Concrete or timber stairs

mel2012

Hi All,

Just looking for the pros and cons of concrete stairs v timber stairs (covered with wood or carpet) i.e. price, noise levels etc ...

We're blocklaying at the minute and have to make a decision pretty soon ...
Thanks

moan 77

mel2012 wrote: »

Hi All,

Just looking for the pros and cons of concrete stairs v timber stairs (covered with wood or carpet) i.e. price, noise levels etc ...

We're blocklaying at the minute and have to make a decision pretty soon ...
Thanks

Hi,

I went with a concrete stairs, at the time I did cost both and they worked out nearly the same, concrete just cheaper however I now need to clad this and fit hand rail.
The main reason for going with the concrete one was to allow full access to the upstairs during construction.

BullBauld

I put in a concrete stairs too. I put carpet on it as I was told that cladding it would cost the price of the stairs again. I didn't price it though.

Between the hollowcore and concrete stairs the house is very quiet.

moan 77

BullBauld wrote: »

I put in a concrete stairs too. I put carpet on it as I was told that cladding it would cost the price of the stairs again. I didn't price it though.

Between the hollowcore and concrete stairs the house is very quiet.

Hi BullBauld,
Can I ask you did you fit carpet the whole way across the stairs or did ya leave a gap both sides if ya did?, did ya just paint the exposed concrete. As I'm not sure how to finish mine I will have a glass stainless steel handrail on one side and if I don't leave a gap the I'll have to fit the post onto carpet ?? Not sure it will look ok.

BullBauld

moan 77 wrote: »

Hi BullBauld,
Can I ask you did you fit carpet the whole way across the stairs or did ya leave a gap both sides if ya did?, did ya just paint the exposed concrete. As I'm not sure how to finish mine I will have a glass stainless steel handrail on one side and if I don't leave a gap the I'll have to fit the post onto carpet ?? Not sure it will look ok.

Hi moan 77
My stairs is walled on both sides so I didn't have that problem, handrail fitted to wall with brackets. No concrete left exposed at all.

Not sure what I'd do in your situation to be honest.

Sorry I cant be more help.

mr.stonewall

BullBauld wrote: »

I put in a concrete stairs too. I put carpet on it as I was told that cladding it would cost the price of the stairs again. I didn't price it though.

Between the hollowcore and concrete stairs the house is very quiet.

Why not just clad the threads with hardwood ( can be screwed and plugged to stairs and a bit of gripfill). simple and should not be too expensive

Do-more

The second step of my timber stairs developed a creak after only a few months in the house, which was a bugger if you were trying to sneak in late from the pub!

Always swore I'd go for a concrete stairs when I build again, but instead I have given up going to the pub!

But I'll be making sure that the timber stairs I get in my new build is well glued and screwed with loads of strengthening.

YouTookMyName

Do-more wrote: »

The second step of my timber stairs developed a creak after only a few months in the house, which was a bugger if you were trying to sneak in late from the pub!

Can you get at under the stairs?

Few more express nails into the wall under the step should fix it.

Do-more

YouTookMyName wrote: »

Can you get at under the stairs?

Few more express nails into the wall under the step should fix it.

Thanks, but fortunately I sold the house four years ago so not worrying about the squeaky step any longer!

YouTookMyName

Do-more wrote: »

Thanks, but fortunately I sold the house four years ago so not worrying about the squeaky step any longer!

3-4 120mm express nails under each step!

ricedf

moan 77 wrote: »

Hi BullBauld,
Can I ask you did you fit carpet the whole way across the stairs or did ya leave a gap both sides if ya did?, did ya just paint the exposed concrete. As I'm not sure how to finish mine I will have a glass stainless steel handrail on one side and if I don't leave a gap the I'll have to fit the post onto carpet ?? Not sure it will look ok.

Hi. I have exactly the same problem now (2 years later!). Just wondered what solution you came up with? Thanks

mc2010

I'm at your stage now ricedf. thinking strongly of going concrete. how u fairing out with yours

ricedf

Ours worked out well Difficult to finish off though and took a while to come up with a solution with the joiner. Worked out more expensive in the end but its solid and we love our end result. Need to make sure you leave a sufficient gap between the stairs and the upstairs floor slab otherwise you will have to move the railing out from the slab to allow clearance outside the rail for your hand. That will make your stairs narrower. We finished the stairs in carpet but I'd say if you want wooden treads just go for a wooden staircase.