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Finishing stairs with laminate: technology for restoring concrete and wooden stairs. Finishing a staircase with laminate - simple implementation and elegant look How to decorate a staircase with laminate with your own hands

Interior from various breeds wood has always been highly valued. And this is not only because in our area there are many of this material, but because of its practicality and beauty. But everything always comes to an end: such crafts break, get wiped, and you have to make major renovation. Therefore, many developers prefer stairs made of concrete rather than wood. A similar staircase in a residential building does not look very aesthetically pleasing, but laminate finishing makes it attractive. The finishing can be done by hand.

Finishing stairs with laminate: what is important to know?

Since you have decided to cover the stairs with laminate, you need to firmly remember that laminated panels first of all need a rigid base. Therefore, they are most often used specifically for concrete steps, and not for wooden stairs. After all, even if the staircase is strong enough, but has play, the panels will simply move apart. Using glue will also have no effect: they will simply crack.

Finishing stairs with laminate is perfect solution. However, it must be taken into account that laminate can only be considered as finishing material and nothing more, because it is not even a durable wooden plate, but a combination of different layers.

The thickness of the panels that can be used for varies from 6 to 12 mm. They are made of wood, or rather, one layer of high-density fiberboard, around the perimeter of which there is a lock, two layers of various papers and another layer of melamine or acrylic resin.

Before you begin laying the laminate on the stairs, it must be allowed to rest in the center of the room for 2 days at a stable temperature (at least +18°C) and a relative humidity above 70%.

Please note that all packs of finishing material must be closed. This is necessary so that the material adapts to the conditions of future installation.

Prepare the materials needed for:

1. Wood saw or jigsaw.
2. A block for tamping laminate flooring.
3. Hammer.
4. Pencil.
5. A ruler.
6. Spacer wedges.
7. Clamp.
8. Plywood.
9. Polyethylene film.

The moment whether in the future it will be carried out with laminate or any other material must be taken into account at the design stage, which should be carried out taking into account the fact that the covering of the steps also has its own thickness.

A fairly common mistake when building concrete stairs is the lack of the required gap between the flights. There must be a distance of 75 cm between them.

The formwork for the stairs must be as precise as possible. The difference in the height of the steps should not exceed 0.95 cm, otherwise it will be extremely difficult to correct in the future. In order for the surface to be as smooth as possible, moisture-resistant plywood with a smooth surface should be used for formwork.

Before laying laminate flooring, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations on the packaging.

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Preparing to finish the stairs with laminate

However, as practice shows, a perfectly level concrete staircase with absolutely identical steps is an almost unattainable task. Therefore, you first need to measure all the steps and choose the highest one. After this, all other steps are adjusted to its size using a self-leveling floor mixture. If the difference is insignificant, then the mixture must simply be applied to the surface of the step. Even if they are approximately the same height, the surface of the concrete still needs to be leveled as much as possible.

If the difference in height is more than 1 m, then it is necessary to make formwork for the steps. It is made of plywood 4 mm thick. The formwork is secured with dowels so that its upper edge coincides with the required level.

Before pouring the leveling mixture, you need to clear the stairs of debris and prime the surface for better adhesion. Only after the primer has dried can the self-leveling mixture be poured.

Wait until the surface dries well, and you can proceed to the second stage, which consists of attaching the plywood. The plywood will act as a moisture-proofing layer and will not allow the linings to absorb excess moisture. Prime the surface again and wait for the primer to dry.

According to the size of the steps, cut blanks from a sheet of plywood 10-15 mm thick. Apply adhesive mastic to the surface of the concrete step, lay plywood on top and secure it with a dowel. Plywood must be laid out level.

In finishing stairs you can use almost all types of coatings used for flooring. In our article we will talk about how to finish a staircase with laminate.
We will also consider which board is best suited for finishing stairs, and what nuances in its selection and installation will have to be taken into account.

Properly finishing the stairs in your home is just as important as laying the flooring. After all, the cladding of staircase steps not only decorates them, but also experiences considerable stress during operation.
And if you want the finishing of the stairs in your house with laminate to be done according to all the rules, let's start with choosing the material.

