Beech steps: types and advantages, installation methods and coating materials

Beech is a valuable species of wood, popular all over the world. Wood is a natural, environmentally friendly material, has many positive qualities. Stairs with beech steps are strong, durable, have an attractive appearance. The cost of their construction is much less than the construction of ash and oak. Modern design solutions allow you to create works of art from wood, which become an element of the decor of the room.

General information

Beech is a broad-leaved tree 35–40 meters high, with a spreading crown, smooth gray bark. The trunk is straight, without branches, about 2 meters in diameter. Distributed in temperate areas in Europe, Asia and North America. Life expectancy is up to 500 years. A young tree grows slowly. After reaching a century of age, this process goes faster.

Specimens with a trunk diameter of at least 0.2–0.5 meters are used for wood. By this time, the approximate age of the plant is one hundred years.

Wood is almost odorless. It is used for making dishes, baskets, drawers, finishing materials (wall panels, lining, parquet, parquet board), railings and steps for stairs, furniture and veneer, musical instruments.

Advantages and disadvantages of wood

By its characteristics, beech is similar to oak, but the price of beech wood is lower. Other advantages of the material:

1. The increased durability. The density of dry material is on average 700 kg / cu. m. These characteristics depend on the place of growth of the tree.
2. Low thermal conductivity.
3. Different shades: white-yellow, beige-pink, red-brown
4. Pleasant shine and appearance.
5. The structure of wood is homogeneous, without pronounced fibers on the cut, has no core.
6. On the saw tree rings are visible.
7. Humidity of a freshly cut tree is about 80%.
8. Ease of processing (polishing, painting).
9. It dries quickly (within 30-60 days).
10. When exposed to steam, it becomes flexible.

The disadvantages of the material include a high hygroscopicity indicator (absorbs moisture). It is also subject to decay. Beech stairs are recommended to be installed indoors and treated with special protective compounds. The disadvantage is the fact that the wood dries out greatly.

Types of stairs

All stairs according to the type of construction are divided into two types: marching and spiral:

1. Marching. Monolithic construction of steps and beams. Between marches there is always a recreation area. Such a ladder can have turns. Designs are usually solid, reliable, and easy to install. Installation requires a lot of space. The design is not suitable for cramped spaces.
2. Screw. The design has a main central support. The steps are attached to it in a spiral. The staircase does not clutter up the space, it looks attractive. Its disadvantage is a feature of ascent and descent (in a spiral). It is not always possible to quickly walk up the stairs.

All the main structures of wooden stairs are made of solid wood (oak, maple). Steps made of beech, supports and railings will cost less than oak, but will be strong and reliable.

Mounting Methods

Beech steps can be fixed in various ways:

1. On the skewers. The basis of the design includes several support beams made of timber or boards. They are installed at a certain angle. Steps and railings are attached to them from above. This is the most common and long-known option. The construction is massive and heavy, it requires a lot of free space, but the staircase turns out to be reliable, safe and durable. Easy to repair and replace steps.
2. On the bowstrings. The design consists of two wooden beams, between which steps are attached. They are installed in special recesses in bowstrings or on metal and wooden supports. The staircase looks bulky.
3. On the bolts (cantilever). A modern way of fastening without supports. The steps are mounted to the wall and interconnected by special fasteners (bolts). The construction takes up a minimum of space, looks easy and elegant.
4. On the pillar. Screw construction. The steps are fixed on a horizontal post in a spiral. A staircase suitable for a small area looks unusual.

Modern designers can make a full-fledged element of the interior of the stairs with beech steps. Reviews about them among the owners of private multi-storey buildings are the most positive. They cope well with weight loads, do not slip. With proper processing, wood will last more than a dozen years. Beech can be combined with other species, metal elements.

How to cover the steps of beech?

To preserve the initial qualities of wood, steps, railings and other elements are impregnated with special compositions: oil, stain, wax, varnish, refractory and water-repellent agents, antiseptics from beetles. The tree can be painted, but its texture is lost. In the room it is necessary to maintain a constant level of humidity, to avoid the ingress of large amounts of water on wooden elements.