain a more modern feel inside your home, then glass step treads could be the perfect match for your staircase.
You are less likely to see glass stair nosing in industrial buildings such as warehouses since glass step treads are susceptible to both cracking and breaking if something heavy was to fall on them.
With that said, if you already have a glass staircase, then glass stair nosing is a no-brainer.
Not to mention with glass step treads, you could even enhance the vibe and usefulness by adding underlighting, which can also make late-night walking much safer and it will look remarkable in your home!
Unlike wood step treads, glass stair nosing does not wear down over time, and liquids such as water roll right off of them, which can make glass a surprisingly wise choice for outside steps.
5. Laminate or Vinyl Stair Nosing (view on Amazon)
We should point out that laminate stair nosing is quite an expensive choice for stair treads; however, they could certainly be worth the extra dough since it is extremely durable and will not require replacement for quite some time.
Considering that laminate stair treads come in many different shades and colors, you should have no problem finding the perfect shade for your home or even office.
Laminate does surprisingly well in the weather, which means that you could certainly use laminate stair treads for your outdoor stairs.
Not to mention that cleaning laminate is quite easy so you will not cringe if someone happens to spill something on your staircase.
6. Concrete Stair Nosing (view on Amazon)
While it may not be the most aesthetic, concrete is a very strong and reliable material for stair nosing. It is best used for outside stairs since it can withstand almost any weather condition.
If you opt to use concrete for your outdoor stairs, then you will have no issues cleaning almost anything off of the stairs since typically you will only have to spray them down with some high-pressure water.
This is why you will usually see concrete stair treads in or outside of industrial buildings since it is a very durable material and requires little to no upkeep.
7. Hardwood Stair Nosing (view on Amazon)
Hardwood is obviously similar to regular wood stair treads but it is much stronger and long-lasting. If the hardwood is also stained, then it will not only last even longer but it will look fantastic!
Hardwood is an especially good choice for wood staircases since they will go together seamlessly. Keep in mind that hardwood stair treads are certainly better than nothing, as they will protect your stairs against everyday wear and tear.
Not to mention that hardwood stair nosing is certainly DIY friendly, which means you can easily handle the installation without any professional assistance or specialized tools.
8. Tape Stair Nosing (view on Amazon)
If you are looking for stair treads that require very little to install but still offer reliable visualization, then look no further than tape! Not only is some bright tape incredibly budget friendly but it is also a wise choice for anyone who may be dealing with visual difficulties.
If you are an artist on a budget, then tape can be an excellent choice for stair nosing since it comes in every color of a rainbow and if you are feeling colorful, then you can even find rainbow tape to use on your steps.
Plus, tape is certainly better than nothing, as it will still provide protection for your stairs, it may not be as effective as some of the other options but it will work nonetheless.
9. Grip Tape Stair Nosing (view on Amazon)
If you would like to go a step further with the tape idea for your stairs, you could certainly do grip tape. It is still relatively easy on the wallet and it offers texture with its gripping exterior texture.
Grip tape is commonly used on skateboards, which is for a good reason since it helps skaters keep their footing on the board.
With this in mind, it would be a surprisingly fantastic idea for stair treads since it is relatively simple to apply and replace. With that said, grip tape will last a long time since it is made to take a beating.
Furthermore, you can typically find grip tape in a variety of colors and designs, which means you can also get creative with your staircase.
You can certainly use grip tape on outdoor stairs as well, as it is also made to handle varying weather conditions. It may sound like a wild idea but you very well may start a trend!
Stair nosing may not be essential for all staircases but it is a good and safety conscience thought. It can certainly protect your stairs against regular wear and tear while also offering stability and grip for those using the stairs.