So:

• The laminated board consists of several layers: high-density fiberboard on a stabilizing substrate and a decorative paper layer coated with melamine or acrylate resin.
• Depending on the manufacturer, the composition of the panel may vary and have different configurations lock connections. Any laminated board belongs to its own class.
  Classification of this material used for production floor coverings, is produced according to the degree of abrasion resistance, impact resistance, water resistance and some other indicators.

• There are six laminate classes in total: 21; 22; 23 and 31; 32; 33. Class numbers starting with two are options for home use.
  From class 31, laminated boards for commercial applications where higher loads are expected. Laminate finishing of wooden stairs must be done using this material of at least class 31.
• When purchasing material, you need to keep in mind some nuances. Each step must have a solid board.
  The facing of the treads, as well as the steps themselves, is not made from pieces. Therefore, the width of the laminate must be calculated correctly.
• Often the steps of the stairs have different widths, so you need to navigate by the widest one, and then simply count the number of steps. The resulting amount of board will be needed only for lining the treads.
• Then, multiply the height of the riser by the number of steps. If the staircase is a flight of stairs, then there are also landings.
  Their area also needs to be taken into account, adding it to the estimated amount of material required for cladding the flights of stairs.

• Before finishing a staircase with laminate, you need to lay a polyethylene, or even better, cork backing under each step. It will provide good shock absorption of the coating, as well as sound insulation when walking on the stairs.
• In this case, finishing the stairs with laminate is done by hand, and the staircase has a complex configuration, it is necessary to make cardboard templates, according to which to cut out the cladding and backing elements. This way you will avoid mistakes when cutting material, and, as a result, its overuse.

• To connect multi-level surfaces, there are special profiles. One of them is in the photo above.
  The profile design allows you to beautifully decorate the joints of staircase cladding elements. The profile will also contribute to the distribution of loads on the surface of the board and its uniform abrasion.
• Finishing stairs with laminate requires a certain set of tools. The most convenient tool for cutting laminated boards is a jigsaw.
  In the absence of a jigsaw, you can cut the panels with a hacksaw, circular saw. But, if you need to cut, for example, a hole for a baluster, it is better to use a regular narrow metal file.

• Finishing the stairs in a house with laminate cannot be done without the use of self-tapping screws. Each element must be fixed on both sides.
  This is enough, since there will be additional fixation with a corner or profile.

To ensure that the fasteners are not subject to corrosion in the future, it is best to use options made of stainless metals: copper, brass or zinc.

Of course, the price of such fasteners is somewhat higher, but you won’t have to pay twice for cladding the stairs.

Cladding steps with boards

• Any staircase, not only wood, but also metal or concrete (see How to finish a concrete staircase with wood), can be lined with wood. Often, for this purpose, a facing board made of solid hardwood is used: oak, larch, beech, mahogany or ebony.
  Nobody argues – it’s very beautiful. Such staircase cladding elements are usually made to order and fit perfectly together.

But such cladding is expensive, plus the services of a specialist who will have to be invited for installation.

Decking composite board
Therefore, there must always be an alternative. We have already talked about laminated boards.

And another type of board, which contains not only wood, but also polymers, is a composite decking board, or, as it is otherwise called, decking.

So:

• This is what decking looks like - a composite board
• Moreover, the staircase can be not only in the house, but also on the porch. And the area in front of the entrance to the house can also be laid out with decking.
  By the way, terrace board The areas are also lined before descending into the pool (see Finishing the pool: how this is done). How to do it, watch the video, master it this type The instructions found on the Internet will also help you.

• Just as in the case of laminate, the width of the board should correspond to the width of the steps. Decking is cut like any other board.
  But it is more convenient to use than other types, because the edges of the composite board do not require additional processing. Decorative end caps are included with the decking.
• Working with a composite board when finishing steps is somewhat different from how, for example, finishing stairs with parquet is done. In the cavity of the board there are special ventilation holes. The decking is installed with the slots facing down.
  It is very convenient to mount such a board to metal frames Boltsev and spiral staircases using clamps and screws.
• To edge the front part of the tread, just as in the case of laminate, use a profile or aluminum corner. When making fastenings, before screwing in the screw, you need to pre-drill a hole, since the board has a very dense structure - this will make it easier to screw in the screw.

Finishing stairs with composite boards goes well with other materials. For example, if there is a board on the tread, then the riser can be faced mosaic tiles, clinker, stone, or porcelain stoneware.
Thus, your staircase will also acquire an original look.

