Finishing wooden staircase steps with laminate. Finishing stairs with laminate: technology for restoring concrete and wooden stairs. Finishing stairs with laminate: what is important to know

Floor lamination is a universal alternative to other types of flooring, as it can imitate any type of flooring and is also more durable. But, like all types floor coverings, laminate has its own installation subtleties. Despite this, laminate flooring is relatively easy to install, provided you have the the right tools and some time. Here are some easy-to-follow steps for installing laminate flooring on your stairs.

Steps

Preparing your floor

    Select laminated coating. Laminate flooring can be installed on stairs or anywhere else you might want to install wood flooring. The main issue with installing laminate flooring on stairs is their durability; stairs tend to experience more wear and tear than other surfaces in the home. Therefore, it is recommended to contact the supplier or manufacturer to order the most durable laminate.

    Leave the floors to acclimatize. Laminate flooring needs time to adjust to the temperature and humidity in your home before it is installed. This prevents the boards from warping, expanding or contracting. To allow your flooring to acclimate, remove the boards from the packaging and place them on an open surface where air can circulate. Leave them for 24 hours.

    Remove all carpets and boards. The next thing you will need to do is prepare your stairs for laying laminate. If you need to remove carpet, you can do it with pliers. Carpeting is usually adhered using liquid nails or paper clips. Liquid nails can be removed using a pry bar, and paper clips can be removed using a scraper.

    Remove any projections. Many stairs have pre-existing overhangs: where the bottom of the upper steps is visible from the bottom of the stairs. You will need to remove these before you apply the laminate. Do this in two ways:

    Cut the laminate into pieces. The next thing you need to do is cut the protective pieces of laminate to length for the treads and risers, as well as for the trim. For missteps, lay the boards across the step, making sure they fit snugly from right to left. You may need to trim the edges slightly to match the step. Most offenses will not be broad enough to cover the entire step. In this case, you will need to cut another board to fill the remaining surface:

    Place the risers in place. The next step is to install the risers, which are the vertical parts of the staircase. Pour three drops of wood glue onto the back of the risers (which you'll cut ahead of time) and press them into place, holding them firmly for a minute or two to allow the glue to soak in. This piece should fit snugly between the step below and the step above.

    • If you want to secure the riser higher, you can use a nail gun to secure the top of the slat in place without the nails showing at the edges.
  1. Install stair trim. Once you've installed the staircase and risers, you'll need to install the trim (this is the piece that sits at the top of the risers and protrudes slightly from the edge of the steps). To install the trim, apply a bead of construction adhesive to the base (this is better than attaching the trim yourself) and firmly press the tapered end covering the riser.

    Finish laminating the stairs. It's up to you whether you want to do all the treads and risers first, before installing the trim, or whether you want to completely finish one step before moving on to the next. Whatever method you use, make sure you take your time and install the laminate carefully. You have to do a good job if you want your coating to last a long time.

Finishing touches

    Fill the screw holes. Once all the laminate is in place, you will need to fill all the screw holes with putty. Prepare the putty according to the instructions, stirring it thoroughly. Use a plastic putty knife to fill the holes smoothly and neatly. Once you have filled all the holes in the trim strip, remove plastic tape, covering it.

    Clear the stairs. It is important to clean the stairs immediately to remove any excess putty as putty is almost impossible to remove once it has dried. It is also advisable for you to sweep away the sawdust and peel off the remaining tape from the cladding. Once you've cleaned the stairs, take a step back and admire your work!

    Leave the ladder overnight. Avoid using the ladder (for as long as possible) for 12 to 24 hours after finishing lamination. This time is enough for the glue to be absorbed and the floors to lay down well.

  • One tip for gluing is to place the board in place and immediately lift it up, if the amount of glue is enough to adhere the laminated board to the steps then you are gluing correctly.
  • If you think that glue is not good remedy for work, then try using nails to laminate the floor on the steps (base). But keep in mind that nails can damage the surface of the laminate. They may also void your warranty. Check the manufacturer's recommendations or call the installer to resolve the situation. If you decide to use nails, then use a pneumatic (automatic) nail gun. This will reduce the likelihood of the laminate boards splitting.

