Aquacut’s Steps & Risers, Edge Profiles and Reduced Slip Features Fabrication
In this blog post, we will be covering the many services Aquacut can offer to complete steps and risers fabrication. We offer a wide range of services for steps and risers; from bullnosing finishes, edge profiles and polished finishes, steps and risers fabrication to complex reduced slip features.
Bullnosing, Edge Profiles & Polishing
Over the years, our artisans have developed a range of techniques for creating bullnose profiles using handheld tools and industrial machinery. We can finish straight edges as well as sweeping curves offering a wide range of edge shapes. Whether you need to create a unique finish to just a few pieces of marble, or bullnose hundreds of step edges, Aquacut can meet most needs. Bullnosed edges are most often seen in step treads, swimming pool edges, skirting tiles, vanity units, furniture edges, and window sills.
Explore the wide range of bullnose profiles offered by Aquacut. We can profile sweeping curves as well as straight edges. –
- The small pencil round gives the benefit of a rounded edge whilst keeping much of the flat edge.
- The half bullnose is generally a quarter-round circle which has a diameter the thickness of the material.
- The full bullnose is often used where the face of the material overhangs the riser (vertical) piece.
- The micro bevel is usually between 2-5mm wide at a 45-degree angle to the face / edge of the material. It is much less obvious but still removes the sharpness of the edge.
- The eased profile curve flows around the whole edge. This is our most popular edge, used in stair treads, skirtings and swimming pool edges.
- The 45-degree mitre is used to create a sharp edge, however this can be brittle, so it is often used when bonding two together to create corners.
Steps & Risers Fabrication
Aquacut fabricates thousands of steps which go into retail, commercial and domestic properties, often requiring several of the services Aquacut provides.
- Templating for those tricky step designs, such as spiral staircases.
- Cutting using our CNC controlled waterjet cutting.
- Bullnosing the step edges.
- Mitring steps and risers and bonding the two pieces together.
- Offering anti-slip on the steps.
- Providing strips with special resins to create better visibility for those with impaired vision.
Here at Aquacut, we offer a range of different step designs, the most popular being:
- A simple step which can have a bullnosed profile.
- A step with riser usually specified for commercial and retail steps.
- A simple step with a riser and bonded return which have more complex designs and are usually specified for large commercial projects.
- A simple riser, return and box bonded which are again specified for large domestic projects.
- A riser with two straighteners which can be used to house LED strips.
Reduced Slip Features
Aquacut offers a range of seven different anti-slip techniques to meet the most challenging designs. These are more often specified in commercial and retail staircases and ramps but may also be required when polished tiles or marble are used in domestic settings. We can provide anti-slip in different metals, most usually stainless steel, brass and bronze. We also offer specialist resins and paint enhancements too. As well as being functional, our anti-slip treatments can also add attraction to the steps. Our specialist designers are available to discuss the different finishes we offer.
Aquacut offer seven different options for anti-slip:
- Simple grooves cut into the material. If we do this while we bullnose the edge, the cost is less for the client.
- Grooves cut and then painted, often with good colour contrast which aids the visually impaired as well as affording anti-slip properties.
- Three 3mm grooves cut and square metal bar bonded. The bar stands around 1mm proud as an attractive and effective anti-slip feature. Finish usually in stainless steel or brass.
- This process uses a K-Grip, a resin specially formulated for anti-slip steps. The long-lasting resin is widely specified and is offered in a range of colours.
- Stainless steel tactile studs with unseen stems which are bonded into holes, drilled by Aquacut. Very attractive finish, but not often asked for.
- Etch a wide groove into the surface of the tile (circa 1mm deep). Creates a rougher ‘trench’ which aids grip.
