Flooring for stairs – which one to choose?

Non-slip flooring for stairs – attractive design and safety

When choosing the flooring for stairs, the anti-slip rating is an extremely important parameter to consider. Safety on the stairs is essential, so it is worth taking proper care of it, especially in the case of children or elderly people. When stairs are stable, every household member will feel confident and safe. In this case, we encourage you to choose vinyl flooring, whose surface is coated with vinyl and has the right texture, ensuring slip resistance and durability. The nature of vinyl flooring gives the floor a rubbery feel, making it an excellent choice for heavily used spaces. More importantly, vinyl flooring has an attractive design, and its texture resembles natural wood. Flooring on the stairs, together with a non-slip surface, allows you to enjoy the beauty, warmth and comfort of the finish. It is also worth knowing that the flooring with a thicker layer means greater resistance to abrasion and moisture.

Will the flooring work well on stairs?

Laminate flooring has deeply embossed surfaces that make all the pores, knots and cracks visible, thus adding authenticity and uniqueness to it. Its structure resembles wood, which is characterised by extraordinary elegance, and that is why it is an excellent choice for homes furnished in a traditional way. Laminate flooring will also work well as a finishing element of stairs in Scandinavian style interiors, where wooden accessories dominate. More importantly, the wear layer of the flooring is covered with laminate, which allows for more comfortable use and easier cleaning. Just sweep the stairs and wipe with a slightly damp mop to make them clean and shiny. Stairs are a heavily used area, so it is worth considering the right choice of the flooring beforehand. Laminate flooring is characterised by a stable surface and high resistance to scratches, which is why it is worth considering this covering when renovating your stairs.

Water-resistant flooring – is it a good choice for stairs?

Without a doubt, water-resistant laminate flooring is also a good choice for stairs. It resembles classic flooring in appearance, but has an additional layer that provides greater resistance to water and moisture. This type of flooring can be installed anywhere. It is characterised by its waterproof properties, which will undoubtedly also work well on stairs. There are two ways to make the flooring water-resistant. The first involves applying an impregnating agent to the surface of the flooring, while the second allows the use of thin strips that effectively seal the joints between the planks. This also enhances the comfort of use and provides an extra layer of protection, so that the flooring maintains its original appearance for longer.

What to pay attention to when choosing the flooring for stairs?

Flooring is very popular not only as a floor finishing element in the living room, bedroom or corridor, but also as an alternative to tiles in the bathroom or kitchen. It has a very versatile use, as it is more and more often being chosen for stairs instead of boards. It is important to make the right choice in order to be able to enjoy using it for many years. During the purchase, you need to pay attention not only to the price, but also to other parameters, such as:

• abrasion class – it informs about the intensity of use. Among the six classes, which range from AC1 to AC6, the lowest are for flats and low-use areas. The highest classes, on the other hand, are used in rooms with heavy traffic. With the abrasion class, the durability of the floor and stairs can be determined. Stairs should be laid with a medium class;
• thickness – is usually 8 mm, but you can find the flooring with a thickness of 6 to 15 mm. Thicker flooring has greater stability and mechanical resistance, but it is worth knowing that this also translates significantly into its price;
• structure – the flooring can be smooth, but it is not uncommon for its appearance to resemble natural wood with grain and knots. However, the more complex the structure of the flooring, the higher its cost;
• colour – the flooring is available in a variety of colours and shades. It can be light or dark colours and the choice depends on the design of the room;
• slip resistance of the flooring – when choosing the flooring for stairs, it is worth considering this aspect. Safety on the stairs is essential, especially if there are young children or elderly people in the house. The surface should effectively protect against slipping.

How to lay the flooring on stairs?

The flooring can be safely laid on concrete and wooden structures as well as on reinforced concrete stairs. Both laminate and vinyl flooring is suitable for this. Stairs provide communication between floors and are heavily used, so it is worth using the highest quality flooring to finish them. In addition, it is also important to install the flooring correctly so that it is functional and presentable.

Laying the flooring on the stairs is within the capabilities of the average DIY enthusiast. The installation can also be carried out by yourself, but it is advisable to prepare for it properly. First, prepare the elements so that they have the right size by cutting them to the desired length and width. However, before proceeding with the installation, you will need to cover each step with matching underlay. Straight single-flight stairs that are not open can be dealt with most easily. In the case of winder stairs, you need to lay the covering on several winder steps.