Laminate is one of the modern finishing materials used to make finishing coating floors Covering stairs with laminate allows you to get high-quality and inexpensive coating with a pattern that imitates valuable species tree. In addition, laminate can be laid on any base - concrete, wood and metal - which makes this a universal option, and the ease of installation allows even a novice home craftsman to finish the staircase with laminate with his own hands.

  • high resistance of the material surface to abrasion;
  • low cost of material;
  • ease of work;
  • long service life (from five to ten or more years);
  • does not require complex care (it is enough to periodically wipe the laminate with a slightly damp cloth);
  • environmentally friendly, not a source of chemical fumes;
  • By appearance difficult to distinguish from natural wood or stone.

Required materials and tools

If the owner has decided to build a laminate staircase himself, he will need a certain set of tools and materials.

Required materials:

  • adhesive mastic;
  • primer for processing concrete or metal surfaces;
  • leveling mixture for uneven surfaces made of concrete;
  • corner for laminate flooring for steps;
  • profile for installing the coating;
  • substrate;
  • plywood for leveling steps;
  • rubber gaskets;
  • screws, dowels;
  • laminate.

Selecting laminate based on markings.

Required tools:

  • electric jigsaw;
  • rubber spatula with large teeth;
  • roulette;
  • screwdriver;
  • pencil and ruler;
  • hacksaw;
  • sandpaper for processing metal surfaces.

Preparatory work

Particular attention should be paid to careful preparation load-bearing structure march, since a reliable foundation will be the key to trouble-free installation of lamellas.

Laminate flooring is laid on a leveled base, and therefore the surface must be prepared before starting work. The steps that are planned to be covered with laminate must not only have a flat surface, but also a strong structure. If it bends under load and changes its shape, then finishing material will quickly lose its appearance: cracks, chips and other deformations will appear. Therefore, before we start finishing works play should be checked and eliminated at each stage.

Also, before covering the stairs with laminate, the entire flight of stairs is restored and strengthened. The restoration process depends on the material from which the staircase is made.

For finishing concrete stairs laminate in some cases requires leveling the surface of the steps. To do this, formwork is used to achieve the same height and width of the steps, after which a leveling mixture is applied and allowed to sit for the time necessary to gain strength.

On final stage Before preparing the concrete surface, it is ground and treated with primers, which eliminate excess fines that interfere with the laying of the finishing material.

  • replace worn or defective steps and risers;
  • for getting same size steps, level them with plywood;

  • check the reliability of fasteners and joints, and, if necessary, strengthen questionable connections of parts flight of stairs self-tapping screws or bolts;
  • clean the surface of steps, risers and stringers from old finishing materials (varnish, paint);
  • the protruding parts of the steps are compared with the riser flush, so that later the parts of the laminate can be joined;
  • the cleaned wooden surface is treated with antiseptic and antifungal impregnations and then varnished;
  • All elements that cannot be covered with laminate are painted completely.

For metal surfaces, it is necessary to treat them with special primers that protect the material from rust.

Before starting work, the surface is cleaned of dirt and dust.

If necessary, a template is prepared for cutting the laminate flooring for the steps. It can be made from thin plywood or thick cardboard. This need arises when it is necessary to veneer winder steps complex shape or the steps of a spiral staircase.

Before purchasing a laminate board, you should calculate the amount of material, taking into account the trimming of part of the product when fitting on site. If the staircase is of a standard marching type, calculate the material required to finish one step and riser, and multiply it by the total number of steps.

Important! Before you start working with laminate, it needs to “acclimatize”. After the material has been delivered and placed at the work site, it needs to lie indoors for two days. It is desirable that the air temperature in this room be from 18 to 25 o C, and the humidity within 70%.

Cutting the laminate

Preparing laminate steps is not easy. To obtain the exact size, you should use stencils for each part, especially, as already mentioned, if you have to veneer a spiral-type staircase.

