How to properly sheathe an iron staircase with a laminated board. Decorating the stairs with a laminate with your own hands: sheathing the steps. Using a specialized profile

Recently, it is often possible to find houses in which there is a laminated staircase. It is very convenient and beautiful, as manufacturers offer different color options. This design can perfectly fit into the overall interior of the room. Laminate steps can be quite comfortable. But the material must be chosen carefully so that in the end the stairs do not turn out to be slippery and dangerous. Laminated steps look especially beautiful in a house where the floors are already covered with laminate. This creates a harmonious picture of the interior.

What should be the laminate for a staircase?

One of the important requirements for covering steps is safety: the laminate for the stairs must have an anti-slip coating. This characteristic should be paid attention to first of all.


Also, the coating must be durable, it is recommended to choose a high-class laminate. In this case, you can use the ladder for a long time and not think about replacing the covering of the steps. Flexible laminate promises the longest operation. Most often, this type of coating is classified as class 43, which indicates a high level of wear resistance and moisture resistance. Laminate for stairs must withstand heavy loads.

Preparation of steps for laminate

If the staircase was originally wooden, then it is recommended to begin with updating the top layer. For this, the steps are ground and primed. There will be no unnecessary processing of wood from pests and fungi. If, when checking, it turns out that some steps are loosened, they must be fixed with screws before installing the laminate. The hats are completely sunk into the wood and covered with putty on top. This will keep the surface as flat as possible. The putty is also used on all gaps and cracks in wooden steps.

Preparation of steps for laminate

A concrete staircase must be leveled if it has bumps or dents. In the event that the steps are level enough, the preparation stage can be safely skipped. But in any case, you should pay attention to the differences between the parts of the steps. They should not be too large, as this is dangerous. To eliminate this problem, you can use special building mixtures. They are simply poured over the top of the step and spread evenly. When dry, the surface is leveled by itself.

In the event that there are very large irregularities or cracks on the concrete steps, it is more convenient to use concrete. To fill it, formwork is installed. To build it, you can take plywood three to four millimeters in size - this will be quite enough.

Characteristics of laminate flooring for stairs

When choosing a suitable material, you should pay attention to its class. Laminate can be of 21 classes. This option will be the cheapest, but it will not work for stairs. This requires a strong coating, so it is best to opt for a class of 30 and above. Even a flexible laminate will be a suitable option for a staircase, especially since it is considered the strongest. A particularly durable coating is necessary for those stairs, which will be walked a lot. For example, when it comes to finishing steps in a store, you should choose the most durable laminate. If you choose a material above grade 30, it will be shockproof, moisture resistant and have good sound insulation. The service life of such steps without the need for repair will be more than 12 years.

Example of a laminate that is suitable for stairs

Facing steps with laminate

After the base itself is ready, you can start working on decorating the stairs. To do this, you need a tape measure, a corner, a hammer with a wooden head, a hand jigsaw, metal corners, fasteners for them, as well as a substrate.

Once the laminate has been selected, it must be cut straight away. To do this, you should carefully measure each element in order not to overspend the finishing material. Experts recommend using thin strips of laminate flooring, as it is more convenient to mount it on the stairs. So you can put two strips on each step.

First of all, a substrate should be placed on the concrete pavement. It will be a kind of buffer that will not allow the laminate to deform even under severe loads. The underlay should be laid with one sheet so that it covers both the steps and the risers.

Then it will be possible to apply the laminate prepared to the size. The cut boards must be laid on the steps, and fastened along the edges with self-tapping screws. They should go deep into the plywood or wooden base. The main thing is that no parts of the screws are sticking out, otherwise the ladder can become very dangerous.

All uneven edges and visible parts of metal fittings should be covered with corners. They will create not only a decorative effect, but also give the steps more safety. In conclusion, you should definitely check the quality of the work done. The laminate should hold very tightly and firmly, and there should be no creaking or crunching anywhere. For greater safety, a special anti-slip profile should be attached. With it, the laying of the finishing material will be simpler and more convenient. This is especially important for those new to the renovation business.

There is nothing complicated about laying laminate flooring on stairs. The main thing is to approach this process responsibly and choose the right facing material.



