How to cover a concrete staircase on the street? Tips from professional installers

When completing construction and renovation work in a country house, special attention should be paid to finishing the porch. After all, it is the calling card of the house, and it is from its appearance that guests will get an impression of the residents, their status, and tastes.

When finishing the porch, it is important to take into account many different factors: wear resistance and durability of building materials, their resistance to negative factors, beautiful appearance. The main thing is that the porch is in complete harmony with the house and follows the same stylistic direction.

How to veneer a concrete porch yourself

How to cover a porch with your own hands to make it as comfortable to use as possible? Various finishing materials are suitable for this: porcelain stoneware, clinker, terrace boards. Each individual option has its own advantages.

How can you decorate the steps and landing inside and outside?

The steps inside and outside the porch can be finished with different materials (clinker, porcelain stoneware, boards). When choosing them, it is easy for owners of country houses to get confused. Therefore, we will take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of each individual option, so that it is easier for you to make a decision on how to decorate the porch of a private house from the outside.

What is C3 technology

When creating their unique technology, the company’s specialists, first of all, took into account the main drawback of all tiles, as mentioned above. They created facing linings for the steps, made monolithically and having an L-shape. The tread and riser are combined here, and the product itself is molded in special forms. Moreover, the composition of the mixture (fiber-reinforced concrete) is also valued, and this is high-quality cement and granite-quartz chips with dye, but without adding sand.

This combination of components makes it possible to obtain the most durable products, and these are also C3 slabs and ready-made stairs on a metal base with fiber-reinforced concrete stringers. The brand strength of such concrete staircase coatings in the M1200 house is comparable, perhaps, to naturally durable granite. The technology has other advantages:

• High frost resistance of F500, and this despite the fact that the ideal clinker in this regard can withstand only 300 thermal cycles instead of 500 or more for products made using C3 technology.
• Low water absorption W12, which is also something that no product from the list of classic cladding can boast of.
• Low abrasion with a maximum index of I-6.
• Simple installation with the ability to do the installation work yourself, using the step-by-step instructions, the video of which is below.

• Resistance to mechanical stress.
• Durability, such covering of concrete stairs lasts 20-30 years or more, although the products are ideal for other bases.
• Impeccable design with a choice of one of three colors and surface pattern options.

By the way, it’s worth talking separately about the design of products made using C3 technology. Many will think that this is a design move, and this is partly true, because this type of stair covering has a memorable and unique appearance. But the technologists cared, first of all, about the safety of the structures, and they do not slip in any weather, therefore they are recommended for use in difficult climatic conditions. Due to this very pattern, it was possible to obtain a unique anti-slip indicator of R13 (for not the most slippery clinker, this is a maximum of R11). It complies with the requirements of SP 59.13330.2016 “Accessibility of buildings and structures for people with limited mobility”, therefore it can even be used to construct ramps for wheelchair users.

What to consider when choosing a material

When choosing finishes for the porch, attention is paid to their technical characteristics. It is important to take into account here that this structure is located on the street, therefore, it is exposed to negative factors (direct sunlight, rain, winds, frost). In addition, these materials will experience various mechanical loads every day.

So, the finishing of the porch should be:

• wear-resistant;
• resistance to sudden changes in temperature and high humidity;
• resistant to acids and various chemicals;
• invulnerable to rodents;
• fireproof;
• resistant to fading under direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays;
• resistant to mechanical loads and shocks;
• aesthetic.

Attention: since the porch is a place that experiences heavy loads, the material for its cladding must be resistant to scratches, chips and other defects.

Where to buy overhead treads and risers for finishing external concrete stairs?

The LOBAS company produces overhead treads and risers from concrete and supplies finished products not only within the region, but also to the most remote regions of Russia and even to the CIS countries. All products are manufactured in accordance with current GOST and SP standards and undergo quality control in independent laboratories.

You can select the product you are interested in from the catalog of overhead steps on our official website.