Decorating the steps with parquet

Unlike previous types of cladding, parquet boards are more vulnerable to moisture and require pre-treatment special impregnation. The width of the parquet board does not exceed twenty centimeters, which does not correspond to the width of the steps.

• But that’s what parquet is for, to be assembled from small elements. The parquet board is larger than the solid parquet strip, which used to be the only element used to create such floor coverings.
  Parquet planks made from solid wood were, and remain today, the most expensive type of flooring.

• The creation of parquet boards not only made it possible to reduce the cost parquet flooring, but also made it possible to use it in other types of finishing. And this is not only the decoration of stairs - parquet is now used in the decoration of walls, and even ceilings!
• The board's multilayer structure made it possible to make the board cheaper. The lower part of the board is made of cheap types of wood, which is covered with veneer of valuable types of wood on top.
  The board has s four sides grooves that allow it to be fixed to adjacent cladding elements.
• When laying floor coverings made using parquet boards, preference is given to locking joints.
  When finishing stairs with parquet, it is more convenient to use the adhesive installation method.
• To ensure the insulation of the stairs from the booming noise that occurs when walking, it is best to use a cork backing, which we wrote about above.
  Both the substrate and the board are fixed with glue. First, the riser part is glued, and then the tread covering. Otherwise, the work on facing the steps parquet board
• , is not much different from that where other types of wood coatings are used.

Additional fastening to the cladding elements will be provided by a profile, which, as in other cases, is used to decorate joints and strengthen the edges of steps that experience the heaviest loads.
Here, in fact, is the entire review on finishing the stairs with boards. All types of coatings that we have talked about do not present any particular difficulty in the production of work.

They can be done independently, without the involvement of specialists. The main thing is to strictly follow the technology, and your staircase will serve you for a long time without causing any trouble. An interfloor staircase in a house should not only fulfill its intended purpose, guaranteeing safe movement between floors, but also complement aesthetically pleasing

general design of the room. To ensure this, the steps need to be lined. Laminate is used as a finishing material, because this material has all the necessary characteristics that fully ensure success in achieving the goal.

Advantages of laminate over other coatings

1. A staircase finished with laminate will become the final element in the design of the room In appearance, laminate is difficult to distinguish from natural wood
2. , and various types of designs perfectly imitate wood and even materials such as marble or granite. Excellent weathering physical exercise
3. and is not subject to abrasion or pressure. It does not leave dents or scratches from heavy objects. Resistant to high temperatures
4. and has decent fire resistance.
5. Absolutely harmless to health, bacteria and dirt do not accumulate in it, and does not cause allergies.
6. It has a special system of connecting locks, thanks to which installation is carried out.
7. Durable: if all recommendations and instructions are followed during installation, laminate flooring can last more than 10 years.
8. Affordable.

Required tools and materials

• Hacksaw or jigsaw;
• Pencil, ruler;
• Roulette;
• Building level;
• Notched trowel;
• Sandpaper (for cleaning parts of metal stairs);
• Parquet glue, adhesive mastic;
• Primer for metal (concrete);
• Self-leveling floor mixture;
• Plywood 4 mm and 10–15 mm;
• Laminated panels;
• Corners and strips for fastening (for the profile system);
• Dowels, screws, bolts;
• Rubber support pads;
• Polyethylene backing for laminate.

How to prepare a concrete or metal staircase

Laminate is not a durable wooden plate, but just a finishing material that consists of several layers. The thickness of the panels is from 6 to 12 mm. They are made of high-density fiberboard, a top decorative layer of paper and a bottom waterproof backing. Part protective coating acrylic or melamine resin included.

Leveling steps using formwork

Before pouring the mixture, the surface must be cleaned of dirt, primed and given time to dry completely. After pouring and drying the solution, plywood 10–15 mm thick is installed on the surface of the steps, which provides a moisture-proofing layer between the base and the laminate.

On concrete and metal steps, plywood is attached level. To do this, you need to cut the blanks relative to the size of the surface, apply adhesive mastic to the base, install an insulating layer of plywood and fix it with dowels. For metal stairs Using a drill, drill holes and secure with bolts.

