Any multi-storey building, whether it is a dacha, a private house or a country cottage, is equipped with a staircase. In some cases, this is an unsightly element of the interior, designed to move between the levels of the house, but sometimes, in addition to its main task, this structure serves as an original decoration for the entire room. The difference between the two options is the presence of decorative cladding. Properly executed staircase finishing allows not only to transform the entire structure, but also to make movement along it as comfortable and safe as possible. But what materials can be used for this purpose and how to choose them correctly, we will consider in this article.
Types of stairs
Reinforced concrete and metal structures are most often clad, as they look too massive and unpresentable. In the first case, not only the finishing of the steps of the stairs is performed, but also the facing of such planes as risers, skirting boards, bowstrings and stringers.
Metal structures can be supplemented with steps and railings made of other materials. In both cases, specialattention should be paid to horizontal surfaces, since during operation they are affected by the maximum load. Next, consider how to choose the right facing material and what requirements it must meet.
Choice of finishing material
Finishing the stairs in the house should be carried out taking into account the following nuances:
- Safety and practicality. For facing steps, it is necessary to choose wear-resistant and at the same time non-slip coatings. The risers are finished with durable and impact-resistant options, as this area is most often hit by the toes of shoes.
- Compliance with the flooring. The materials used to finish the stairs must match the flooring on both floors.
- March geometry. Direct-flight structures can be lined with any materials, while spiral and turn stairs require a more careful choice of lining. When choosing a tile or stone, it should be borne in mind that they will have to be cut a lot, which will lead to an overrun of material and an increase in costs.
If there are small children in the house, special attention is paid to the insulation and noise-absorbing properties of the coating. In this case, the stairs are finished with wood, as it is more pleasant to the touch and has a shock-absorbing effect.
Painting concrete stairs is the most economical finishing method
The most budgetary facing option is the painting of reinforced concrete structures. In this case, the ladder will look likeStrictly enough and successfully fit into almost any interior. However, do not forget that concrete is characterized by rapid abrasion, therefore, before painting, the steps are covered with a cement solution with hard chips.
Despite its cheapness and simplicity, few people use this method, since this decoration method has its drawbacks. Painted steps remain hard, cold and rather uncomfortable. Such decoration of the stairs in the house is carried out in cases where the owners plan its further arrangement with the help of additional materials. For example, you can cover the flight of stairs with soft carpets that absorb sound well, retain heat and help create a cozy home environment.
Here it should be noted that a loose rolled product can form folds, which will certainly lead to stumbling and injury. For safer movement, the coating is securely attached to the base, and corners made of metal or wood-polymer composite are installed at the corners of the steps.
Wooden cladding
Very often finishing stairs in a private house is performed using different types of wood. This material is valued for its environmental friendliness, warmth, attractive appearance and ease of installation. Wooden finish is suitable for stairs of any geometry.
Beautiful and warm colors and natural patterns attract many homeowners, but often wooden elementsare dyed. Here you should use vinyl or acrylic paint that is not afraid of water and is resistant to wear.
Usually, concrete stairs are complemented only with wooden treads, and the risers are plastered, painted white or tiled. This approach allows you to save on the purchase of natural cladding, gives lightness and some variety to the interior of the room.
Which wood should I choose for finishing stairs
For the arrangement of steps, an array or layer-by-layer glued wood is usually used. But parquet boards are categorically not recommended for use for these purposes. The selected wood material must meet the following requirements:
- have a humidity of no more than 8%;
- characterized by a rectilinear arrangement of layers;
- not have knots, cracks, pigmentation and other defects.
E-class natural materials (in other words, first grade wood) are best suited for these characteristics. For steps, grades with good hardness and maximum abrasion resistance are selected. This includes hardwoods such as oak, beech, ash and various exotic species.
Materials made from spruce and pine can be used for lining baseboards and risers, but it is not recommended to cover steps with products made from these varieties. In extreme cases, coniferous wood can be used to finish the stairs leading to the attic or cellar (where people rarely go). This is due to the weak strength and fragility of the data.varieties.
Tiling
Very often the stairs to the second floor are finished with ceramic tiles. This method has its advantages and disadvantages.