When the main work on the construction of the stairs in the house is already behind, the developer faces another question - how to properly and beautifully finish the steps of the staircase with his own hands? And then such a lightweight, durable and safe material like laminate comes to the rescue.

This article, supplemented with colorful photos and a useful video, will tell you about the features of such a coating, as well as how to independently make laminate sheathing of stair steps in a house.

Laminate is a versatile coating that has a lot of advantages, including strength, water resistance, durability, great appearance

Laminate: features and advantages of the material

Laminate is a modern wood-fiber material that is highly resistant to physical and mechanical stress. Its main feature is that in appearance it is very similar to natural wood.


Laminated steps look neat and aesthetically pleasing, it is convenient and comfortable to walk on them

Do-it-yourself laminate cladding is quite within the power of even a beginner, since this finish is easy to install and very versatile.

The advantages of laminate flooring include:

  • high resistance to various kinds of influences;
  • economical cost;
  • ease of installation;
  • practicality and versatility;
  • water resistance;
  • environmental Safety;
  • long service life (up to 6 years or more).

The ecological properties of the laminate make it a versatile material for use in private country houses and summer cottages.

What laminate for stairs to choose

The choice of laminate for finishing stair steps with your own hands has its own characteristics:



If the coating will be used in rooms with high traffic, then when choosing a laminate, give preference to the material of the 33rd class.

Inventory required for cladding

For a high-quality finishing of a staircase with a laminate with your own hands, you will need not only a set of necessary tools, but also some ready-made decorative elements.


Even a beginner will be able to cover the structure with a laminate with his own hands, since the material is easy and comfortable to install.

So, stock up on the following inventory:

  • Parquet adhesive.
  • Electric jigsaw.
  • Iron corners or wooden strips.
  • Plywood for cutting to width.
  • Pencil for drawing contours.
  • Construction tape.
  • Notched trowel.
  • Screwdriver.
  • Hacksaw for wood.

The photo shows the basic set of tools that you will need to work with laminate.

Step-by-step instructions for facing stairs with laminate

The whole process of finishing the steps with your own hands can be broken down into several stages:

  1. Laying the substrate.
  2. Laminate cutting.
  3. Sheathing of steps.
  4. Facing the risers.
  5. Installation of a metal corner.

Before proceeding with the facing work, make a plan for future actions and prepare the necessary material and tools

Installation of the substrate

The process of finishing the steps of a staircase from a laminate with your own hands is carried out on a special plywood substrate. Subsequently, it will provide quiet movement on the steps and stability to physical stress. The backing also acts as a soundproofing and moisture-proof material.


There are several types of laminate underlays, including cork, which has a lot of positive qualities - good sound insulation, environmental safety and durability.

In addition, it is a kind of buffer that prevents the destruction of the boards when physically impacting the stairs.

The substrate is laid in a single carpet, covering the steps and risers.


Laying laminate flooring on such unprepared steps is strictly prohibited, be sure to remove all remnants of the previous coating before facing

Laminate cutting

At the second stage of installation, the laminate itself is cut out to the required dimensions. This can be done using an ordinary wood saw.


Before you start cutting the material, be sure to mark it with a simple pencil in accordance with the dimensions of the steps

It should be borne in mind that it is not necessary to immediately cut all the material, it is necessary to carry out a separate cutting operation with accurate measurements for a separate step.


You can cut the laminate with a hacksaw, but it is most convenient to do this with a special electric tool.

Facing steps

The cut parts are laid on the step. Then, using self-tapping screws and a screwdriver, the laminate is attached to the base of the staircase.


Installation of the laminate to the steps is carried out using self-tapping screws and an electric screwdriver

Rise finishing

At the third stage, we finish the risers. The material is attached on the sides with self-tapping screws to the staircase itself. The experts advise to recessed the hats of the fastening accessories into the material.


After the horizontal plane of the steps has already been finished with the laminate, you can start finishing the risers

Installation of a metal corner


The metal profile is attached to the laminate with special durable decorative bolts

Previously, the iron profile is cut into the required lengths with a hacksaw for metal. In the process of work, you must not forget about safety precautions.


You can buy such a metal profile at any specialized store.

Then the prepared corner pieces are screwed to the laid laminate with screws. The metal profile will completely cover the caps of the self-tapping screws that hold the laminate covering.


