Stairways, especially those made of high-quality expensive materials, are practically not used today without additional devices. A wide range of overlays on the steps of the stairs, presented in the domestic and foreign markets, make it possible not only to decorate the stairs. Complementing the interior, they provide the maximum level of comfort and safety.
We will talk about the functions, varieties and features of using these overlays in our article.
General information
Overlays - why are they?
A staircase is a full-fledged element of the interior or exterior of a building, and therefore its appearance requires the utmost attention. However, in most cases, stairs are made before the completion of all finishing works, and therefore are somewhat "knocked out" of the overall design of the room.
To avoid this and provide the most harmonious picture, many either cover the steps with carpet tracks, or lay special overlays.
However, in addition to the aesthetic function, overhead elements perform a number of others:
- First, they mask step wear, especially in those parts that suffer the most from friction and stress.
- Dense material overlays protect surfaces from damage. This function is most relevant if the staircase is made of expensive wood or decorative stone.
- To minimize the risk of injury, anti-slip mats are often installed on outdoor stairs. Spans in public buildings with high traffic are also equipped with the same devices.
- Well, for the northern regions, special heating mats that prevent icing will be relevant.
Classification
As you can see, despite their simplicity, step liners can be very useful. If you are thinking about purchasing such devices, you should first familiarize yourself with all the available assortment.
Most manufacturers manufacture products of these types:
- Decorative (made from carpet or similar materials).
- Bamboo (combine a protective function with giving the stairs an attractive appearance).
- Protective (most often they have an angular design, prevent damage to the edge or plane of the steps).
- Anti-slip ladder pads (made of rubber, can be mounted on a metal frame).
- Warming.
A separate category is made up of overhead steps for stairs, which can be made of both wood and artificial stone. They are a set of panels that attach to an old staircase and give it a completely new look.
Below we will take a closer look at the most popular varieties, and also describe how you can install them yourself.
Overview of the most popular varieties
Decorative
Decorative carpet inserts are small pieces of material, cut to fit the shape and size of the step. Unlike the carpet runner, which is attached to the stairs with the help of special devices, individual rugs are simply laid out on horizontal planes.
Most often, self-adhesive tape is used to fix the overlays, fixed on the underside of the carpet.However, some manufacturers produce products without it, believing that it will be more convenient to move the decor when cleaning.
When choosing such a carpet, one should pay attention not only to its pattern and color scheme, but also to the density of the material. The thing is that the carpet laid on the stairs will experience heavy loads and can quickly lose its "marketable" appearance. (see also Attic stairs)
Protective and anti-slip
This type of accessory not only extends the life of the ladder parts, but also minimizes the risk of slipping on the step. Inside the house, they will probably be superfluous, but on the street or in a public building, you simply cannot do without them.
The widest range of products is presented in this category.
Among them:
- Facing corners... They are made in the form of an L-shaped element made of frost-resistant and highly elastic rubber. The most common rubber corners are made from a profile with a thickness of 4 mm with a width of overhead parts from 30 to 50 mm. Self-adhesive tape installed on the seamy surface is used for installation.
Note!
The corners are supplied in rolls up to 12 meters long, so they can be mounted on stairs of any width.
- Polymer protective ladder pads... Like the previous model, the polymer corner is produced in the form of a roll. The main difference is the material: instead of rubber, elastic polyvinyl chloride is used for its manufacture. The advantage of PVC protective elements is increased abrasion resistance and long service life.
- Euro-step is another profile that protects the edge of the steps from damage and prevents slipping. Attaches securely to treated wood, concrete, marble and other smooth surfaces. The minimum guaranteed service life is about 5 years.
- Anti-slip self-adhesive tapes... If the corners are mounted on the edge of the step, then the tape elements are installed on its very plane. For fastening, either double-sided tape or mechanical clamps are used.
- Aluminum pads with rubber insert... They are flat or angular aluminum profiles, inside which a rubber sheet is placed. As a rule, the rubber insert has a ribbed surface, which provides the most reliable grip on the sole of the shoe. This type is the most effective. (see also Staircase to the second floor)
Note!
The disadvantages of aluminum linings include a rather high price, as well as a significant (5 mm or more) profile height.
Slipping is not a slip, but you can catch the toe of your shoe while walking!
Heated devices
To protect outdoor stairs from freezing in winter, special rugs with thermoelements are often used:
- The products are produced in series of three to five rugs connected by wires.
- There is a heating element inside each mat.
- The work is controlled using a special remote control. It sets the temperature regime, turn-on time, etc.
- The system is connected to a 220V network. When operating at full capacity, the heating will melt up to 50 mm of snow or ice within an hour.
Advice!
Having installed the heating pads, it is worth taking care of the drainage of water from the steps, otherwise a frozen puddle will form next to the stairs.
Installation technology
Most products of this type (for example, the already mentioned carpet pads on the stairs) are mounted on a self-adhesive layer or on double-sided tape.
It will be somewhat more difficult to install models with an aluminum case, and therefore this section provides quite detailed instructions:
- We put the part on the step, if necessary, trim the profile to size.For trimming, we use a saw for metal, and shorten the rubber insert with a sharp knife.
- Through the mounting holes with a marker, we make marks on the base. If the holes are not provided for by the design, we drill them in advance using a drill.
- We drill nests according to the marks, using a perforator and a drill with a victorious nozzle.
- Apply a layer of silicone sealant to the bottom of the profile.
- We lay the profile on the step, aligning the mounting holes. We insert plastic dowels into the nests.
- We fix the structure with locking screws, hammering them in with a hammer and tightening with a screwdriver.
Correctly installed pad should "sit like a glove", not shifting or sagging under the weight of the person.
Output
Correctly selected and well-installed lining on the stairs are not only a decoration for the house. (see also How to make a ladder) They also extend the life of your ladder, and also protect you from possible injury. As you can see, such an acquisition will be very useful! In the video presented in this article, you will find additional information on this topic.
