Best staircase cladding ideas

A staircase is not just a structural and functional essential in a home, it is also a decorative feature that can add character to a space. When choosing the right flooring, we also need to think about if the material can also be used on our staircase to ensure that it suits the style of the rest of the home.

There are several factors to consider when choosing the cladding for our staircase: the flooring on the levels connected by the staircase, the banister material, the use of staircase, if they are small children or elderly people living in the house who may be prone to falling, if the staircase is exposed to extreme temperatures, and, if outdoors, if it may be affected by rainfall. These are all important points to bear in mind when selecting our material.

We also need to think about the type of staircase that we are going to clad, as there are different options:

• Straight staircase: the direction of the steps is straight, and there may be one or more flights of stairs. 
• Curved staircase: the steps go round and up, such as spiral or winding staircases.
• Combined staircase: these are formed of both straight and curved flights of stairs.
• Constructed staircase: these are traditional flights of stairs which are cladded with a concrete base.
• Floating stairs: the steps appear to be floating as they are on a hidden platform. These steps can be made from different materials, such as Dekton.

Types of indoor staircase cladding

As ever, there is a wide range of options available on the market for indoor staircase cladding: wood, granite, marble, steel, carpet, vinyl, tiles… 

Wood and natural stone, such as marble or granite, are the most commonly used materials, however, they do have some drawbacks, such as the upkeep that wood requires or the risk of slipping posed by marble staircases.

How to care for wood cladded staircases

Wood adds a touch of cosiness and class to any space, and that is why it is one of the most commonly selected materials in family homes.

However, wood also needs quite a lot of care and maintenance to ensure it has a long lifespan and to prevent it from suffering too much wear and tear over time.

Here are some tips for looking after a wooden staircase:

• Regularly clean the steps, bannisters and handrails, to prevent the build-up of dirt or dust. 
• Avoid using too much water when cleaning wooden staircases: make sure to wring out the mop very well or use a special type of mop.
• Use specific cleaning products or waxes for wooden floors: natural waxes, linseed oil, water, and neutral soaps…
• Look after the edges of the steps, sand them down whenever wear and tear starts to appear and regularly paint or varnish them.
• Keep touching up the colour as it starts to deteriorate over time.
• Repair any damaged steps, replacing them in the case of floating staircases or repairing them if standard staircases.

The best cladding for non-slip staircases

Another problem that can occur when choosing a material for our staircase is that we choose one that is too slippery. For example, a freshly varnished floor or polished natural stone can be dangerous and prone to slipping.

If there are children, pets, or elderly people living in the house we want to be sure about the safety and durability of our staircase, as well as the other cladding in the house. In this regard we may sometimes have to apply non-slip strips to staircases made from these materials to prevent slipping, however this can affect their overall look.

Our best option to prevent these types of issues is Dekton Grip+, a non-slip treatment for Dekton. It is ideal for large, classy, and high traffic areas. Dekton Grip+  is available in more than 16 colours and has more non-slip properties than are required by the regulations. 

The best cladding solutions for old staircases

Do you need to clad an old staircase which has suffered from some wear and tear? Maybe a granite staircase which has lost some of its shine through the use of different cleaning products?

There are different materials which can help you bring a staircase back to life, giving them a fresh and modern upgrade.

Vinyl is the cheapest option and also offers countless possibilities. It is ideal if you have a small budget, but it is less durable than other materials, and for a high traffic area it may not be the best option.

Marble is a firm favourite in our country. It is very practical for staircase cladding because it is resistant, elegant, and versatile due to the wide variety of colours and grains available. However, due to its porosity it can be susceptible to stains and surface damage.

Dekton, the best option to clad an old staircase. The wide range of designs and the advanced technical features such as high scratch and impact resistance, plus the possibility of being able to use the Grip+ non-slip treatment on it, makes this material the perfect choice for these types of projects. Additionally, the range of different thicknesses means that the material itself is often lighter while still delivering the same solidity.

Dekton for staircase cladding

A few technical requirements need to be taken into consideration when cladding a staircase with Dekton. Dekton is used on staircases the same way as it is used on floors:

• The material on which it is going to be fitted must be solid, there cannot be any loose slabs.
• The surface must be perfectly flat.
• Dekton cannot be applied directly onto moving materials such as wood, but can be applied to others such as stone, concrete, or slabs.