Using a jigsaw you can get an even cut, but you cannot achieve an ideal side surface without using a special guillotine. This unusual tool makes it possible to cut a laminate board strictly perpendicular to its long side. The result is a smooth edge without roughness or chips.

If decorating a staircase with laminate is done with subsequent closing of the seams with thresholds or corners, then it is unreasonable to make excessive demands on the quality of the cut. With this approach side surfaces covered with self-adhesive tape, repeating the pattern of the main coating. They perfectly mask small errors when cutting laminate.

Instructions

After execution preparatory work, begin the process of assembling the coating. The laminate installation technology consists of several main stages:

  1. Laying the underlayment.
  2. Preparing boards to size.
  3. Surface cladding of steps.
  4. Surface cladding of risers.
  5. Installation of the corner.

The use of a substrate is justified with equipment large areas. It is laid with a single carpet on a monolithic base, which allows for additional sound insulation and silent movement on the surface of the laminate. In addition, it prevents unwanted contact inside laminate boards with a poorly prepared base surface.

For stairs, the underlay is also laid as a single carpet, covering both steps and risers, but it should be noted that for stairs that are often used, the use of underlay can play a negative role. In places where the main load on the step appears, bedsores will appear over time, while the side parts of the step will retain their original thickness.

Cladding steps with laminate

The finished boards are laid on the surface of the step, pre-treated adhesive composition. If a profile is used, then first fix it, and the board for facing the steps is installed after fixing the riser. On wooden surfaces The laminate can be attached using self-tapping screws, followed by masking the caps with an overlay metal profile.


Assembly of steps from Incizo profile.

Finishing of risers

The next step is to install the risers. If the laminate is installed using a profile, the risers are installed up to the steps. They are attached to adhesive mastic, placing special rubber gaskets with a thickness equal to the thickness of the board, so that after the glue has dried, it is possible to place the step board under the riser lining.

Instructions for installing skirting boards on stairs

If the installation of risers and steps was carried out using self-tapping screws, a metal corner is installed at the fastening points, which masks the heads of the screws and reliably fixes the joints. When installing laminate on a profile, a special laminated overlay is attached to it - molding, which covers the joint.

Types and fastening of edge profiles

The listed steps allow you to understand how to finish a staircase with laminate, but for the full picture, you need to consider options for installing moldings or edge profiles that cover the edge of the step, masking the joint.

This part secures the finished step and protects the edge from rapid wear. In addition to its functional component, the molding has an aesthetic purpose and serves as a decoration for the flight of stairs and the entire interior.

Typically a metal edge profile with an L-shaped section is used. They are made of aluminum with various paints applied to gold, steel, bronze or wood.

Plastic moldings are cheaper, but are also designed to protect the junction of the step and riser. They come in a variety of colors, so choose the right option under the main coating can be done without any problems. Install plastic edge profiles on adhesive mastic.

Wooden thresholds are used to mask joints of complex configurations. They are perfect for laminate flooring that imitates wood structure; in addition, wooden thresholds can be maintained (sanded, varnished, puttied). The disadvantages of these products include their high cost.

Maximum structural strength of laminate steps can be achieved by using special metal profiles systems Quick Step. They are a metal L-shaped strip with external system guides for fixing the overlay strip, which plays the role of a corner and masks the joint.

The profile itself is attached using self-tapping screws to the base of the step and riser, and the laminate and the overlay strip are fixed with adhesive mastic, which makes it possible to obtain a strong and reliable connection.

Video on the topic


The staircase in a private house should be safe and comfortable for all family members. Railings should be installed high, with comfortable handrails. The distance between balusters should not exceed 15 cm. These simple rules must be followed - this is the key to functionality and safety.

But what about beauty? After all, the structure installed in the house can become original design solution which will fit perfectly into the interior of the room. For this purpose stair railings can be made from various materials, decorate them with carvings, forging, glass, chrome. You should also not forget about the steps; they are an integral part of the structure.

If laminate or parquet is laid on the floor of the house, then the steps of the stairs can easily be decorated with this material with your own hands.


Requirements for the finishing material of the stairs

    Safety. The laminate should have an anti-slip coating that will reduce the likelihood of falling down the stairs.

