Do Stairs Need a Nose

You are not required to have a nosing/overhang on your stair treads. But if your stairs don’t have a nosing you are required to have a tread that is at least 11 inches long.

Is a stair nose necessary?

Stair Nosings Provide an Essential Safety Feature This gives you a solid, sturdy surface to step on instead of the slippery finish of carpet, vinyl, or tile. Also, the visual impact of a stair nosing helps to differentiate the edge of the step from the rest of the tread portion.

Why do stair treads have a nose?

Since the stair nosing is where people step on the stair, it is the part that tends to wear out first. With stair nosings, you can prevent the problem of worn stairs. You are also helping to prevent the problem of slips and falls because of the anti-slip features that stair nosings provide.