IN THIS POST:
– Concrete
– Stone
– Wood
– Glass
– Metal
There are a number of staircase designs that you can consider for your home, but practically building them all with the same materials might be impossible. This is why you need to choose the right building materials for stairs that offer you the best results in terms of the design, safety, as well as stability. Here are the pros and cons of some of the most commonly used staircase building materials for your review.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Building Materials for Stairs
The most popularly used construction materials for stairs include:
- Concrete
- Stone
- Wood
- Glass
- Metal
Let’s cover each of these materials to build a staircase below in detail to evaluate the pros and cons of each.
Concrete
Since most homes in Pakistan are built using concrete, it makes perfect sense to build a staircase with the same material, keeping uniformity in design. This is especially the case for apartment buildings, where concrete offers the simplest and the sturdiest option to build a stairwell comprising several floors and multiple landings.
Pros
- Concrete is easier to shape according to your chosen design as it is a paste that eventually dries up to form whatever shape or style you desire.
- It is ideal for curved or spiral staircases that can be difficult to build with other construction materials.
- You can cover concrete steps with wooden panels, tiles, or paint to create whatever colour scheme you choose.
- The best part about choosing concrete for your stairs is that the material is sturdy, strong, and reliable, ensuring that the stairs will last for years to come.
- Concrete stairs are fire-resistant.
- This staircase building material can be ideal for wide areas and grand staircase designs.
- Stairs made from concrete do not need to be cast on-site, as they can easily be pre-casted and then transported to the building site as needed.
Cons
- Staircase designs made from concrete are often bulky
- The pale grey material has no visual appeal of its own unless you have a grey colour scheme.
- Transporting precast concrete stairwells might be difficult as concrete is a fairly heavy material.
- You must provide proper support using a frame to prevent the cracks from developing in the concrete.
- Concrete edges on the steps can chip over time and repairing small chips and cracks is often difficult.
- Casting concrete into moulds and waiting for it to dry is a time-consuming process which should not be adopted for a time-sensitive build.
Stone
Unlike concrete which eventually hardens into a stone-like consistency, stone staircases are built using slabs of marble, granite, and other stones. Here are some beautiful marble staircase designs that you can consider for your project. Please note that since this material is installed in its natural form, no two slabs will have exactly the same patterns.
Pros
- Stairs made from natural stone can be quite durable and sturdy.
- Stone stairs are ideal for outdoor use in the yard or garden.
- You’ll be able to find different colours and qualities of stone for any project based on your need.
- Natural stone is a fire-resistant construction material.
- You can add a touch of elegance and grandeur to the home with marble staircases.
Cons
- There will be a lack of uniformity in design as the naturally patterned slabs might have some colour hues that set them apart from one another.
- Both marble and granite can be fairly slippery and should be used with caution.
- Stone slabs can be quite heavy and will require sufficient support to build the stairs.
Wood
Often used for colder climates, wood is a material that can be used to build intricate and slim stairwells in small spaces. The material is a part of all major interior décor styles, including contemporary, rustic, as well as traditional interiors. It is also available in a range of shades and wood types to meet your preferences.
Pros
- Wood can be used to create stylish staircases in any home.
- The material is ideal for all types of interior décor styles.
- Wooden staircases can be built in cramped spaces with ease.
- The visual appeal and warmth of wood are timeless.
- It is fairly lightweight as a construction material, allowing you to play with your creative ideas and designs.
- You can choose light or dark coloured woods or cheap or pricier woods based on your preference.
- Most wooden structures are easy to build and are cost-effective as well.
- You can easily paint, polish, varnish, or clean wood with easy DIY processes.
Cons
- Stairs made of wood are generally not fire-resistant, so they pose a risk in areas where wildfires are common.
- Wood might not be the most durable material though, as it is prone to cracks and scratches.
- Humid environments can cause wood to rot and destroy the structural integrity of your stairs.
Glass
Modern interiors often favour glass as a construction material as its transparency improves visual flow inside the house. Accordingly, there are several different types of tempered glass in Pakistan that are used during construction projects. However, even tempered glass can break without the right support structure, so you need to design your staircase carefully for the best stability.
Pros
- Glass staircases bring a modern touch to homes.
- Stairs made from glass can help the eye make seamless transitions from one floor to the next.
- Sheets of glass are ideal for floating staircases in cramped spaces.
- The transparency of glass allows light to filter through structures and keep the interior bright during the day.
Cons
- Glass is a fragile material that is prone to breaking without proper support.
- It is also a high maintenance material that needs frequent cleaning.
- Glass staircases may be slippery and a fall hazard for kids and the elderly, as the transparency makes it difficult to judge the beginning and end of each step.
- Thick slabs of glass can be quite heavy to lift on your own.
- You will require expert help to design and install a set of glass stairs.
- Adding a glass staircase to your home might also cost you more than many of the other mainstream options.
Metal
Ideal for cramped spaces, spiral stairs are often designed using metal. However, since the material can be adversely affected by environmental conditions, it is not the appropriate choice for outdoor use. Steel and iron are two metals that are commonly used in home construction.
Pros
- Most metal structures can be extremely sturdy and strong indoors.
- Metal staircases can be perfect for small spaces as the material is easy to mould and shape as per your design.
- It is a lightweight material to build your staircase.
- Spiral staircases are commonly built using metal.
Cons
- Metal can rust and corrode over time with environmental damage, which makes it inappropriate for outdoor use.
- Installing metal stairs inside the house requires professional expertise in welding and riveting joints together for a stable structure.
- Metal is a more expensive construction material.
- Stairs made from metal can create a lot of noise when they are used.
- Most metal structures have sharp edges that can cause serious injuries.
Now you know the pros and cons of some of the best building materials for stairs in homes. Evaluate each option based on the design you want to follow.
Taking help from a professional can offer better safety for your family and home in the long run and this is one of the primary reasons why you should consider hiring an architect for your project. Consult with an architect to determine the structural stability of your chosen material before you begin the construction because if the design or the material is unsuitable, a good architect will guide you accordingly, helping you attain the best results with greater reliability.
An architect does not play the same role as a contractor though, so you may want to read up on the differences between an architect and a contractor before hiring either of them. Once you’re clear on the role they will play in the build, here’s how to select an architect and how to select a contractor for your construction project. You should also read more about what questions to ask a contractor before you hire them to manage a building site.
Keep reading Zameen Blog for more information on home construction and improvement projects. You can send us your comments on the posts at blog@zameen.com.