    Wear resistance. The material must have increased wear resistance, which will protect it from damage and visual surface defects during long-term use.

    Strength. These parameters are very relevant for the laminate used to decorate the steps of the stairs. The material must withstand heavy weight and significant loads.

Preparing various types of staircase steps before laying laminate flooring

Wooden steps

If the steps are slightly loose and creaky, you can further strengthen them with small screws. It is recommended to embed the heads of the fittings into the material and cover the top with wood putty.

If there is a metal protective profile attached to the edge of the steps, it must be dismantled.

It is advisable to cover all gaps between the boards of the steps with putty. This will prevent moisture from getting under the underlayment and laminate.

Concrete steps


If the concrete steps are smooth, without grooves or depressions, then you can skip the preparation stage. If the steps have pronounced defects, preliminary repairs cannot be avoided.


If the differences are not too high, you can use mixtures called self-leveling to level the surface. Working with these mixtures is not difficult for beginners: you just need to distribute the solution over the surface. When it dries, it evens out the surface.

It's another matter if the recesses are large enough. To level the steps, it is necessary to construct formwork. Suitable for these purposes regular plywood, thickness 3-4 mm. Attach the plywood to the concrete with dowels; the upper edge of the formwork should coincide with the level of the step. Before pouring the mixture, the surface to be leveled must be clean and free of debris.



Major repairs of steps

It is advisable to treat the concrete primer mixture, this will improve the adhesion between materials.

The wet mixture must be carefully leveled and the surface level must be checked using a level. The formwork is removed from the steps after the leveling mixture has completely dried.

After leveling the steps, it is recommended to lay plywood. This requires cutting required quantity blanks that completely match the size of the steps. The plywood is attached using anchors drilled into the concrete. The steps can also be covered in the same way. The subsequent installation of the laminate will be much easier and more convenient than laying the cladding on bare concrete.

Selecting a laminate based on characteristics

Laminate used for floor finishing is divided into classes, depending on purpose and application. Material with a low class - from 21 to 28 is intended for “unloaded” and rarely visited rooms and is characterized by low wear resistance and strength. It is most often used for finishing residential premises. The cost of such material is also not too high.


Commercial coatings - laminate, having a class from 30 to 34, is designed for intensive loads. These materials are characterized by increased impact resistance, moisture resistance, and sound insulation.


It is recommended to use a laminate with a class of at least 31-32 for cladding the stairs in the house. This material is designed for 12 years of intensive use in in public places. It will last twice as long in your home without changing its quality, reliability or appearance.

The simplest process for covering stair steps with laminate


Materials and tools for cladding.

  1. Hammer with wooden head.

    Electric hand jigsaw.

    Limiters.

    The underlayment is laminate flooring.

    Metal corners.

    Self-tapping screws for fastening the material.

The modern choice of laminate varies not only in appearance and technical specifications. Some manufacturers produce material in different lengths and widths. It is advisable to purchase a laminate of such a width that it completely covers the entire step without additional extensions. Or you can purchase narrow material and lay two boards at a time on the step, in a locking coupling.

First stage. Installation of laminate flooring begins with laying the underlay. It is a sound-proofing and moisture-proof material, and the substrate also plays the role of a kind of buffer that prevents the boards from deforming under heavy loads. The underlay is laid as a single carpet, covering the steps and risers.


The second stage is cutting the laminate for right size. The cut boards are laid on the step, then at the very edges they are attached with screws to the plywood or wooden base stairs.



It is worth knowing that you cannot cut all the material at once; for each step you need to carry out a separate cutting operation with precise measurements.

The third stage is finishing the risers. The width and length of the gap between the steps are also measured, and the laminate boards are cut to the required size. The width of a step does not always coincide with its height, so it is very likely that you will have to cut the board lengthwise. Then the material along the edges is attached with self-tapping screws to the base of the stairs. It is advisable to recess the caps of fastening fittings into the material; subsequently they will disappear behind the metal corners.


Subsequent steps are faced in the same way until the staircase acquires a new attractive appearance.

