When decorating a home, one area that is frequently overlooked is the staircase. While most people think of surfaces in terms of walls and floors, which can be decorated with paint, wallpaper, carpet, timber, stone, laminate, porcelain, and tiles, staircases can also have a significant impact on the final appearance and feel of your interior. Why not renovate the hallway and install tiles for stairs that will create a warm welcome to your home?
While stairs are undoubtedly an essential and practical component of any two-story house, they may also be made to stand out with a stylish tiled surface. A sturdy, non-slip surface made possible by the installation of tiles for stairs can increase safety. They can improve the look of the staircase and are also simple to maintain and clean. Tiles can also act as a barrier against moisture, which is beneficial in situations where the stairs may be exposed to dampness or humidity. Overall, the installation of tiles for stairs can improve the room’s aesthetic and functionality alike.
It is ideal to tile steps from bottom to top to ensure that everything is perfectly aligned on the risers. It will save you a lot of time on the wet saw if you purchase particular tiles for the tread edges. Additionally, if you want better traction, choose a tile with some texture. It’s a project that any competent DIYer can complete over the course of a weekend, and there are several ways to make it easier. Continue reading this article to learn more.
Which Tiles are Good for Stairs?
For the installation of tiles for stairs, a variety of tile materials can be used — including rubber, ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles. But actually, the best choice will depend on the homeowner’s particular requirements and preferences. Thus, when making the choice, be sure to take into account elements like slip resistance, longevity, and ease of maintenance.
Porcelain tiles, though, are thought to perform best in these situations. This is actually the most recommended tile to install for your stairs at home. This is because of the material’s strength, durability, and propensity for longevity. For a unified effect, flooring in the hallway and downstairs area can be matched with any number of ornamental patterned designs, as well as timber and stone look-alikes.
How to Tile Stairs?
Although tiling stairs can be a difficult project, it is achievable by using the correct equipment and practicing the right methods.
Materials You Need
Before you start, gather all of your supplies and tools. More importantly, pick a time when nobody needs to go upstairs. Try to start it early in the morning before everyone else leaves for the day.
Of course, you’ll need tiles, as well as water, a spirit-level, thin-set mortar, a tile cutter, a bucket, grout floats, rubber hammers, notched trowels, safety gloves, and eye protection.
Measure
Start by measuring the steps to determine how many tiles you will need, and prevent the dreaded situation of running out of tiles before the task is finished. Measure the length and width, taking into account any vertical risers that may be present. To calculate the total area in square meters, multiply the total length by the whole width. This will then enable you to calculate the number of tiles you will require precisely.
If your stairs have an irregular shape, it is preferable to measure each location separately and then add the results to get an overall measurement for the entire set of stairs. It is advised to add an additional of at least 10% to your final estimates, as with any tiling project, to account for any inescapable breakages, cuts, or unavoidable wastage.
Prepare the Stairs
Make sure the area is level, dry, and clean after measuring the space to determine how many tiles are needed and purchasing your tiles. This will stop any fractures from forming once the tiles are installed. Additionally, make sure your surface is level. This is important because tiles laid on uneven surfaces are much more likely to crack, particularly in places with high foot traffic, like staircases.
With the help of a mortar and trowel, level off any uneven areas with a spirit level and prepare the surface for tiling. Experts advise placing backer boards on each step of a wooden staircase. After taping every junction, cover the boards with tile. The grout is more likely to crack if you tile over natural wood since wood can expand over time.
You might need to reinforce the steps themselves depending on the weight of your tiles; for assistance with this, you should consult an expert.
Apply Adhesive
When laying tiles for stairs, applying adhesive is a vital step since it helps hold the tiles firmly in place and keeps them from slipping or coming loose. In order to provide a level, smooth surface for the tiles, adhesive also helps in filling in any minor gaps or unevenness in the stairs. As a barrier between the subfloor and the tile, this material also prevents moisture from accessing the subfloor, which could otherwise result in mold growth or other problems.
Use a moist sponge to apply a few drops of water to the flooring of your staircase before applying the tile adhesive. However, be careful not to overload the surface with water, since this could prevent the adhesive from sticking. You can start the application process after adding the appropriate amount of water. Apply a layer of adhesive to the floor first, making a semicircle with the flat edge of a notched trowel to assist ensure an even and uniform layer. Cover a larger area than the tile itself to allow for any errors in judgment to be corrected.
When you have applied an even layer of adhesive, you may begin to use the comb side of the trowel to help ensure even application and strengthen the binding between the adhesive and the tile. In order to lay down a uniform coating on the steps, it is important to spread the adhesive evenly and smooth it out. This will make it simpler to grout the tiles later on and assist ensure that the tiles are level and flush with one another.
Laying the Tiles
To avoid delays and avoid the adhesive drying out before you are done, have your tiles ready, including those that need to be cut. Use the spirit level to ensure that all of the tiles are even and straight. For any uneven tiles, you can tap them gently with a rubber hammer. A forceful tap will crack the tiles, so be careful.
Use your trowel to apply glue to the back of the tiles and apply to the riser, placing the upper edge of the tile flush with the edge of the stair tread. Mark a middle point on each riser and work from the center outwards.
Apply the tiles to the stair tread next, aligning them flush with the edge of the tile on the riser. To ensure that the glue adheres properly, set the tile on a bed of adhesive, press down, and slide into place. After checking the level and flatness with a spirit level, place a tile spacer between each tile to guarantee uniform spacing.
Do not forget to wipe off any extra glue that may have gotten onto the tile surface and the area around the tile edges with a damp cloth.
Grouting
The grouting between the tiles can be done after the tiling is complete and the glue has dried. They will be kept stationary and will not move thanks to this. Use the grout float to press firmly into each joint and smooth the grout over the openings. When it has dried, use a moist cloth to remove any excess from the surface. After giving everything a full 24 hours to set, conclude by giving everything one last wet towel wipedown.
It is important to remember that the above steps are intended as basic guidelines and could change according to the kind of tile and adhesive used. It is usually advised to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations for a particular tile installation. It is preferable to engage an expert to complete the task if you are unsure of the procedure.
Key Takeaway
Although installing tiles for stairs may seem like a difficult process at first, with little preparation, the appropriate skills, and a keen eye for detail, you can do the task in your own home. By using the tips above, you will be able to tile your stairs with the least amount of hassle, giving you the customized staircase style you have always desired.