Such a beautiful and comfortable staircase is obtained after all the work on lining the structure with laminate has been done correctly and with high quality

Informative video

Video: Choosing a laminate

Video: Facing the stairs with laminate

It is not necessary to do the staircase system for your country house or summer cottage yourself. After all, this process takes not only a lot of time, but also a lot of physical strength. In addition, in order to make a high-quality and reliable staircase with your own hands, you must have certain knowledge and good carpentry skills.


A magnificent and stylish staircase from the "Elegant" series with steps made of natural wood costs only 50 390 rubles

It is much easier to purchase a ready-made, beautiful, stylish and high-quality system in a specialized store. These are the products of various shapes, types and designs that the professional online store "Ladders Master" offers to its clients. It is not only easy to buy a structure on the company's website, but also profitable, since the prices for ready-made staircase systems here are the most democratic in Moscow and the Moscow region.


A simple and laconic, but at the same time very convenient and reliable design of the direct type has a price of 51,321 rubles.

Staircase decoration is carried out with almost any materials used for. One of the most correct and beautiful designs is application.

Advantages of laminate flooring for stairs

The use of laminated boards for arranging stairs is popular and has a number of undeniable advantages:

  • you can easily choose the right color scheme, ideal for complementing any interior;
  • a variety of textures will make it possible to perform the most interesting design solution;
  • installation of such a coating is carried out quite easily and quickly;
  • it is very easy to make a major overhaul or independent replacement of individual coating elements.

In addition, laminate flooring compares favorably with low cost compared to natural wood materials.


Preparatory work

Before carrying out the installation, it is important to make sure that the qualitative composition of the base allows it to be carried out. The base must be reliable and durable, and also not have a backlash that can provoke the panels to run out.

Preparation of a flat surface

Laminate boards cannot be attached to a wooden base with glue, since such an attachment causes cracks in the finishing material. For fixing, it is advisable to use self-tapping screws that exclude the formation of squeaks. To prevent rust from forming on the screws, you should perform high-quality waterproofing based on chopik or wood putty.

Also read the materials:

Any insufficiently strong elements on the staircase structure must be replaced, and then the entire staircase must be sanded with varnish and primer. The steps under the laminate should be covered with a 2 mm polyethylene film or, which has a positive effect on the shock absorption and sound insulation of the structure.


Preparation of steps with level difference

In the presence of significant differences in height, based on the measurements made, alignment with special mixtures on a cleaned and primed surface should be performed. Plywood formwork can be used to facilitate leveling with mixtures.

Preparation of concrete steps

  • The concrete base needs to be leveled as efficiently as possible, having cleaned out all visible beads. Cracks need to be putty.
  • A deep penetration primer is applied to the debris-free and leveled concrete surface.
  • The primer must dry thoroughly before installing the laminate.


Material requirements

So that the operation of a staircase equipped with a laminate does not cause disappointment, it is required to select a finishing material in accordance with the technology of work and requirements:

  • laminated boards must be durable, which has a beneficial effect on the durability of the finish;
  • it is important to conduct an initial assessment of the ladder passability and the frequency of use of the structure;
  • the coating should be anti-slip, which contributes to the safe operation of the stairs;
  • high rates of additional sound insulation are very often not superfluous if there are children in the house.


In addition, laminate boards for stair treads must have at least 31 strength classes. It is important to paint or varnish the bowstring and railings, and to align the protruding parts of the treads flush with the risers. For this purpose, the protruding parts are sawn off or the space is filled with plywood. In conclusion, a template should be made for cutting the material.

Laminate steps (video)


Calculation of the amount of materials

It is quite easy to predict in advance the amount of finishing laminate, as well as all related materials that will be required during installation. A convenient option is to use a special calculator program that makes such calculations as accurately as possible.

For calculations, you will need to calculate by means of a ruler the total area of ​​steps with stairways and steps, and enter the result obtained in a special field. In addition, it is important to know in advance the parameters of the length and width of the finishing panels. It is recommended to add about ten percent to the result obtained in case of unexpected damage to the material. In addition, you can take the dimensions of the largest rung and multiply by the total number of rungs.