The fourth stage - installation metal corner on the edges of the steps and on the sides, under the railings. The profile is also cut into pieces of the required size and screwed using self-tapping screws to the laid laminate. This hides the seams and further improves the fastening of the laminate.


Laying laminate using special profiles

For these purposes, it is necessary to purchase special profiles that have an invisible aluminum base, which is laid under the laminate. The visible base of the profile protects the edge of the step from abrasion and can be made in the form of a corrugated anti-slip surface. Designed visible surface profile in the same tone with the laminate.

Installing laminate flooring on steps using this profile is very simple. The profile is attached with an aluminum part to the base and side parts of the step. The laminate is cut into pieces of the required size and glued to the base of the step. With the second, removable part of the profile, the step is fixed and shaped. The laminate is attached between the steps in the same way.

A special profile for installing steps greatly facilitates the cladding process, especially if the work is performed by a beginner.

Video - Finishing steps with Egger laminate

Video - Do-it-yourself laminate staircase finishing

The staircase in a private house should be safe and comfortable for all family members. Railings should be installed high, with comfortable handrails. The distance between balusters should not exceed 15 cm. These simple rules must be followed - this is the key to functionality and safety.

But what about beauty? After all, a structure installed in a house can become an original design solution that fits perfectly into the interior of the room. For this purpose, stair railings can be made from various materials, decorated with carvings, forging, glass, and chrome. You should also not forget about the steps; they are an integral part of the structure.

If laminate or parquet is laid on the floor of the house, then the steps of the stairs can easily be decorated with this material with your own hands.

    Safety. The laminate should have an anti-slip coating that will reduce the likelihood of falling down the stairs.

    Wear resistance. The material must have increased wear resistance, which will protect it from damage and visual surface defects during long-term use.

    Strength. These parameters are very relevant for the laminate used to decorate the steps of the stairs. The material must withstand heavy weight and significant loads.

Preparing various types of staircase steps before laying laminate flooring

Wooden steps

If the steps are slightly loose and creaky, you can further strengthen them with small screws. It is recommended to embed the heads of the fittings into the material and cover the top with wood putty.

If there is a metal protective profile attached to the edge of the steps, it must be dismantled.

It is advisable to cover all gaps between the boards of the steps with putty. This will prevent moisture from getting under the underlayment and laminate.

Concrete steps

If the concrete steps are smooth, without grooves or depressions, then you can skip the preparation stage. If the steps have pronounced defects, preliminary repairs cannot be avoided.

If the differences are not too high, you can use mixtures called self-leveling to level the surface. Working with these mixtures is not difficult for beginners: you just need to distribute the solution over the surface. When it dries, it evens out the surface.

It's another matter if the recesses are large enough. To level the steps, it is necessary to construct formwork. For these purposes, ordinary plywood, 3-4 mm thick, is suitable. Attach the plywood to the concrete with dowels; the upper edge of the formwork should coincide with the level of the step. Before pouring the mixture, the surface to be leveled must be clean and free of debris.

Major repairs of steps

It is advisable to treat the concrete with a primer mixture, this will improve the adhesion between the materials.

The wet mixture must be carefully leveled and the surface level must be checked using a level. The formwork is removed from the steps after the leveling mixture has completely dried.

After leveling the steps, it is recommended to lay plywood. To do this, you need to cut the required number of blanks that completely match the size of the steps. The plywood is attached using anchors drilled into the concrete. The steps can also be covered in the same way. The subsequent installation of the laminate will be much easier and more convenient than laying the cladding on bare concrete.

Selecting a laminate based on characteristics

Laminate used for floor finishing is divided into classes, depending on purpose and application. Material with a low class - from 21 to 28 is intended for “unloaded” and rarely visited rooms and is characterized by low wear resistance and strength. It is most often used for finishing residential premises. The cost of such material is also not too high.

Commercial coatings - laminate, rated 30 to 34, is designed for heavy-duty use. These materials are characterized by increased impact resistance, moisture resistance, and sound insulation.

It is recommended to use a laminate with a class of at least 31-32 for cladding the stairs in the house. This material is designed to last 12 years of intensive use in public places. It will last twice as long in your home without changing its quality, reliability or appearance.

