Bullnosing
Bull-nosing is the term given to the rounding of edges and corners of slabs, when used as step treads or coping stones on raised planters and walls to protect the arris.
Specialist tools may be brought to enable bull-nosing on site, although they require skill and practice to ensure an attractive finish. As the bull-nose is extrapolated along a tread or coping, great care must be given to ensure an aesthetically pleasing finish.
As step paving requires uniform thickness of materials, with any variation showing against its neighbour, it is advisable to purchase slabs required for use as step treads as a specific qualification from the supplier, who will ensure that uniformity is followed throughout the order. This is known as ‘Step Quality Material’, and will be recognised by the supplier when taking your order. (See Steps, Risers & Treads.)
If you are using porcelain paving to install a bull-nose effect, ensure that the product if ‘Full- body’ to avoid losing the pattern and colouration through the cross-sectional dimension of the slab showing the baking lines which occur during the firing process.
