Why Choose Tile for a Staircase?
There are many different kinds of materials you can use for staircases, including but not limited to:- Wood
- Concrete
- Laminate
- Stone
- Carpet
- Tile
Which Type of Tile Is Best for Stairs?
Porcelain is a popular choice for staircases, given its durability and versatility. The most important thing is that your staircase tile needs to be durable, since it will likely be in a high traffic area, and it therefore has to regularly withstand people walking up and down on it. Aside from that, there are a variety of factors to consider when determining which tile is best for your staircase. One of the most important is the flooring being used in both the upstairs and downstairs. You want to find a material that matches both floors. In some cases, you’ll want to match the material on the staircase with the material on the other floors, but in other situations an interior designer might recommend using a different kind of flooring.
Are Tiled Stairs Slippery?
Tile can be slippery, which is obviously a danger on a staircase. There are therefore a few different techniques you want to be aware of for reducing this danger. The first is simply choosing a slip-resistant tile. It’s useful to look at the DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction) for the tile, which will tell you how slippery it is. For staircases, it’s useful to look at materials with a higher DCOF, as this indicates less slipperiness. If you want to use a tile that has a lower DCOF rating, it’s a good idea to counteract it with some kind of covering. Depending on your aesthetic preference, you may choose to use carpet, slip resistant tape, or even a floor finish. This will help ensure the safety of anyone using the stairs.What Kind of Tile Do You Use for Outdoor Steps?
Outdoor steps are similar to indoor steps, with the biggest difference being that you need to look for even higher standards of durability and slip-resistance. You’ll also want to find tile that’s non-porous. All of these qualities should be present in tiles designed for the outdoors, but there may be situations where you can find indoors tile that can also be used outside.