Fastening plywood

To prevent laminate panels from squeaking, and also for soundproofing purposes, a soft polyethylene backing is laid on top of the plywood.

Using a laminate underlay

Laminate preparation

Since the steps of the stairs experience heavy loads during operation, ordinary laminate is not suitable for finishing. For these purposes, there are special types marked 31, 32, 33, 34. The number 3 indicates that the laminate belongs to the commercial class, and the second number indicates the thickness of the top protective layer.

When choosing a laminate, you need to take into account the width of the laminate boards and, if possible, select them taking into account the width of the steps to avoid joints. Of course, if the staircase includes platforms, then connections cannot be avoided. In such cases they are installed in the usual way

castle to castle.

Laminate for stairs

When installing laminate on a riser and tread, a small joint is formed between two laid boards, which is covered with an edge profile. It is applied to the seam and secured with screws or glue. In this way, the unsightly connection is covered and the entire structure is further strengthened.

1. What are edge profiles? Metal thresholds in the shape of a corner.
2. They decorate and protect the edges of steps from damage, and also have a corrugated surface that provides an anti-slip effect. Thresholds made of plastic.
3. Perform the same functions as metal ones. They differ from other moldings at a low price. They come in different color shades. Attached with glue. Wooden thresholds. They fit perfectly under laminate, have a fairly long service life, and can be minor repairs
4. (grinding, varnishing). Fastened with self-tapping screws, bolts or glue. Special laminated thresholds.

They are installed on the edges of the steps using metal guides. First, the guide itself is attached with self-tapping screws, then the laminated corner is inserted into the grooves and glued.

Types of edge thresholds

Instructions for cladding steps with your own hands

• Using a specialized profile
• Measure the width and length of the step, using a ruler and pencil, transfer the dimensions to the laminate board.
• Cut with a jigsaw or wood saw strictly along the marked lines of the workpiece for each step.
• Number all panels to avoid confusion during installation.
• Start installing laminate flooring from the top step, gradually working your way down.

Apply glue to the riser (vertical part) and place it, pressing the laminate plank tightly so that between it and the next step there is a gap equal to the thickness of the laminate. Place a special rubber pad under the bar to ensure the required distance. This is done so that the underlying tread board (horizontal part) slides under the riser board.

• It is convenient to create a gap using unnecessary small pieces of laminate, using them as support pads for a vertical board. Apply glue with guide profile, install it on the edge of the step surface and fix it in this position. Additionally, secure to the tread with screws (bolts if the stairs are metal) at intervals of 15 cm from each other.
• Apply glue to the horizontal part of the step and spread it evenly around the entire perimeter using a notched trowel and lay the laminated board on top. If this is the lowest tread, which is flush with the floor, then connect it to the main flooring in the traditional way - lock to lock. Slide the remaining tread boards under the vertical laminated riser panels.
• Install a rubber insert into the slot of the edge guide profile. In some cases, it is put on the tenon of the tread board, so the installation method depends on the type of laminated profile.
• Apply adhesive to the grooves of the laminated molding and install it onto the metal guide and rubber insert. Make sure that the parts are firmly pressed against each other. There should be no gaps between the laminated and guide profiles.
• All subsequent steps are sheathed in the same way. After finishing work, it is not recommended to use the ladder for 24 hours - until the glue has completely dried.

Installing laminate using a specialized profile

Using wooden, plastic or metal thresholds

• Just as in the first case, you first need to measure the steps, cut and number the laminate blanks.
• Attach the panel to the riser, taking into account the gap for the horizontal board.
• Apply glue to the horizontal part, distribute it evenly using a notched trowel and fix the prepared part by sliding it under the vertical board.
• Install and secure the threshold on the edge of the step. If it is metal, then it is screwed through special holes with self-tapping screws, and the plastic one is fixed with glue. Any of the above methods is suitable for wooden thresholds.

Video: Finishing stairs with laminate

As you can see, all stages of finishing the stairs with laminate are simple, so they can be implemented without the involvement of specialists. By completing the finishing yourself, you will not only improve your staircase, but also save money. It is only important to choose the right materials for the job and adhere to the technology.