Tool used

It can be done with parquet glue, liquid nails or a profile fastening system consisting of corners and special strips of the appropriate length and width. Based on the mounting method, you need to prepare the following tool:

  • jigsaw or saw for work;
  • hammer;
  • marker or pencil;
  • roulette, level and rule;
  • notched spatula;
  • insulating substrate;
  • thin plastic film;
  • fasteners with a copper, zinc or brass type of coating.

To complete the installation, it is important to make the correct tread pattern for laying the laminate on the base of the structure.


Installation instructions

Laying is carried out in accordance with the technology of installation work with a laminate and consists of the following steps:

  • installation starts from the top step downward;
  • initially, horizontal sections of steps are installed, called tread;
  • then the material is mounted on the vertical parts of the steps, called risers;
  • then all joints on the structure are faced.


When arranging flights of stairs, significant in area, it is allowed to use the fastening "lock to lock". The attached instructions for laminated panels involve gluing the joints between the sheets with adhesive tape. To connect surfaces located at different levels, profiles are used to decorate the joints and effectively distribute the load.

Finishing the stairs with laminate (video)


An internal staircase is an integral part of a home interior composition. But its finish should not only be beautiful, but also resistant to wear factors. Among the materials that are used to decorate stairs, the most practical option is laminate flooring. Outwardly, it is practically indistinguishable from natural wood, however, it provides a lower noise level when walking. Its main advantages are its low cost, ease of processing and the ability to easily replace worn-out elements. You can finish the stairs with a laminate with your own hands, relying on a fairly modest budget. All that is needed for this is to take a closer look at the basic properties of the material and carefully study some of the subtleties of handling it during installation and already during operation.

What you need to know about laminate flooring?

Laminate is a multi-layer finishing material, the main characteristics of which are wear resistance, impact resistance and water resistance. The finishing of the stairs, the steps of which are subjected to intense operational loads, must be carried out with a material of at least 31 class.

The first thing to look for when choosing a laminate for a staircase is its thickness. On sale you can find coatings with a thickness of 6.7, 8, 10 and 12 mm. The thicker the panel, the easier it is to work with. In addition, a thick coating will be quieter during operation and will be able to withstand mechanical wear and abrasion for much longer. You also need to pay attention to the width of the laminate: for finishing the stairs, it should be selected in such a way as to exclude the presence of locking joints on the tread (horizontal part of the steps).

Finishing interior stairs with laminate in the photo

An equally important characteristic of the material is the class of formaldehyde used in its manufacture. The coating must be safe for your health - the best option is class E1 laminate with a certificate of conformity to European standards EN 13329. You should also pay attention to the manufacturer's warranty. The average lifespan of laminated flooring is 2 to 6 years. Obviously, for finishing the stairs, you should select the material with the maximum guarantee of quality. But the latter is one of the main pricing factors, so in the end the choice will always depend on your financial capabilities.


The appearance of the laminate should correspond to the general idea of ​​the interior of the house. But since you are going to decorate the staircase, be sure to pay attention to its anti-slip properties. And in no case, do not forget that the material is selected both for treads (horizontal sections) and for facing risers (vertical parts of steps), with at least 10-15% margin.


Preparing stairs for finishing

Laminate is just an exterior cladding. It has a weak bearing capacity and cannot provide the structural reliability of the ladder itself. Therefore, the preparation of the latter is perhaps the most important stage of all work.


Even before buying laminated flooring for stair treads, you should calculate the required amount. To do this, you need to take measurements from the widest tread and multiply the resulting area value by the total number of steps. The same should be done with the risers.


Having calculated how much laminate is needed, it remains to buy it. Before putting the material into action, he needs to be allowed to acclimatize. Leave unopened packages with laminate for at least two days in a room with a stable temperature (above 18 ° C) and a relative humidity of 70%.


In the meantime, you should prepare the ladder for work. For this you will need:

  1. Check the reliability of the steps and replace or restore worn-out sections

If the ladder is wooden, you should check the reliability of the installation of its elements, and, if necessary, fasten them with self-tapping screws. Worn or damaged steps must be replaced and brought to a uniform height using a special mixture or plywood.


  1. Remove the remnants of the old finish

All surfaces to be finished must be free from peeling paint and everything else that can negatively affect the quality of the laminate installation.


