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Stairs form a practical part of the floor and can be turned into a work of art and a focal point in any home.
Whether you have stairs leading from the ground floor to the first storey or from the outdoors to the indoors, think of how you can mix different materials and colours to create a step and landing area that is unique and grabs attention.
Tiles are one of the most durable materials for staircases as they are hard-wearing and suitable for high traffic areas.
“Staircases need to withstand wear and tear, especially the edge of the steps and tiles are an ideal material for these areas,” says Kate van Niekerk from Tile Africa.
A tile with a PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating of 4 is ideal for high-traffic areas such as a staircase, especially those leading from an entrance hall, leading up to the first storey or the small stairways connecting rooms where the floor area is raised or lowered.
Tiles are available in a variety of materials and colours, ensuring endless design ideas and options. The staircase can form a continuation of the floor area where the same tile is used on both surfaces. “This works particularly well when neutral coloured tiles are used,” says van Niekerk.
Alternatively, be creative and design an interesting landing with a combination of different tiles, textures and patterns.
Other options include:
• Using bright coloured tiles for the vertical part of the step, known as the riser, or
• Creating borders at the edge of the step, using colourful and smaller tiles.
• Play around with tiles and create interesting designs on the horizontal part, known as the tread, by placing coloured tiles in a different direction to neutral tiles.
• A trendy look is combining pearlescent mosaic tiles, used on the riser, with natural stone tiles used on the tread, for a distinctive look with a practical application.
Care tips:
Tiles are extremely easy to clean and require low maintenance. Frequent sweeping and washing with a bit of water and a tile care product will keep the tiles in good condition and bring out their lustre and shine. It is also important to seal the grout between the tiles to prevent if from discolouring and keep in mind that natural tiles need to be sealed for protection.
Whether you have stairs leading from the ground floor to the first storey or from the outdoors to the indoors, think of how you can mix different materials and colours to create a step and landing area that is unique and grabs attention.
Tiles are one of the most durable materials for staircases as they are hard-wearing and suitable for high traffic areas.
“Staircases need to withstand wear and tear, especially the edge of the steps and tiles are an ideal material for these areas,” says Kate van Niekerk from Tile Africa.
A tile with a PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating of 4 is ideal for high-traffic areas such as a staircase, especially those leading from an entrance hall, leading up to the first storey or the small stairways connecting rooms where the floor area is raised or lowered.
Tiles are available in a variety of materials and colours, ensuring endless design ideas and options. The staircase can form a continuation of the floor area where the same tile is used on both surfaces. “This works particularly well when neutral coloured tiles are used,” says van Niekerk.
Alternatively, be creative and design an interesting landing with a combination of different tiles, textures and patterns.
Other options include:
• Using bright coloured tiles for the vertical part of the step, known as the riser, or
• Creating borders at the edge of the step, using colourful and smaller tiles.
• Play around with tiles and create interesting designs on the horizontal part, known as the tread, by placing coloured tiles in a different direction to neutral tiles.
• A trendy look is combining pearlescent mosaic tiles, used on the riser, with natural stone tiles used on the tread, for a distinctive look with a practical application.
Care tips:
Tiles are extremely easy to clean and require low maintenance. Frequent sweeping and washing with a bit of water and a tile care product will keep the tiles in good condition and bring out their lustre and shine. It is also important to seal the grout between the tiles to prevent if from discolouring and keep in mind that natural tiles need to be sealed for protection.
