Steps for porcelain stoneware: features and selection criteria

An external or internal staircase is an important element of a building for any purpose. Therefore, its components, for example, the railing or steps should be made of high-quality and attractive material. For the manufacture of stair steps using a variety of raw materials. A special place in this list belongs to porcelain stoneware.

Ceramic granite is an artificial stone, the production of which is carried out by pressing and firing a number of components. The specificity of the manufacture of raw materials allows products to have a high level of strength and durability.Steps for stairs made of porcelain stoneware are presented on the market in a large variety of shapes and colors. According to their technical characteristics, they are not inferior to products from natural granite.

The production of steps for stairs made of porcelain stoneware is as follows. First, prepare a mixture consisting of various types of clay, feldspar, mineral coloring composition, quartz sand. Next, form a plate of a given size, which is directed under the press. The load on raw materials is 500 kg per cm2. The final stage is the heat treatment of the obtained products at a temperature of at least 1300 degrees C. The standard tile sizes for steps are as follows:

• height - 15 cm;
• width - 30 cm;
• length - 120-160 cm;
• tile thickness - 1.2-15 mm.

The length of monolithic products can be 120, 130, 160, 180 cm with a width of 300 mm. Often these models are used together with the eaves. Due to the side or the eaves, it is possible not to supplement the construction with a metal profile. The removable profile is usually installed after finishing the entire structure and grouting the joints between the elements. There are products with dimensions 1200x300, 1400x300, 300x300x8 mm.Facing staircases with curved or fan-shaped structures is also possible using ceramogranitnye steps.

To choose among the wide range of steps for stairs exactly the product that is ideal for stacking, you must have an idea of ​​what constitutes steps made of porcelain stoneware. Otherwise, you can buy a completely inappropriate product for laying on a flight of stairs or a porch. Products are a set of several components, the combination of which forms a single element to create a complete composition of a ceramic staircase. The kit includes the following products:

• tread;
• risers;
• plinth

Prostrum is the main part. This is a tile that is made with embossed stripes or notches that prevent from sliding on the surface.Some models are made with the inclusion of cuts of abrasive material. This configuration provides the base roughness. Besides products can be figured and simple, the figured edge is realized in the form of a separate part.

The riser is a vertically mounted element that is placed under the step itself. The main parameter of this component is the height. During the cladding, the size of the product must be customized to the required step size.

Almost all models of products have a plinth, it performs a decorative role. Installation of the element occurs along the walls or one wall, based on the characteristics of the device and the location of the stairs.

The presence of many positive features of the material allows you to actively exploit it for finishing the stairs of the porch, at home. The material has no cracks, due to the specifics of production. This feature gives the raw material such a property as hygroscopicity. Moisture does not penetrate, which makes it possible to exploit products for exterior decoration of stairs at home. Among the advantages is to highlight the main characteristics of the raw materials:

• Wear resistance. This indicator of porcelain stoneware is 2 points lower than that of diamond.
• Good level of resistance to negative temperatures. Porcelain is not afraid of frost, reaching even -50 degrees C.
• Chemical inertness Products do not interact with aggressive substances of inorganic origin.
• Resistance to weather conditions, including precipitation, high temperature, its difference.

• Environmental friendliness. The material is completely safe for humans.
• Ease of care. Steps from porcelain tile do not demand special conditions of service.
• Refractoriness is inherent in raw materials. The material is not a conductor of electric current.
• Ceramic products do not change their color during operation, it does not fade from ultraviolet radiation.

The steps made of porcelain stoneware are widely used for arranging the stairs inside and outside, whether it be a staircase structure leading to the second floor or a porch. The disadvantages of the material include a cold base products. But this problem is easy to solve using carpet or floor heating system of any type.The disadvantage is the complexity of cutting porcelain during installation. Experts recommend to pay close attention to the size of the purchased products for facing steps, so that they do not have to cut and fit under the constructive stairs.

Steps of porcelain can be divided into several types according to the type of texture:

• Matte differ in low cost due to lack of processing. They are distinguished by a high level of durability compared to other variants.
• Glazed tiles differ in production technology, which involves surface treatment with glaze. More often the similar look is applied to internal works.
• The degree of processing of polished products allows you to create on the surface mirror shine. The downside is the fact that the surface will be slippery.

• Preparation method satin analogues implies the application of wax or mineral salts on the material. They have a brilliant base.
• Structured material allows you to create on the surface imitation (for example, wood, leather or textile).
• Lappatti tile It is remarkable for the surface on which different sections of texture are formed by grinding.

In addition, the steps can be divided into the following types:

• Standard products;
• products with glue spout;
• prefabricated, consisting of several elements.

Fastening the spout is performed on a special adhesive for the tile. The latter type is a modular or solid tile of various sizes. The laying process involves two options: a seamless method or lining with the formation of a seam. Taking into account the edge of the tile, steps can be with:

• rounded nose (capinos);
• relief edge;
• rectangular edge.

Manufacturers of ceramic granite steps for stairs are represented on the domestic market by foreign and Russian companies:

• It should be noted LLC ZKS (Russia), the production capacity of which for more than 10 years has been engaged in the production of building and finishing materials from porcelain stoneware. The company is better known as "Ural granite". Products are widely used for decoration of public buildings. The plant was among the first to realize large format porcelain. The steps of this manufacturer are in demand due to the large range of different colors, high technological qualities.
• Another domestic representative of porcelain steps for stairs is a factory Italon. Product buyers note the originality of the product design of this manufacturer. Experts point to the durability of the product. She passed the test of time inside and outside buildings.

• Kerama Marazzi (Spain) - a brand offering customers a wide choice of elements for finishing and arranging stairs. Products stand out among their counterparts with original decorative details that emphasize the originality of the steps.
• Factory Venatto specializes in the production of monolithic porcelain stoneware stairs.During the product release process, the latest generation technologies are used. This makes it possible to offer customers products of large sizes with the possibility of mounting on the base of a seamless method of laying.
• On the Russian construction market products from China are abundant. Experts point out the low cost of Chinese products. However, the acquisition of these products must be approached with caution: the raw materials used for production are not always of good quality.

The porcelain stoneware steps can have the following texture types:

• stone, repeating the texture of natural material;
• salt-pepper (on the material there are black and white blotches);
• monocolor (in one shade of color without transition and additional inclusions);
• under the tree (differing matte surface).

As for the decorative components for the decoration of the stairs, they are present on the risers. For example, it may be an ethnic ornament, a diverse pattern. Monochromatic materials are trimmed with a contrast baseboard, as well as LED strip that illuminates the contours of the steps or the frontal areas.Due to the aesthetic appeal of the steps made of porcelain stoneware are perfectly combined with any style of the interior of the room. Stairs in the style of modern, baroque, classic, ultra-modern directions of high-tech will be able to emphasize the luxury and presentability of the exterior of the building or interior decoration. Practicality and durability will be an additional advantage of such products.

How to lay porcelain tiles on the steps, see the following video.