We recently tore out and replaced a 40 step set of stairs with ‘manufactured’ slate in San Francisco.
Looking down, they made me nervous. If someone fell face down, they would slice and hack their face.
Movers and gardeners were sure to chip the edges. Nearly every stair I see with vertical edges is chipped here and there.
Solution! We utilize a grinding machine that makes the edges ‘bull nosed’ or rounded. No more chipping, no guillotine edge!
It works great on tile topped railings and walls giving a finished edge. Factory molded tile has casting marks and an unattractive edge. The new edges have a clean finished look, versus raw edges.
Durability show always be considered in products selected. Safety issues are not only paramount for our workers, but also the end uses and owners of stairs.
Here is a typically chipped tile stair (Dalmatian foot optional)
Tiled deck with tiled railings with rounded edges on top
Picture of the new finished stair with the nice, & safe rounded edges