Successfully up and down – and step by step individually

Hammersmith Academy (London) (© Oliver Heinemann)

University of Communication (Ulm) (© Martin J. Duckek)

Gasterra Office (Groningen) (© Gerard van Beek)

Macquarie Bank (London) (© Riddle Stagg)

MEDICUM (Altenburg) (© Oliver Heinemann)

Step by step, reaching for the stars. And that with a special, powerful red for the stairs, which stylishly and securely guides employees and customers of the renowned Macquarie Bank in London through the impressive building day after day. The impressive staircase in the British branch of the Australian bank is a custom-made "Made in Germany," developed and supplied by nora systems GmbH. Worldwide, the company from Weinheim is known for its high-quality rubber flooring, which, due to its outstanding properties, is used especially in high-traffic buildings—from educational institutions, hospitals, and museums to industrial companies and banks.

High-quality monolithic staircase

To ensure that staircase areas harmoniously integrate into the architectural and design concept, the Weinheim-based company offers a comprehensive range of rubber staircase coverings—whether for new construction or renovation. The most popular option is the norament monolithic staircase made from a single piece, including pre-formed stair edges, treads, and risers. It is suitable for straight stairs with right-angled edges. In terms of colors and design, there are no limits. The tread surface, which is already available in twelve different shades in the standard program, can be customized to the customer's color preferences. Besides the cult-noppe as a staircase solution, very popular are norament satura in tone-in-tone granulate design and norament grano with contrasting granulate design. In both variants, the tread has a hammered surface finish.

Signal and safety strips increasingly in demand

A special feature that contributes to safety when walking are the signal and safety strips. "By installing ultra grip safety strips, the steps become even slip-resistant. Additionally, we recommend colored signal strips, which we integrate into the stair edge. This makes the first and last step, which are particularly significant due to the change in level, more visible," says Jürgen Karger, product manager at nora systems. In some countries, safety and signal strips are already mandatory due to local regulations, according to Karger. In Germany, they are still an optional solution but are becoming increasingly popular.

In addition to the monolithic staircase, nora systems offers customized solutions: combinations of flooring with stair edges and stair angles—used, for example, when a tread needs to be tailored for a spiral staircase. Edges and angles are part of the high-quality accessory program, which can also be easily used in conjunction with other types of flooring.

Harmonious appearance with floor and staircase

For staircase solutions, the product sister noraplan is also suitable. Unlike the norament tile, it is produced and installed as a continuous sheet. It is also extremely wear-resistant, slip-resistant, foot-warm, permanently elastic, and easy to clean. As with norament, the health aspect is also important. Rubber flooring and, consequently, the materials used for stairs are environmentally safe. When the responsible parties at the University of Communication and Design in Ulm were looking for an inspiring, health-safe, and durable solution for the building, they chose noraplan sentica. Today, a vibrant green accompanies the students in an attractive environment—this includes, in addition to the rubber flooring, the staircase harmoniously integrated into the same color tone, step by step. Floor and stairs create a uniform appearance over 2,200 square meters and contribute to a modern interior design.

Very quick and cost-effective installation

Anyone purchasing a monolithic staircase is guaranteed ease of handling and cost efficiency. The installation of the monolithic staircase is quick, clean, and professional, in one piece. All widths are possible, without visible seams or joints. One of the many advantages: the tedious installation of stair edges and separately cut treads and risers is eliminated. Almost any substrate is suitable: wood, stone, screed, metal, and many other solid bases. For installation, the particularly economical and environmentally friendly adhesive innovation nora Stepfix 240 is especially suitable. Using the double-sided adhesive tape, installation—whether in new construction or renovation—can be up to five times faster than with conventional adhesive methods.