Light reflectance values (LRV) for flooring and stair nosings
Light reflectance value (LRV) is how specifiers judge visual contrast between surfaces, and it is a requirement, not a nicety, wherever accessibility matters. We publish an LRV for every Organic decor and every stair nosing insert so you can demonstrate the contrast that Approved Document M, BS 8300 and the Equality Act expect. The full data is below.
What is a light reflectance value (LRV)?
LRV is the percentage of visible light a surface reflects, from 0 for a perfect black to 100 for a perfect white. The greater the difference in LRV between two adjacent surfaces, the stronger the visual contrast, which helps people with visual impairments read a space, find a doorway, or see the edge of a step.
How much LRV contrast do you need?
BS 8300-2:2018 and Approved Document M are commonly referenced for a target of at least a 30-point difference in LRV between critical adjoining surfaces: floor and wall, stair tread and riser, and, importantly, a stair nosing against the tread and riser it sits between. Contrast is assessed under the lighting the space will actually have, so always confirm against a physical sample before final specification.
Organic Collection, LRV by decor
Published LRVs for the PVC-free Organic Collection, grouped by colour family. Values are approximate and printed swatches are indicative, request a sample before final specification.
| Organic decor | LRV |
|---|---|
| Pastel | |
| Jade Green | 47.9 |
| Powder Rose | 51.8 |
| Almond Beige | 44.1 |
| Fountain Blue | 48.2 |
| Sunshine Yellow | 58.4 |
| Springtime Orange | 54.4 |
| Earth | |
| Wheat Brown | 29.9 |
| Aloe Green | 31.4 |
| Ocean Blue | 17.8 |
| Rust Brown | 24.9 |
| Melange | 34.9 |
| Navi Blue | 13.8 |
| Neutral | |
| Cotton Beige | 48.3 |
| Chocolate Brown | 17.9 |
| Light Grey | 46.6 |
| Silver Grey | 29.7 |
| Steel Grey | 16.2 |
| Pure White | 82.5 |
| Bright | |
| Royal Blue | 19.6 |
| Tropical Orange | 33.9 |
| Cherry Red | 17.8 |
| Honey Mustard | 58.9 |
| Summer Sky | 28.5 |
| Apple Green | 46.0 |
| Natural | |
| Napa Walnut Rust | 17.4 |
| Napa Walnut Brown | 13.8 |
| Halifax Oak Natural | 33.4 |
| Halifax Oak Brown | 19.8 |
| Durban Oak Taupe | 32.9 |
| Modern | |
| Durban Oak Brown | 19.8 |
| Newport Oak Natural | 43.0 |
| Newport Oak Brown | 33.0 |
| Melbourne Oak Natural | 32.1 |
| Melbourne Oak Brown | 15.5 |
Stair nosing inserts, LRV for step-edge contrast
Our stair nosing inserts are machined into the top face of The Floor Gallery solid-wood nosings (straight-drop or bullnose) to give a continuous non-slip band across each step. Every insert has a published LRV so you can achieve the required contrast against the tread. Inserts are supplied as a single or double band; 120H Hazard and 80 Mill are single only.
| Standard insert, smooth PVC, R11, PTV 66 dry / 54 wet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code | Colour | LRV |
| 01 | White | 79.9 |
| 16 | Black | 4.5 |
| 20 | Brown | 9.1 |
| 25 | Beige | 41.1 |
| 27 | Canvas | 53.2 |
| 30 | Red | 10.6 |
| 43 | Dolphin Grey | 27.6 |
| 44 | Ice Grey | 42.1 |
| 46 | Midnight Grey | 12.8 |
| 47 | Yellow | 55.7 |
| 48 | Cobalt Blue | 9.2 |
| 58 | Cloud | 59.0 |
| 68 | Haze | 66.2 |
| 78 | Sand | 70.3 |
| 120H | Hazard | 32.8 |
| Pyramid insert, textured PVC / silica quartz, R11, PTV 57 dry / 47 wet | ||
| Code | Colour | LRV |
| 601 | White | 49.9 |
| 616 | Black | 4.6 |
| 621 | Safety Blue | 10.8 |
| 643 | Dolphin Grey | 11.5 |
| 647 | Yellow | 48.1 |
| Ribbed insert, NIA50, 50 mm | ||
| Code | Colour | LRV |
| 80 | Mill | 78.9 |
See the full nosing collection for profiles and specification.
Download the stair nosing inserts datasheet (PDF), full colour range, LRV and technical specification.
LRV for our cork and wood ranges
We can provide the LRV for a specified cork or engineered wood decor on request. Ask for it with your sample and we will supply the figure for your contrast calculations.
Light reflectance values, FAQ
Common questions on LRV and contrast.
What is a light reflectance value (LRV)?
LRV measures how much visible light a surface reflects, on a scale from 0 (a perfect black) to 100 (a perfect white). Specifiers use it to judge visual contrast between adjacent surfaces, floor to wall, stair tread to riser, and a stair nosing to its tread, which matters for accessibility under Approved Document M, BS 8300 and the Equality Act.
How much LRV contrast does Approved Document M require?
The benchmark widely referenced from BS 8300 and Approved Document M is a difference of at least 30 points of LRV between critical adjoining surfaces, including a stair nosing against its tread and riser. Contrast is assessed under the actual lighting, so verify against a physical sample. We publish an LRV for every Organic decor and every nosing insert to make this straightforward.
What LRV do your stair nosings have?
Every stair nosing insert has a published LRV. The smooth standard inserts range from LRV 4.5 (Black) to 79.9 (White), the pyramid textured inserts from 4.6 to 49.9, and the ribbed Mill insert is 78.9 for strong contrast against darker timbers. All inserts are R11 rated for slip resistance. See the table above.
Can you provide LRV values for your cork and wood floors?
Yes. We publish full LRV data for the Organic Collection and the stair nosing range, and we can provide the LRV for a specified cork or engineered wood decor on request, ask for it alongside your sample.
Specifying for visual contrast? Request LRV data and samples for your decors, or explore the nosing collection, slip resistance and the specifier hub.
Light reflectance values (LRV) for flooring
What are light reflectance values (LRV) for flooring, and where can I get them?
Light reflectance value (LRV) measures how much visible light a surface reflects, on a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (white); a higher LRV means a lighter-looking floor. It is used for Approved Document M and Equality Act visual-contrast requirements between floors, walls and stair nosings. The Floor Gallery provides the LRV for any flooring or stair-nosing colour we supply — request it alongside your sample. See our nosing collection.