Facing concrete stairs: design options

Gusevsky Andrey Anatolyevich

Variant of modern concrete staircase finishes

Facing a concrete staircase must be carried out as it does not have an attractive appearance and can spoil the entire interior of the room.

How can I finish a concrete staircase

To date, for such work provides a fairly wide variety of materials. But, the tile is most popular.
She may be:

• Ceramic.
• Porcelain.
• From concrete.
• Of natural stone.

In the photo there are examples of such a design of a concrete staircase.

Tip. For facing the staircase, only durable and practical materials should be used.

Ceramic tiles in concrete stairs

Ceramic tiles for facing concrete stairs mean a well-prepared surface. It should be smooth and primed.
By design, all concrete products already have a flat surface.

Note. This material has been used for many years in the decoration of rooms with high humidity: bathrooms, bathrooms and other rooms. All this is due to the technical performance of the tile.

Tile, its properties and varieties

Tiled finish example

It is very practical and its application on stairs will be quite simple. Its surface does not perceive pollution and is very quickly cleaned.

Tip. For better cleaning of tiles, you can use both simple detergents and abrasive. From this material will not be deformed.

Characteristics:

• The tile is moisture resistant and very durable. On its surface, it is able to withstand significant mechanical and physical loads.

In appearance there is a wide range of such material, the surface itself can be:

• Structural.
• Convex.
• Concave.
• Glossy.
• Matt
• Glazed.
• Embossed.

Sizes are also varied:

• 10x10 mm.
• 20x30 cm.
• 30x30 cm.
• 60x30 cm.

So:

• There is a mosaic on a special basis and its size is 20x30 cm. But, professionals do not recommend using it on steps concrete stairs, since it does not have the necessary strength.

Tip.
The best option for finishing staircases is a tile measuring 30x30 cm or 60x30 cm. Tiles in most cases correspond to the dimensions of the step itself and do not require additional cutting.

• The wear resistance of the tile is manifested in the fact that during the entire period of its operation the surface does not change its appearance, but such material serves for a rather long time - 25-30 years.
• It is worth noting that the ceramic tile does not burn. This is due to the fact that during its manufacture rather high temperatures are used.
  There is a tile of double or single firing. The tile with double firing has more practicality and reliability, since for the second time of firing, a special protective layer in the form of glaze or a simple matte is applied to it.

The tile is not afraid of frost and high temperatures. At the same time, it is deformed and does not change its structure.

Installation of ceramic tiles

Stages of installation work with ceramic tiles

Facing a concrete staircase with ceramic tiles is performed using such tools and materials:

• Tile adhesive or mortar for concrete.
• A spatula with which the solution is applied to the back of each finishing element.
• A building level that helps make the finish even.
• Cross shaped beacons providing an even distance between each tile during masonry.
• Decorative putty, which processes all the seams after masonry.

Works:

• All work of this type is very easy and simple to do with your own hands, as they are nothing complicated. The most important thing is to put the first tile correctly.
  The direction of installation of subsequent elements will depend on it.

Tip. Finishing a concrete staircase using ceramic tiles is not carried out immediately. Each row must be firmly fixed to the surface and this takes time to dry the solution or glue. It is also not recommended to walk during the construction finish.

It is necessary to begin all work from above, and gradually sinking down. The video shows such a process.

Porcelain stoneware tile

Laying Porcelain Tiles

Facing with a tile of a concrete staircase from porcelain tile differs in the originality. The material has a large assortment and size.
There are tiles:

• 30x30 cm.
• 60x30 cm.
• 90x90 cm.

So:

• The best options are the first two sizes of porcelain tiles. The latter type of material is used for finishing external surfaces, as it has a large size.
• Although porcelain stoneware is one of the subspecies of ceramic tile, it is several times stronger in strength and reliability.
• This is due to the fact that it is made not only from different grades of clay, but also quartz and feldspar, which are the founders of the natural agglomerate - granite. Hence the name comes - porcelain.

The material undergoes double firing during the manufacturing process.
There are surfaces:

• Matte or glossy.
• Structural or embossed.
• Glazed.

Note. The price of porcelain tiles is slightly higher than for simple ceramic, but this does not affect the popularity of the material.

Porcelain tiles have the same properties as simple ceramic tiles:

• Moisture resistance and fire resistance.
• Practicality and durability.
• Wear resistance and ability to withstand high temperature conditions.

The installation of such material is carried out in the same way as when using ceramic tiles.

Concrete staircase tiles

Step decoration

Concrete tile for cladding stairs used for outdoor use. This material has excellent properties and characteristics.
They will be identical to the properties of the concrete staircase itself.
Characteristics:

• Tiles are made from a solution of concrete, into which various types of fixing agents and hardeners are added during the production process.
• Also, in order to give a certain shade to the material, natural or mineral coloring pigments are added.

Concrete tile can be used not only to finish the stairs, but also to decorate any outdoor area, it:

• Moisture-resistant, despite the fact that it is made of concrete mortar, which is fired several times in the production process and pre-pressed, which makes the material structure very dense and without pores.
• Practical, since it does not require special care for its surface. It does not absorb pollution.
• Wear-resistant, because throughout the entire period of operation does not change its appearance and structure.
• Frost and fire resistant.
• Such material can be used over a long period of time. It is very durable and able to withstand very large mechanical and physical loads.

Tip.The surface of concrete tiles is not recommended to be cleaned using chemicals, since the structure from such exposure may begin to deform.

Installation of concrete tiles on the surface of stairs

Installation technology

As a rule, concrete tile has a rather large thickness and is mounted on the surface of the soil using:

• Sand.
• Cement.
• Water.

So:

• There is also a specific instruction according to which all actions are performed. Special equipment for ramming the material is also used.
• As for the flight of stairs, the concrete tile has a slightly smaller thickness. It is mounted on a solution of concrete, which is made in advance. Fixers are added to it, which increase the strength of the finish.

For installation you will need:

• Concrete mortar and mixing tank.
• Construction mixer for a better mortar and giving it a homogeneous structure.
• Construction level for smooth masonry of concrete tiles.
• Grinder for cutting material.
• Small spatula for applying mortar.

What you need to provide:

• Concrete mortar is not superimposed on the inside of the material. It is applied only to the concrete surface of the staircase itself.
• It is not necessary to impose very thick layers, since over time such a cladding may begin to deform.

Tip. For a greater bond of concrete mortar with the surface of the stairs, it is necessary to make small holes in the concrete with a hammer. The solution that will be used for the installation of concrete tiles will reliably fix the material in this way.

Tiles from natural agglomerates for the finishing of a flight of stairs

Facing with concrete staircases made of natural stone has recently become very popular. For this, marble and granite are often used.
By their properties and technical indicators they are almost similar, but the cost of marble is slightly higher than that of granite.
Characteristics:

• Both materials are moisture resistant and practical. They do not burn and do not deform under the influence of high temperature conditions. Able to withstand any load on its surface.
• Granite or marble tiles do not respond to frosty weather and thus it is possible to use them to perform exterior finishing works. Such materials do not have a fixed operational period.
  They do not change their structure and appearance over time.
• The surface of granite or marble tiles has a wide selection of shades. It can be matte or glossy. It is impossible to say that such a material is very practical, since its surface can react to chemical influences.
• For this reason, do not clean granite or marble with cleaning agents. Since it does not absorb dirt, it will be sufficient to use a damp rag.

The installation of natural tiles of this type is carried out similarly to the installation of porcelain tiles. The process uses the same tools and tools.