 Laminate staircase finishing allows this element to look harmonious with the rest of the interior and protects it from damage. Thanks to the “wooden” patterns, such a staircase makes an indelible impression on the guests of the house. And the wide selection of such patterns on the market of construction and finishing materials will allow you to have your own, original, design. Thanks to extensive experience repair work and permanent

To update information about new technologies, the finishing of steps with laminate is carried out by our craftsmen exactly within the time period agreed with the customer and with high quality.

 Advantages of finishing stairs with laminate

To finish the stairs, you should use laminate of class 31, no lower. Due to the frequent use of this element of the house, the coating must have increased strength characteristics. Wooden steps often make creaking sounds. Laminate with a sound-absorbing layer, and even with cork backing, will hide these sounds perfectly. Before laying the laminate, be sure to check the steps for unevenness. If they are present, be sure to lay the laminate on a substrate.
  Before starting work, be sure to check not only the laminate boards for modification and size, but also the profiles with which you will cover the edges and corners. This type of work requires certain knowledge. It is better to entrust it to specialists.

Finishing staircase steps with laminate. Call the master

Finishing the stairs with laminate allows you not only to improve appearance design, but also to ensure its comfortable operation. However, to get good result, it is important to choose and lay the laminate correctly.

Laminate is a material consisting of 4 layers:

• The stabilizing substrate ensures the strength of the product and protection from deformation;
• The main part of the product is load-bearing layer. It consists of fiberboard high density. Thanks to it, laying laminate on steps provides noise and heat insulation of the finished surface;
• The second layer from the top is paper. He performs decorative function and determines what the coating will imitate. The relief of a stone, a log frame or any other aesthetic material can be applied to the paper;
• The top layer consists of a mixture of resins with melamine or acrylic. The coating has a transparent color and protects the laminate from abrasion due to frequent mechanical impact.

Thanks to this composition, the main properties of the material are strength, wear resistance, as well as the creation of a heat and sound insulating layer.

Pros and cons of laminate finishing

Covering staircase structures with laminate has many advantages:

• The noise of footsteps on stairs is effectively suppressed. This is especially true in the presence of metal stairs;
• The aesthetics of the design is ensured. The products look similar to parquet. In addition, various decorative imitations allow you to select the most suitable slabs for your interior;
• Thermal insulation ensures ease of use of the stairs. This factor is especially relevant for structures made of cold materials in the idea of ​​concrete and metal;
• The material is fireproof. In case of accidental contact of the coating with a burning match, cigarette or hot iron, no burn marks remain on the surface of the product;
• Availability of finishing. The material has a low price.
• The product is environmentally friendly;
• Easy to care for coating. To clean the material, just wipe it with a slightly damp cloth.

But finishing the stairs with laminate has its drawbacks. The material is sensitive to high humidity. Under such conditions, the slabs begin to deform, crack and peel. Also, the installation of products must be carried out strictly on flat surface. Even small irregularities can lead to poor-quality installation of laminate flooring on the steps.

Criterias of choice

When choosing a material for finishing a flight of stairs in a house, you should pay attention to the technical purpose of the product and its class. At the same time, the class indicator indicates the wear resistance of the material. The second number in the product class marking indicates the thickness of the top lamination layer.

By purpose, laminate is divided into:

• Domestic. Class marking begins with the number 2. They have low impact resistance;
• Commercial. Class markings begin with the number 3. Products marked 32 and 33 have medium and high impact resistance, respectively.

Laminated boards marked 21 and 31 have low wear resistance. They can be used to finish stairs that are rarely used. The average service life of the material is 2-3 years. Products with strength classes 22 and 32 have an average level of wear resistance. They are designed for frequent use big amount of people. This coating will last about 4-5 years. Materials with classes 23 and 33 are among the most wear-resistant products. They are able to withstand constant active use of the surface by a large number of people. The service life of such material is 5-6 years.

When choosing a finish for a staircase, you should also pay attention to the appearance of the products and the texture of their surface. The material can have different colors. The color scheme of the laminate should be selected in accordance with the style and colors of the room in which the staircase is installed. It is important that the material does not merge with the flooring and wall decoration.

The slabs can be smooth or textured. Textured products imitate the relief of wood or other material and look very aesthetically pleasing. However, during operation, debris may accumulate in the recesses. Therefore, smooth slabs are more convenient to maintain.