The template is made of cardboard or other material in the shape of a standard step and / or for non-standard steps.


Tools and additional materials for laying laminate

The installation of the laminate is performed using parquet glue, liquid nails or a profile fastening system - corners and strips for fastening the laminate in length and width, respectively.

To finish the interior staircase with laminate, you will need the following tool:


Laying the laminate on the treads is carried out on a special insulating underlay. It will provide noiselessness and overall stability of the finished coating to loads, and will also perform heat and waterproofing functions. Just for sound insulation, you can use a thin (up to 2 mm) polyethylene film. Whichever support you choose, it must be securely fixed on the horizontal plane of the step. Well, the risers are only subject to facing, so they just need to be prepared for fixing the laminate.

Types of laminate underlay for finishing stairs in the photo

The main loads on the ladder will fall approximately in the middle of the leading edge of the tread. It is desirable to protect this area from premature wear with a special profile or overlays made of plastic or metal. They need to be prepared in advance by completing the number of holes for fasteners necessary for reliable fixation. In order not to confuse the profiles or overlays, they must be numbered similarly to the laminate for treads and cladding for risers.


If you plan to lay the material using self-tapping screws, make sure when purchasing that they are made of materials with rust protection - with a copper, zinc or brass coating.

Remember that the difference in the height of the steps should not exceed 1 cm. The first step can be an exception - as a rule, it differs slightly from all the others in both height and width. If the rest of the steps are also uneven, this will reduce the convenience and safety of the ladder during operation.


Cutting out the laminate

The type of interlock of the laminate is indicated on its packaging, and the methods of handling the material are in the manufacturer's instructions. The latter must be strictly observed in order to avoid unplanned consumption or damage during processing. At the same time, regardless of the design features of the panel, their end and share sides are processed with glue immediately before laying.

So, you already have a template for the treads, the height of the risers is adjusted to a single size, and the staircase itself is completely ready for finishing. The next step is cutting the laminate, in parallel with which you need to prepare the corners and end strips, if the presence of such requires the finishing option you have adopted.

The edges of each panel are adjusted to fit the geometry of the treads and risers. The end corners may not be straight, so be careful with dimensions.

In practice, 2 methods of corner facing (molding) of steps with laminate are used:

L-shaped molding can be mounted hidden (plastic and wood) or open (metal). In the first case, it is preferable to fix it with glue, in the second - with self-tapping screws. The profile system involves the use of both glue (for fixing the laminate) and self-tapping screws (fastening the profile).


Immediately before cutting, decide on the option for fixing the cladding. Its lower edge should rest on leveling supports made of hard material, the thickness of which is selected according to the thickness of the tread panel or slightly less than the latter. The upper edge of the cladding, both in the case of an L-shaped sill and when using a sill profile, must lie flush with the base of the tread.


Before the final fixing of the laminate, make sure that the cut panels, profile or sills fit into the steps intended for them. Any gaps or protrusions are not allowed - everything must be fitted as accurately as possible.

Staircase finishing

Finishing must start from the top step. This will prevent you from stepping on the laminate you just installed and staying on top after finishing work.

If you have already prepared the material for the treads, the lining for the risers and the molding for joining them at the corners of the steps, it's time to get to work.

The stairs are finished with laminate in the following order:

  1. On the line of joining of treads and risers, support pads are installed so that the horizontal covering can be pushed under the edge of the vertical cladding.
  2. Glue is applied to the riser, after which the facing panel is tightly pressed against it and is fixed in this position using spacer wedges.
  3. If you use a sill profile, glue is applied to its reverse side, after which the material is tightly pressed against the corners of the step and fixed using self-tapping screws, spacers or in any other way.
  4. The adhesive is evenly applied to the tread and spread over its plane using a notched trowel.
  5. Laminate is laid on the glued tread. If it is an upper step, the panel is connected to the flooring with a padlock (if the floor of the upper floor is covered with the same laminate or with a molding.
  6. A rubber or plastic insert is installed on the edge profile, after which the insert profile is attached to it.

If you are using the L-shaped saddle, the styling procedure is much the same. The difference lies in the joining of the panel on the tread and the rear edge of the sill. As a rule, it is performed with a lock in a lock, but there are options that require an additional molding profile to fix the panel and dock with the sill.

