4 Types of Coverings for Concrete Stairs

When looking to cover your concrete stairs, you will be presented with quite a few options. Some are easier to install; and others require a little more preparation before you can change the look of your staircase.

The choice of materials can vary anywhere from various types of wood, carpet, tile or rock sheeting. It all depends on where your concrete stairs are, and your personal tastes in decorating. However you decide to cover your stairs, most options are a fantastic DIY project for handymen of all skill levels.

1. Wood

Choosing wood to cover your concrete stairs is an excellent choice when your staircase is indoors. Even if it is leading in to a basement, or up to the second story of your home, wood is a clean, stylish and warm choice of material. You can buy pre-cut kits at your local hardware store. However, if you would like a more challenging DIY project, start from scratch with the hardwood of your choice. You can stain it after you have installed the staircase, to make sure it is sealed and matches your home decor.

2. Tiles

Tiling your concrete stairs is a more artful choice, and an excellent option for stairs that are in a common area of the home. Ideal if the stairs lead from outside into your home, or from your garage into your home, even from your home into a utilitarian space, such as your basement & laundry room. You can cut, lay or mix the tiles. Keep it simple with a basic tile and tiling style, or create a durable, waterproof, scuff-free piece of art. All you need to do is decide what you want the final result to be.

3. Carpet

Carpeting is a classic and simple way to cover your concrete stairs. You can visit  your local carpet supply depot, or hardware store, and choose the carpet you would like to lay. Carpet will need to be installed after a liner has gone over the raw concrete stairs. Other cosmetic options you have are brass rods that keep the carpet in place. You also have the option to lay runner carpet over the wooden stairs you have installed. Or lay carpet on the horizontal part of each stair, and a wood panel on the vertical parts of the stair.

4. Natural Stone

If you are covering outdoor concrete tiles, or you enjoy a more rustic style in your home, slate tiles are a wonderful alternative to ceramic tiles or wood. As with many of the other options, you can buy the slate pre-cut from your local hardware store, or from a tile and flooring specialty store. To make your DIY project more challenging, you can buy small natural slabs of slate, and cut it at home with a wet saw. Slate is definitely the most durable of all the materials you can use, and the trickiest technique to perfect. Your results though, are definitely worth the effort put in.

The quality of the finished product, when covering concrete stairs, is completely up to you, and your dedication to the project. Some of the key points to keep in mind, when choosing your materials, are locations of the stairs, exposure to elements and aesthetics.