Overhead concrete treads and risers have the following performance characteristics:

• increased strength and wear resistance;
• low abrasion coefficient;
• fire resistance;
• frost resistance of at least 300 cycles;
• low hygroscopicity;
• increased resistance to chemically aggressive environments, rot and mold;
• long service life;
• environmental friendliness
• low operating costs.

By purchasing overhead steps and risers from us, you receive high-quality products that meet all the stated characteristics. We also produce products according to individual parameters: geometry, color, size, texture. LOBAS company managers are always ready to answer all your questions regarding the creation of overhead steps and risers at any production stage: from drawings to shipment of finished products. Free phone number to contact employees. We will be happy to help you choose the best option for cladding the steps of the porch, taking into account the individuality of the order and your preferences.

The use of reinforced concrete overhead steps and risers as a covering material for an outdoor staircase is the most rational means for comfortable movement along the porch and creating a protective environment and an aesthetically attractive appearance among other materials. Possessing all the appropriate performance characteristics, an enviable variety of colors and textures and low cost, concrete products will protect the stairs from adverse climatic influences and will add a certain charm to the decorative composition of the house and the surrounding area.

Options for cladding materials

The construction market offers a huge range of options for finishing porch steps. Natural stone is considered the most durable and reliable. Clinker tiles, porcelain tiles, and paving slabs are also suitable.

Attention: when finishing the facade of a building with brick or concrete, it is better to finish the porch with tiles.

Is it possible to line the steps with natural stone?

Facing the porch with natural stone is an ideal option. In construction stores you can buy stone with any type of surface:

• polished _ They have smooth surfaces with a pleasant mirror gloss;
• rough . The safest to use. But the sawn texture spoils the natural pattern, and dirt gets clogged into the pores of the material, which complicates the process of caring for the steps;
• polished _ The most in demand. Usually their surface is matte and easy to maintain;
• heat treated . Reliable and durable. They do not have pores into which dust and dirt get clogged.

Attention: when finishing the porch with stone, it is recommended to engrave special grooves on it to ensure adhesion of the sole of the shoe to the surface.

As for the choice of texture and color scheme, home owners here rely on their personal wishes. According to the advice of experts, preference should be given to natural textures and natural patterns.

Coating of concrete stairs: what to choose

As we have already said, reinforced concrete steps will last a long time, but only if there is a high-quality coating for concrete stairs. You can also use different materials for this. Some of them are “classics”, but there are also those that are considered quite young, but are not inferior, and even superior in quality, to traditional materials. Among them:

• Ceramic tiles are a fairly durable material, so ceramics can often be seen even in public areas. Just as often, however, damaged ceramic steps are found, since in places with heavy traffic this option is controversial, although outwardly the ceramic tiles look decent. It also often slips, so the choice must be made wisely, thinking about the possible consequences of falling from the stairs.

• Paving slabs. Originally created for arranging sidewalks and garden paths, concrete tiles have found their application in finishing the steps of stairs. The appearance of such stairs is not for everybody, and as for their strength, it is also questionable, so we would not recommend this option, especially when it comes to street stairs in front of public buildings.
• Porcelain tiles. To produce this material, different types of clay are used (most often the best options are chosen), quartz sand, feldspar and various additives that improve the quality characteristics of the material. The clay is fired at very high temperatures up to +1300℃, and the products are first passed through a press operating with a force of 400-500 kg/cm2. This technology makes it possible to obtain a durable and visually attractive material, but it is difficult to call it durable, and later you will understand why.
• Clinker tiles, which are in great demand today, are used, among other things, for cladding stairs. It has fairly high frost resistance and low water permeability; this material is quite strong and dense, but it is also not famous for its durability, even despite the interesting solution in the form of a hood protruding above the riser.
• Granite and marble slabs are a naturally durable material, but expensive and also not the most durable.

