Any multi-story building, whether it is a summer house, 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 of the entire room. The difference between the two options is the presence of decorative cladding. Properly finished staircase 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
Most often, reinforced concrete and metal structures are exposed to cladding, since they look too massive and unpresentable. In the first case, not only the steps of the stairs are finished , but also the lining of such planes as risers, baseboards, bowstrings and braids.
Metal structures can be supplemented with steps and railings from other materials. And in fact, and in another embodiment, special attention should be paid to horizontal surfaces, since during operation they are subjected to maximum load. Next, we will consider how to choose the right facing material and what requirements it should meet.
The 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 of steps it is necessary to choose wearproof and at the same time non-slip coatings. Risers are finished with durable and resistant to mechanical influences options, since this area is most often subjected to impacts with toes of shoes.
- Matching flooring. The materials used to finish the stairs should be combined with the flooring on both floors.
- The geometry of the march. Straightforward constructions can be clad with any materials, while spiral and swing stairs require a more careful choice of cladding. 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 cost overruns and increased costs.
If there are small children in the house, special attention is paid to the insulation and sound-absorbing properties of the coating. In this case, the staircase is finished using wood, as it is more pleasant to the touch and has a shock-absorbing effect.
Concrete staircase painting is the most economical finishing method.
The most budgetary facing option is the painting of reinforced concrete structures. In this case, the staircase will look quite strictly and successfully fit into almost any interior. However, do not forget that concrete is characterized by rapid abrasion, so before painting the steps are covered with a solution of cement with hard crumbs.
Despite the cheapness and simplicity, few use this method, since this decoration method has its drawbacks. Painted steps remain hard, cold and quite 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.
It should be borne in mind that an loose roll product can form folds, which will inevitably lead to tripping and injury. For safer movement, the coating is firmly attached to the base, and corners made of metal or wood-polymer composite are installed in the corners of the steps.
Wood cladding
Very often, the staircase in a private house is finished using various types of wood. This material is appreciated for its environmental friendliness, warmth, attractive appearance and ease of installation. Wood trim is suitable for stairs of any geometry.
Beautiful and warm colors, as well as a natural pattern attract many homeowners, however, often wooden elements are painted. Here you should use vinyl or acrylic paint, which is not afraid of water and is resistant to wear.
Typically, concrete stairs are complemented only by treads of wood, and risers are plastered, painted white or tiled. This approach allows you to save on the purchase of natural cladding, gives lightness and a certain variety to the interior of the room.
What kind of wood should be chosen 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 these purposes. The selected wood material must meet the following requirements:
- have a moisture content of not more than 8%;
- characterized by a rectilinear arrangement of layers;
- not have knots, cracks, pigmentations and other defects.
Natural materials of the E-class (in other words, wood of the first grade) are optimally suited for these characteristics. For steps, grades are selected that have good hardness and maximum abrasion resistance. These include such deciduous species: oak, beech, ash and various exotic species.
Materials made of spruce and pine can be used for cladding skirting boards and risers, but it is not recommended to cover the steps with products made from these varieties. In an extreme case, coniferous wood can be used to decorate a staircase leading to an attic or a cellar (where people rarely go). This is due to the weak strength and fragility of these 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 often be washed with detergents);
- wide color gamut (staircase tiling can be carried out taking into account the style of the whole room);
- fire safety (in case of fire, the tile will prevent the spread of fire through the stairs);
- reasonable cost (tile is much cheaper than natural stone);
- durability.
Speaking about the disadvantages of this cladding, one should mention such qualities: cold, hardness and slippery. You can eliminate discomfort when in contact with ceramics by combining tiles with other finishing materials (for example, wood).
How to choose a tile for the stairs
The tile used to decorate the steps should have the following specifications:
- high resistance to abrasion (class IV or V);
- minimum hardness of 5-6 points on the Moss scale (this is usually indicated on the package);
- good anti-slip properties (without glazed coating with roughness and convex elements).
The materials used to equip treads must comply with these requirements. Risers can be arranged in lower-grade options.
A rock
Stone staircase decoration brings a touch of sophistication to the interior and emphasizes the viability of the owners of the room. Such designs are associated with ancient castles and luxurious classic apartments.
Since any natural stone is considered 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. It is possible to give a design a certain style and add some zest to the interior by combining the same breed of stone, but in different shades. If the steps are finished with lighter tones, the staircase will look lighter and more elegant.
However, do not forget that the stone is a natural material, so you cannot call it practical and easy to care for. Some species get dirty very quickly and practically do not peel. For this reason, the stones used in the interior were 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 installation and is repeated every two years.
What types of stone can be used for stairs
As it has already become clear from the above information, any material used for facing the steps should have good abrasion resistance and be sufficiently hard. Therefore, choosing a stone for facing treads, one should give preference to such types: basalt, granite, hard grades of sandstone, as well as heavy-duty varieties of calcite marble.
For the same purposes, travertine can also be used, but only if its pores are previously filled with special putty for stone. Using glossy options, you should cover the surface of the steps with solutions that prevent excessive slipping. For the same purpose, hollows and reliefs can be made in stone in the form of various patterns.
Limestones and soft types of sandstone cannot be used to equip treads, since such a coating will be short-lived, and steps will be very difficult to keep clean.
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring is considered a universal material that can be used as a coating both on floors and on steps. This material can add sophistication to even the toughest and most 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 the stairs with a laminate should be carried out with strict observance of the technology for laying this coating, since the duration of its operation depends on this. Here you need to consider several 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 stirring of the base when walking is unacceptable. If any element staggers, it must be securely fixed with screws. Before laying the laminate, the steps are ground and coated with a layer of finishing putty.
- When planning to cover a concrete surface, the base is checked for strength and evenness. If necessary, a leveling layer of cement screed is laid on concrete.
- After preparing the base, they start cutting 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 desirable to use slats that are much wider than the step itself, since in this case the structural strength will be much higher.
- A laminate is also used to design risers. It can be placed both vertically and horizontally. On the steps, only a horizontal arrangement of the lining is permissible.
How to choose a laminate for stairs
Finishing the stairs with a laminate begins with the selection of quality material. Laminate, like any wood product, is divided into several classes, which indicate the scope and characteristics of the product.
Panels for steps should have the highest degree of resistance to moisture, mechanical damage and abrasion. Usually at home, a laminate is used, the classification of which starts at 2, but for stair flights you should choose products with a marking of at least 31.
This article discusses several materials that can be used to decorate stairs. Photos of various options will help you create an impression of each finishing method and choose the method you like most. We hope that the above information will be useful to you.