Facing stairs with granite: installation and design
Porcelain tile is a modern material made from natural raw materials. In composition and production technology, it differs from clinker, practically not inferior to it in strength and aesthetic qualities.
But the price is pleasantly pleasing, which is often a determining factor when choosing a material. Thus, porcelain stoneware facing a staircase, terrace, floor of the lobby, or the platform before going down to the pool, can be a significant savings for the owner of the house.
The content of the article
Porcelain stoneware decor for stairs
The excellent physical and mechanical properties of the material, which will be discussed in this article, make it an ideal coating for floors, flights of stairs and platforms. We will talk about how it is made concrete staircase finishing porcelain stoneware, and offer you some options for their design.
Choose a tile
Porcelain tiles according to their technical indicators are divided into five groups. Depending on the intensity of movement on the surface, which is supposed to be faced, a tile of a certain class is selected.
Each of them corresponds to the level of strength of porcelain stoneware, and accordingly, its cost:
- Cladding of stairs with porcelain stoneware must be performed with tiles of at least 4 groups, which are designated according to the international standard (PEI IV). This tile has a fairly high coefficient of abrasion, and is suitable for any surfaces in residential and office buildings, including stairs.
- More durable is only tile of group 5, which can be used even at metro stations and railway stations. Moreover, the presence or absence of glaze does not affect the degree of strength of the product.
This issue is often confusing for both buyers and sellers.
- For stairs finishes it is best to choose unglazed tiles with a non-slip surface. If the finish is to be carried out with tiles of the usual configuration, which is used in floor coverings, special moldings will be needed to design and protect corner joints, as in the photo above.
- Porcelain stoneware for facing the stairs can also be purchased in the kit from the manufacturer. It includes everything that is required for this work.
In addition to the tile itself, it is also decorative risers, corner profiles and even skirting boards. Installation kit is always attached to such a kit, so that everyone can do the lining with their own hands.
- For step finishes manufacturers offer tiles and a design that closes the corner joint, and eliminates the need to use a profile. It can be not only a tile, but also an integral frontal step.
And if you have a standard-sized staircase, overhead steps with dimensions of 1200x330x20 mm will be an ideal option for finishing it: there will be no seams on the surface of the stair treads. - As for the appearance of porcelain tiles, here you will be presented with a wide selection. It can imitate the texture of marble, wood, mosaic ceramics, parquet flooring, and even leather.
Facing with porcelain stoneware of a concrete staircase, as a rule, is carried out in harmonious combination with the decoration of the walls along the stairwell.
In the design of the stairs, porcelain stoneware can perfectly combine with ceramic, mosaic glass or clinker tiles. On the example above, you can see the chic design of the staircase interior, where the ornament on the ceramic tile, which is the decorative coating of the walls, perfectly combines with the pattern on the steps of porcelain stoneware.
Facing nuances
The steps are tiled mainly on concrete stairs. In this case, it is very convenient, since the glue mounting method is used.
So:
- If you did not take the opportunity to purchase the necessary materials in the kit, but bought everything separately, before starting work, check their compatibility and size.
- Most likely, the tile will not correspond to the width of the step, and it will have to be cut. To fit it you need a tile cutting machine.
- Tile is laid on a peeled and ground base, using, at the same time, a special adhesive composition for porcelain tile. Like other types of dry mixes, this composition in a certain proportion is diluted with water.
The ratio of water to mixture required for the manufacture of the solution is always indicated on the package. - Facing stairs and steps with porcelain stoneware is carried out in a downward direction, starting from the upper platform. Apply the solution to the back of the tile with a notched trowel.
The tile should be flush with the perimeter of the step or slightly exceed it. If necessary, the protruding part of the tile is cut off by a grinder. - First of all, tread facing is made, and then decor for risers can also be mounted. The last set skirting boards, which can be left-and right-hand.
If the walls along the stairwell are on both sides, you will need both types of skirting boards.
Facing a concrete staircase with porcelain stoneware also involves the use of anti-slip pads on the steps. This is true if the staircase is not inside the house, but outside.
The use of such inserts reduces the likelihood of injury on an icy porch in the winter. Watch the video to understand how to install them correctly.
Several design options
A variety of tile decor makes it possible not only to beautifully design the stairs, but also to make it individual.
- A decorative accent can be made on the surface of treads, for the facing of which a tile with a pattern is used, or a beautiful texture that mimics any natural material.
- But more often, the emphasis is on the risers. This is very beautiful, as you can see by looking at the examples of staircase design given in our article. There is one more nuance.
- Due to the fact that the tile has to be cut, the integrity of the pattern is violated, therefore, for cladding treads, monophonic tiles are most often chosen. In an extreme case, its texture should be such that the trim of the tile does not affect the aesthetic perception of the pattern.
- As a design option, the lobby interior is shown on the example above, where both the floor and steps are finished with monophonic tiles. But this design has its own highlight - LEDs mounted along the corner joints of the staircase lining.
This solution is designed not only to decorate the stairs, but also provides the ability to move on it in the dark.
Having chosen porcelain tiles for finishing a concrete staircase, you can search for possible design options on the Internet, or come up with something of your own. In any case, the facing will not disappoint you, unless, of course, it was performed in compliance with the technology.