It remains to be seen why all of the listed materials used for finishing stairs are not durable. This is due to the fact that they all have a design with separate treads and risers (even clinker with its own capinos). Installers claim that this is the most problematic place of any steps, since it is at the junction of these elements of the stepped structure that the maximum mechanical impact occurs, and destructive moisture tends to flow into the space between them. It was this drawback that Tverskaya specialists took into account, who developed a unique technology for cladding stairs C3. Enterprise managers talk about it and its advantages.

How to veneer a concrete porch with your own hands

Regardless of what finishing coating is used, the finishing of a concrete porch is carried out according to the same scheme: an adhesive composition is applied to the surface and the selected material is applied to it. In this case, it is necessary to take into account:

• the surface to be treated must be dry, smooth and clean;
• concrete must be primed before laying;
• cement or glue is applied to the concrete base;
• when finishing a staircase, first glue the riser and then the tread;
• The lining of the side part of the structure is carried out from bottom to top.

Attention: when facing a concrete porch, it is important to level the surface in advance. The screed will not lie on the concrete, so it is recommended to first nail the metal mesh and then level it.

Methods for finishing end joints

When finishing the porch, special attention is paid to all edges and outer corners. The appearance of the structure will depend on the quality of the ends. You can design end joints in different ways:

• with overhang . A simple finishing option when the front steps are laid with a slight overhang over the edge. The front edge in this case is glazed. Suitable for laying clinker and natural stone;
• with a safe edge . In this option, relief slabs are mounted along the edges of the treads with a small overhang.

Attention: to improve decorative qualities, when finishing the porch it is better to use slabs with a rounded front edge.

Why concrete stairs are better

Concrete structures are used very actively in construction, but if we are talking about such loaded structures as foundations, monolithic walls or flights of stairs, then we are talking about reinforced concrete. Concrete reinforced with reinforcement is capable of withstanding serious weight loads, while this material is sufficiently plastic, which allows the manufacture of structures of different shapes and sizes. Practice shows that reinforced concrete stairs, if there is sufficient space, can be installed inside the house, and in the case of a porch, concrete is simply irreplaceable.

Street stairs are subject to numerous harmful influences during operation, so they must be durable, and nothing better than concrete has yet been invented.

It should be remembered that uncoated concrete will not last long, since this material is hygroscopic, and therefore deteriorates over time under the influence of moisture.

To construct a porch, you can, of course, use other materials, such as wood, metal and natural stone (granite and marble). As for wood, this is a good solution for private houses where there is no heavy traffic; metal stairs treated with anti-corrosion compounds last a long time, but they are noisy, so they are most often used to organize movement between floors in industrial buildings and production facilities. As for granite and marble slabs, this is an ideal solution for those who have extra money; besides, marble, if the material is chosen incorrectly, slips, causing a lot of inconvenience. Concrete is quite durable and inexpensive.

What conditions must be observed for high-quality installation?

In order to properly lay any finishing coating on the porch you must:

• level all surfaces, check for bulges, cracks, and pits;
• prime the base with antibacterial impregnations;
• so that the finishing lays in an even layer, before installation, it is recommended to spread the material over the surface and, if necessary, adjust it to size;
• start laying the facing material from the top platform and move towards the door;
• first lay out the horizontal steps, and then the vertical risers;
• start grouting the joints one day after facing.

Important : to prevent precipitation from accumulating on the steps, they should be done at a slight inclination (1-2 degrees).

As you can see, every owner can make the porch of a country house practical and beautiful. The main thing is to choose the right finishing materials, familiarize yourself with the main stages of work, prepare consumables and tools, and stock up on free time.

Site preparation and foundation

When the site is completely cleared of debris, bushes, turf or other vegetation, a pit is prepared for the foundation. If the strength of the soil is beyond doubt, the depth is from thirty centimeters. If the soil is questionable, then the depth is increased.

In order not to deviate from the plans and calculations, the site for the foundation pit is marked out in the office, and only after that the soil is removed.