After completing the top step, move on and so on to the very bottom of the stairs. If you have made the correct calculations and properly prepared the material, the finishing will be completed as soon as possible. Well, then you just have to enjoy the beauty of your new staircase and use it for your own pleasure.

Interior staircase finishing with laminate on video

The staircase inside the house brings a special note of individuality to the overall interior, gives it beauty and originality. Quite often, laminated material is used to finish stair treads. In appearance, it almost does not differ from natural wood covering. But it has a lower cost, is easy to maintain and allows you to replace defective or worn out parts. It is possible to carry out the finishing with your own hands, avoiding significant costs. One has only to get acquainted with the features of the laminated material and the technology of its laying, as well as with the rules for its further operation. Consider how to sheathe a staircase with laminate.

Finishing the stairs with laminate: preparatory work

Laminated material has found wide application for the design of floors, began to be used for the design of walls and ceilings. You can also clad the stairs with laminate. It turns out well to finish a concrete or metal staircase with a laminate, which often look not quite elegant and do not add beauty to the interior. As a restoration, you can finish with a laminate of an old wooden or iron staircase, seemingly unsightly, but quite strong.

To cover the stairs with laminate, you should prepare everything you need:

  • laminated panels of a high level of strength, their width is equal to the width of the step;
  • corner sill or profile made of metal, wood or plastic, or special with a laminated surface to match the base material;
  • polyurethane glue for gluing prepared lamellas;
  • set of self-tapping screws.

How to choose a laminate for a staircase in your home

The ladder can be safely attributed to the category of places of high traffic, its steps are under constant significant load. For this reason, the choice should be made of a commercial material designed for heavy use.

This is a laminate of 31-34 strength classes, which has a considerable lamella thickness and a high-strength surface layer. The three in the numbers of the marking indicates that it belongs to a commercial type. The numbers from 1 to 4 in the second position indicate the thickness of the film on the surface.

Important for the design of stairs under the laminate is the value of the width of its panels. It is desirable that the width of the laminated panel overlaps the entire tread surface (horizontal section) or the entire riser (vertically located part of the step). If the width of the lamella is insufficient, it will be necessary to cover the steps of several panels, to connect them to each other using locking elements.

Such a composite step covering has a lower strength than a solid one. Note that when finishing a staircase (a platform connecting two stairs) with a laminate, the joints of the locking elements will necessarily be. In such places, the laminated material is laid in the usual way, connected by means of locks.

The exterior design of the laminate should be in harmony with the overall interior of the house.

It is worth paying attention that the surface of the laminate is not slippery. You should know and remember that the laminated material will be used on treads (horizontal surfaces of steps) and risers (vertical parts of steps), plus a margin of about 10%.

It is also important to consider when choosing a material, its safety and harmlessness. It is best to choose an E1 class laminate with a certificate of conformity to the European standard (EN 13329). You should read the manufacturer's warranty. For cladding stairs, it is better to choose panels with a long warranty period. This affects the cost, for this reason, the final version is determined by your willingness to bear certain financial expenses.

Corner profile for stairs

For finishing the stairs with laminate, an angular profile is used (it is also called an edge sill, molding). This is an overhead strip, similar to the corner sill, with its use, the outer corners of the steps are decorated. When cladding the stairs, two laminated panels, laid on the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the step, converge at a right angle, which does not look aesthetically pleasing, the edges of the panels are visible.

The edge profile covers the corner of the joint and strengthens the attachment of the panels. It is applied to the top of the joint, fixed with glue or self-tapping screws.

The role of such profiles can be played by corner thresholds. Their other name is a ladder profile for a laminate. They can be made from various metals such as aluminum, steel, brass. Painting can be golden, bronze, steel or wood.

