Owners of private houses are increasingly using ceramic steps for stairs (the views may be different) on the porch. And this is understandable, because this material has a large number of advantages and has high performance characteristics. In addition, you can do the facing of the stairs with your own hands.
Ceramic tile requirements for stairs
The porch is considered part of the house with increased operating load, therefore, serious requirements are made to the finishing material. For example, the material must be strong and non-hazardous. Many manufacturers produce tiles for house staircases. Such material has a less wide range of structures and colors.
The requirements for the material for facing the steps are:
- high level of wear resistance, since the porch is characterized by increased cross-country ability and heavy load;
- resistance of the material to the effects of acids, chemicals;
- immunity to low temperatures, as well as temperature differences;
- a high level of abrasion (for facing the stairs on the street, you should choose class 4-5 tiles);
- rough surface (also the tile can be with rubberized elements or with a surface treated with special means).
Types of ceramic steps for stairs
For facing the stairs (both on the street and indoors), you can choose one of three types of ceramic tiles:
- Directly ceramic. It is most often used for finishing house structures, since this material allows you to perform the necessary interior decor, creating integral compositions.
- Porcelain tile. This type of tile is often used for facing steps in public buildings. Porcelain stoneware requires the installation of non-slip sills to make the surface safer.
- Clinker. Suitable for cladding street structures, for example, on the porch of the gazebo. This type of tile has a long service life (with proper handling, the service life is up to 25 years). Clinker tiles are resistant to low temperatures and have a non-slippery surface.
The latter type of tile is the most popular among masters. It is made by extrusion, which involves extruding clay through special molds, after which the mass is burned for 36 hours at a temperature of 1300 ° C. This treatment leaves capillaries in the clinker, making the material impermeable.
Rules for choosing tiles for steps
When choosing tiles for ceramic steps for stairs (photos can be viewed in advance in the catalogs), both operational characteristics and decorative ones must be taken into account. You also need to understand exactly where the material will be used.
If we compare the described types of tiles of ceramic steps for stairs, then porcelain tile is considered the most durable material, so it can be used in any conditions (both in a private house and in rooms with high traffic). Clinker is the thickest material. It has a rough surface, which can be considered an undoubted advantage, since even in rain such a tile will be safe to use.
For facing the stairs, it is best to choose a material with the following characteristics:
- resistance to friction of groups 1-2 (suitable for the surface of a private home staircase);
- decorativeness (this parameter is optional and depends only on personal preferences);
- non-slip surface, so it is better to choose a tile with an abrasive coating.
Ceramic stage construction
Ceramic steps for stairs consist of three elements:
- Cornice. Steps with a cornice can be integral and prefabricated. In the second case, the cornice is a separate element. This has its advantages, for example, with mechanical damage, it will not be necessary to completely replace the entire tile, but only the damaged element can be replaced. At the same time, the assortment also has corner models for arranging the ends of steps.
- Riser. This part of the steps is equal to their height. Often this detail acts as an element of decor.
- Skirting board. The assortment includes right and left skirting boards. This must be considered when buying.
Ceramic steps for stairs: installation methods
There are two options for laying ceramic tiles:
- Lap on the riser. Suitable for all types of substrates. The method is characterized by simple installation, while the entire structure will be voluminous and expressive. In this case, the risers are installed first, and only then the ceramic steps for the stairs in the house themselves. Laying is performed with a gap of 2-3 mm.
- Butt It is used exclusively for concrete staircases. In this case, the step is first mounted, and then the riser.
Tools and materials for styling
To clad the stairs, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:
- the tile itself;
- water
- adhesive solution;
- drill with mixer nozzle;
- notched trowel;
- tile cutter;
- square;
- building tape;
- rubber mallet;
- building level.
Step-by-step instructions for facing the steps with ceramic tiles
If it was decided to use ceramic steps for stairs, the installation is carried out in several stages:
- First you need to make sure that the base of the steps is perfectly flat. If during inspection potholes or cracks were found, then they must be eliminated with a primer or a thick mortar. When facing a wooden staircase, it is recommended to lay a special lining under the ceramic tiles, after which the joints are sealed. When facing a concrete structure, the surface must be wetted to increase adhesion.
- The prepared adhesive solution must be applied to the base of the step, then distribute it with a notched trowel, making movements first with semicircular movements, and then setting the trowel at an angle of 45 °. No need to apply the solution immediately to the entire surface, it is better to do this in small portions.
- Now you can lay the tile itself. To ensure equal clearance between tiles, it is recommended to use tile dividers. You need to start work from top to bottom, while first installed tiles with a cornice, and then risers.
- To increase fixation on the surface of the tile, you need to tap with a rubber mallet, while it is necessary to monitor the evenness of the masonry. After that, you need to remove the remnants of the adhesive solution. After this, you can start grouting the seams.
Rules for grouting
This facing the steps of the stairs is no less important, therefore, the technology for performing work in this case also needs to be clearly observed. For grouting, you need to use the material in accordance with the color of the tile itself, the shades can be adjacent or contrasting.
Doing this job is easy. It is necessary to fill the seams with grout, then draw a smooth spatula along the seam, and remove the remaining material from the tile with a damp cloth.
When facing steps with clinker tiles, the gaps should be 0.8–1 cm. This is due to the thermal expansion of the material. When using other types of tiles, the clearance may be smaller.
Features of finishing tiles with butt joints
When arranging ceramic steps for a staircase, the design of edges and outer corners is the most difficult work, but it has the greatest decorative value.
There are several ways to design end joints. The most practical are the following:
- Installation of tiles with overhang. This is the easiest and cheapest option. It involves laying front tread tiles with a slight overhang over the edge of the step. The value of the overhang should be equal to the thickness of the tile. For arrangement, a glazed front edge is suitable. This method is not suitable for stairs with high traffic. Installation in this case is as follows. First you need to glue the tile on the riser, then combine this part with the edge flush. Then lay the tile on a horizontal surface. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the glazed edge of the material and the risers do not contact. Finish the work by grouting.
- Installation of tiles with the so-called safe edge. Its essence lies in the installation of relief tiles along the edge of the tread.
- Installation of tiles with a rounded front edge. Their surface can be smooth, rough or embossed. The choice should depend on the location of the stairs.
- Installation of corner tiles. They are bent at a right angle, as a result of which the joining of horizontal tiles and risers is not required.
The choice of ceramic steps for stairs also depends on the method, and the shapes may differ (with or without curves).
Many craftsmen prefer to use metal or ceramic overlays for the design of the edges.
General recommendations
You can improve the quality of work if you follow these recommendations of specialists:
- it is better to perform facing work at an air temperature of about 20 ° C;
- leave a gap between the 3-4 mm tiles (in the case of clinker, it should be larger);
- apply glue to the tile and horizontal surface better with a gear trowel, which will improve adhesion;
- a rubber mallet allows you to fix the tile in the right position;
- excess glue should be removed immediately with a damp sponge, since then there will be difficulties with this.
Design options
There are many design options for ceramic steps for the stairs, the types and forms allow this. This material is so versatile that, if desired (and the corresponding interior or facade design), it can be safely combined with other finishing materials. The most harmonious are the following combinations:
- clinker tiles with natural stone;
- concrete staircase with tiles;
- classic finish - natural stone with small interspersed ceramic tiles;
- the steps are decorated with a decorative mosaic in the form of an integral pattern (masters with relevant work experience can do this work, beginners can’t do this, so do not do this idea with your own hands).
Ceramic steps for stairs are tightly integrated into the life of a modern person. This was made possible thanks to good performance, affordability and the ability to do it yourself.