The positive aspects of ceramic cladding include:
- hygiene (tiles can be washed frequently with detergents);
- wide range of colors (decorating the stairs with tiles can be done taking into account the style of the entire room);
- fire safety (in case of fire, the tiles will prevent the spread of fire through the stairs);
- acceptable cost (tile is much cheaper than natural stone);
- durability.
Speaking of the shortcomings of this lining, we should mention the following qualities: cold, hardness and slipperiness. You can eliminate discomfort when contacting ceramics by combining tiles with other finishing materials (for example, wood).
How to choose tiles for stairs
Tiles used to decorate steps must have the following specifications:
- high abrasion resistance (class IV or V);
- minimum hardness of 5-6 points on the Moss scale (this is usually indicated on the packaging);
- good anti-slip properties (no glazed coating with roughness and bumps).
The materials used for arranging treads must comply with such requirements. Riser options available in lower grades.
Stone
Finishing the stairs with stone brings a touch of sophistication to the interior and emphasizes the viability of the owners of the premises. Such designs are associated with ancient castles and luxury classic apartments.
Since any natural stone is considered a cold and massive material, stairs in small rooms should not be completely lined with them, as they will look too bulky. Combining several materials at the same time helps to change the situation. You can give the design a certain style and bring some zest to the interior by combining the same type of stone, but in different shades. If the steps are finished with lighter colors, the staircase will look lighter and more elegant.
However, do not forget that stone is a natural material, so it cannot be called practical and easy to clean. Some species get dirty very quickly and are practically not cleaned. For this reason, the stones used in the interior began to be treated with special impregnating compounds. They reliably protect natural material from the harmful effects of moisture, fats and colored substances. Processing is carried out immediately after laying and is repeated every two years.
What types of stone can be used for finishing stairs
As it has already become clear from the above information, any material used for lining steps must have good abrasion resistance and be sufficiently hard. Therefore, when choosing a stone for facing treads, one should givepreference for such types: bas alt, granite, hard varieties of sandstone, as well as heavy-duty varieties of calcite marble.
Travertine can also be used for the same purposes, but only if its pores are first filled with a special putty for the stone. Using glossy options, you should cover the surface of the steps with solutions that prevent excessive slip. For the same purpose, you can make depressions and reliefs in the stone in the form of various patterns.
Limestones and soft sandstones cannot be used for treading, as the coating will be short-lived and the steps will be very difficult to keep clean.
Laminate finish
Laminate is considered a versatile material that can be used as a covering both on floors and on steps. This material is able to give sophistication to even the most rough and massive concrete structures. It is quite easy to care for, pleasant to the touch, does not require any additional treatments and has an acceptable cost.
Finishing stairs with laminate should be carried out with strict observance of the laying technology of this coating, since the duration of its operation depends on it. Here you need to consider a few important points:
- If the laminate is laid on a wooden surface, the boards are checked for strength and stability. For this coating, even the slightest movement of the base when walking is unacceptable. If any element staggers, itmust be securely fastened with self-tapping screws. Before laying the laminate, the steps are sanded and covered with a layer of finishing putty.
- When going to cover a concrete surface, the base is checked for strength and evenness. If necessary, a leveling layer of cement screed is laid on the concrete.
- After preparing the base, start cutting the lamellas. If the width of one board is not enough to cover the entire step, the elements are connected and only then cut to the desired size. It is advisable to use lamellas that are much wider than the step itself, as in this case the strength of the structure will be much higher.
- Laminate is also used to decorate the risers. It can be placed both vertically and horizontally. Only horizontal cladding is allowed on steps.
How to choose a laminate for stairs
Finishing stairs with laminate begins with the choice of quality material. Laminate, like any wood product, is divided into several classes that indicate the scope and characteristics of products.
Step panels must have the highest degree of resistance to moisture, mechanical damage and abrasion. Usually at home they use a laminate, the classification of which starts at 2, but for flights of stairs, you should choose products labeled at least 31.
This article discusses several materials that can be used to finish stairs. Photos of various options will help you get an impression of each method.finishes and choose the method you like best. We hope you find the above information useful.