The simplest process for covering stair steps with laminate

Materials and tools for cladding.

  1. Hammer with wooden head.

    Electric hand jigsaw.

    Limiters.

    The underlayment is laminate flooring.

    Metal corners.

    Self-tapping screws for fastening the material.

The modern choice of laminate varies not only in external and technical characteristics. Some manufacturers produce material in different lengths and widths. It is advisable to purchase a laminate of such a width that it completely covers the entire step without additional extensions. Or you can purchase narrow material and lay two boards at a time on the step, in a locking coupling.

First stage. Installation of laminate flooring begins with laying the underlay. It is a soundproofing and moisture-proof material, and the substrate also plays the role of a kind of buffer that prevents the boards from deforming under heavy loads. The underlay is laid as a single carpet, covering the steps and risers.

The second stage is cutting the laminate to the desired size. The cut boards are laid on the step, then at the very edges they are attached with self-tapping screws to the plywood or wooden base of the stairs.

It is worth knowing that you cannot cut all the material at once; for each step you need to carry out a separate cutting operation with precise measurements.

The third stage is finishing the risers. The width and length of the gap between the steps are also measured, and the laminate boards are cut to the required size. The width of a step does not always coincide with its height, so it is very likely that you will have to cut the board lengthwise. Then the material along the edges is attached with self-tapping screws to the base of the stairs. It is advisable to recess the caps of fastening fittings into the material; subsequently they will disappear behind the metal corners.

Subsequent steps are faced in the same way until the staircase acquires a new attractive appearance.

The fourth stage is the installation of a metal corner on the edges of the steps and on the sides, under the railings. The profile is also cut into pieces of the required size and screwed using self-tapping screws to the laid laminate. This hides the seams and further improves the fastening of the laminate.

Laying laminate using special profiles

For these purposes, it is necessary to purchase special profiles that have an invisible aluminum base, which is laid under the laminate. The visible base of the profile protects the edge of the step from abrasion and can be made in the form of a corrugated anti-slip surface. The visible surface of the profile is designed in the same tone as the laminate.

Installing laminate flooring on steps using this profile is very simple. The profile is attached with an aluminum part to the base and side parts of the step. The laminate is cut into pieces of the required size and glued to the base of the step. With the second, removable part of the profile, the step is fixed and shaped. The laminate is attached between the steps in the same way.

A special profile for installing steps greatly facilitates the cladding process, especially if the work is performed by a beginner.

Video - Finishing stairs with laminate with profile

Video - Do-it-yourself laminate staircase finishing

Video - Finishing stairs with laminate

The interfloor staircase in the house should not only fulfill its intended purpose, guaranteeing safe movement between floors, but also complement the aesthetic appearance overall design premises. 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

A staircase finished with laminate will become the final element in the design of the room

  1. In appearance, laminate is difficult to distinguish from natural wood, and various types of designs perfectly imitate wood and even materials such as marble or granite.
  2. Excellent weathering physical exercise and is not subject to abrasion or pressure. It does not leave dents or scratches from heavy objects.
  3. Resistant to high temperatures and has decent fire resistance.
  4. It does not require special care. It does not need to be painted, polished or sanded from time to time. All maintenance consists of wiping with a damp cloth.
  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 from fiberboard high density, 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.

For concrete and metal steps The plywood is fixed level. To do this, you need to cut the blanks according 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

Preparing the laminate

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. 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.

What are edge profiles?

  1. Metal thresholds in the shape of a corner. They decorate and protect the edges of steps from damage, and also have a corrugated surface that provides an anti-slip effect.
  2. Thresholds made of plastic. Perform the same functions as metal ones. They differ from other moldings at a low price. They are different color shades. Attached with glue.
  3. Wooden thresholds. They are perfect for laminate flooring, have a fairly long service life, and are amenable to minor repairs (grinding, varnishing). Fastened with self-tapping screws, bolts or glue.
  4. 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 reverse side 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 one flooring traditionally - castle to castle. 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.

Share