Can tile be installed on stairs?

Yes, tile floors on stairs can be an attractive, sophisticated, and durable choice, but make sure you take the needed precautions. There will be a lot of foot traffic going up and down all day so the stairs can bear the weight and don't get slippery. Be sure to visit us when you are shopping for tile flooring in Wellington, FL.

Preparing the stairs

1. Apply cement backer boards to wooden stairs before tiling; they provide stabilization and act as a subfloor. Also, fill in any cracks or holes and sand if necessary.

2. While they don't have the same weight issues as wooden ones, concrete stairs must be flat, level, and dry. You can fill in cracks and gaps with a small cement/water mixture or some putty. Then, apply with a straight edge or leveler.

3. Choose textured tiles as they enhance traction, decreasing the possibility of slips and falls. Also, check the box for Coefficient of Friction (COF) and ensure it's at least .50 or higher.

4. Choose C4 tiles. This refers to class or category, a rating system developed by the Porcelain and Enamel Institute (PEI). The C4 category is best for heavily trafficked areas.

Porcelain: hard-wearing and beautiful

Porcelain, a type of ceramic, is made of clay, sand, and glass and is fired at higher temperatures; the result is an ultra-strong, heavier, and more dense tile ideal for busy areas, like the stairs guaranteed to undergo enormous everyday wear.

Available in countless colors and patterns, porcelain can be made to look like anything, including wood and stone. Wood and stone look tiles are trendy, with porcelain often preferred because of the large format/few seams.

Are you thinking of installing tile flooring on your stairs? Our professionals will guide you through the entire process, from selecting the best to providing superior installations. Come into the Floor Specialists showroom in Wellington, FL, for a free quote; we also service Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Boca Raton.