Another important criterion when choosing a laminate is the slipperiness of its surface. To ensure safe use of the stairs, it is advisable to choose products with the lowest slip rates for finishing the steps.

Features and types of edge profiles

When finishing stairs with laminate, for decoration and protection from damage external corners steps, special overhead corners are used. These products may also be called moldings or edge trims. Installation of such a cladding part is carried out using glue or using self-tapping screws.

The edge or stair profile for laminate can be made from the following materials:

• Metal. Such products are used for mechanical protection of corners and as anti-slip pads;
• Tree. The product has a long service life and is even subject to partial repair;
• Plastic. This molding is characterized by its low cost and ease of installation. It is usually fixed with glue;
• Laminate. A specialized coating that completely matches the texture and color design with main slabs.

Installation of laminate edge profiles is carried out on a step screwed to the corner metallic profile. In this case, the molding is put on the profile, due to which the fixation points of the product become invisible.

How to finish a staircase with laminate

Finishing a staircase with laminate can easily be done with your own hands. But to produce high-quality finishing steps with laminate slabs, preparatory and installation work must be done in the following sequence:

1. Prepare all the tools necessary for work and Consumables.
2. Prepare the surface of the stairs for finishing.
3. Calculate required dimensions and the amount of material, and also, if necessary, cut it.
4. Finish the staircase steps with laminate.

After installing the laminate slabs on the staircase structure, the surface of the steps does not need to be additional processing or finishing.

Tools and materials

To finish a staircase in a private house with laminate, you will need the following tools and materials:

• Adhesive mixture marked “for laying parquet”;
• Jigsaw. The tool is necessary for cutting slabs. Despite the pliability of laminate, the use of other cutting devices is undesirable, since the cut may be uneven and the material will be damaged. Alternatively, a wood saw or grinder can be used;
• Corners, or edge profile, suitable in color and functional features;
• Sheets of plywood or cork roll. Will be used as a substrate for finishing material to provide increased sound insulation;
• A simple pencil and ruler. Will be used to apply markings to the surface of products;
• Metallic profile;
• Mallet;
• Roulette;
• Building level;
• Notched trowel;
• Laminate.

If you plan to install the corners to the steps using self-tapping screws, then these consumables will also be required, complete with a screwdriver or screwdriver.

Preparing the stairs

The principle of preparing the base before facing the steps decorative coating, depends on the material from which the stairs are made. Wooden and concrete steps must be treated with a primer 24 hours before starting work. deep penetration. However, before this, the structure must be thoroughly cleaned of debris. To prepare metal steps, simply wipe them down.

It is important to sand any existing unevenness on the steps. The surface can also be leveled with putty or a special self-leveling bulk mixture. The fastest and most effective way to level the steps is by gluing a plywood backing to them. It is worth considering that underlays are almost never installed on treads.

Just before the start finishing works The steps of the stairs are re-cleaned of debris.

Calculation and cutting of laminate

For convenient cutting of laminate from sheet thick paper or cardboard, a full-size tread and riser template is made. To do this, their length and width are measured and transferred to the prepared sheet. At the steps various sizes It is necessary to make separate templates.

Having made the templates, they are applied to the laminate and outlined with a pencil. After this, the material is trimmed according to the markings. When using different templates, the workpieces and the corresponding steps must be numbered so as not to be confused during installation.

Finishing

Decorating steps with laminate is carried out in several successive stages:

1. A layer of glue is applied to the surface of the riser using a notched trowel.
2. On top adhesive composition the corresponding workpiece is laid. In this case, the laminate must be strictly aligned along the edges of the riser, lightly tapped with a rubber mallet, and pressed down with some heavy object to ensure secure fixation.
3. The tread is coated with adhesive using a notched trowel.
4. A piece of laminate of a suitable size is tightly applied to the tread, leveled and fixed.
5. Using the same principle, the laminate trim decorating the staircase is fixed from the upper steps to the lower ones.

It takes about 24 hours for the adhesive to dry, during which time the ladder cannot be used. After this time, protective edge profiles can be installed on the corners of the steps. For fixing metal moldings, only fastening with self-tapping screws is suitable. Other types of decorative and protective elements can be mounted to the corners of steps using glue. After installation metal corners the ladder can be used immediately. Glue method fixation requires waiting another 24 hours before operating the structure.