  1. The metal molding carries a decorative load and protects the corners of the steps from wear. Often the staircase profile has a corrugated surface, which has an anti-slip effect.
  2. Plastic profiles are corners of various shades. It will not be difficult to choose the shade of the profile that matches the laminated panels exactly. A plastic molding protects the edge of the step by creating a beautiful corner, hiding all internal connections. Their advantage is their low cost. For their fastening, glue is used, which should be chosen of good quality, strength.
  3. The lath made of wood is excellently combined with the laminated coating, has a long service life, allows minor repairs such as grinding, putty, painting. The only drawback of wood molding is the high cost. It is mounted using an adhesive or self-tapping screws.
  4. In addition to corner thresholds, a specially designed laminated profile is used, which is ideal for laminated flooring. The Incizo profile of the Belgian company Quick Step is popular. This profile is perfectly compatible with Quick Step laminate flooring.

To attach such a ladder profile to the sidewalls of the step, using self-tapping screws, a base is mounted in the form of a metal strip. Next, the metal guide is covered from above with a laminated profile using glue. The profile is fixed firmly, the fastening looks decorative, because there are no traces of fasteners on the surface - they are hidden.

Fastening the profile to a metal rail is the most optimal solution, combining reliability and invisibility.

Preparatory work with the staircase

Even before laying the laminate on the stairs, it is imperative to prepare the staircase itself, if necessary, make a complete or partial repair. This is an integral step in the entire complex of works.

Before purchasing panels for facing stairs with laminate, you should calculate its quantity. First, a measurement is made (length and width) of the widest horizontal surface (tread), the calculated value of its area is multiplied by the number of steps. The same calculation is done for the risers.

After purchasing the laminated material, it is kept indoors in packages for 48 hours for acclimatization.

At this time, we are preparing the stairs for facing.

Checking the reliability of steps, replacing or restoring places with defects

In preparation for sheathing wooden stairs with a laminate, you need to make sure that its components are securely fastened and strengthen them, if necessary, using self-tapping screws. Cracks and crevices are putty on wood with putty.

Worn or defective steps must be replaced, after which they are leveled in height using plywood sheets.

When sheathing concrete stairs with a laminate, uneven or defective steps are leveled using leveling mixtures (cement, for large gaps, a concrete mixture is used). When the solution is dry, sand the surface with sanding paper. To get rid of cement dust, the steps must be vacuumed, then wiped with a damp cloth.

Removing the remnants of the former coating

All steps should be well cleaned of loose paint, old linoleum, carpet or other finishes, this can damage the stacking of laminate panels. Remove traces of glue, grease. Remove protruding nails, screws.

In case of damage to the wooden flooring itself, it is necessary to level it. This can be done in several ways:

  • removing the top layer with a polishing tool;
  • the use of a leveling substrate, which can level minor differences in height;
  • plywood alignment.

Treating the stairs with an antifungal agent and varnishing it

Fungal spores destroy not only the structure of the tree, but also initiate various diseases in humans. Long-term contact with harmful flora can disrupt the functioning of the respiratory system and cause diseases such as: bronchitis, asthma, and renitis. In this regard, the surface is treated with synthetic antiseptics.

To eliminate the recurrence of the appearance of the fungus, it is necessary to reduce the humidity in the room, if possible, open access to the free penetration of air and sunlight.

After antiseptic treatment, the wooden span should be varnished to secure the structure and create a protective layer.

Painting or varnishing the railings

Painting can be done with powder paints or varnish-based dyes (both synthetic and natural). It is also possible to darken and change the structure of the tree using all kinds of wood stains. In this case, it makes sense to first use the composition on a small area or on a cut off part, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.

In the case of varnishing, preference should be given to matte varnishes, since with frequent contact with the surface of the railing during their operation, the gloss will quickly lose its appearance.

If the house is new and the staircase has not yet been assembled, then it is better to paint the elements before installation. In this case, it will be easier to get to hard-to-reach places, which will give a better result.

All further work is carried out only after all staircase elements are completely dry.

Cleaning the surfaces of the steps from contamination

After painting, wet cleaning of the workplace should be done. It is enough to wipe the surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth. Do not overuse water.

Clean from top to bottom. This way you can sweep away all the debris without getting the washed part dirty.

It is better to limit the use of detergents and apply only when necessary.

Preparing a template for cutting laminate panels

It is made from cardboard or thick paper. The length and width of the step (tread and riser) are measured, applied to a cardboard sheet, keeping the shape and dimensions of the step, an individual template is made for a non-standard step.

According to the template, the shape is applied to the laminate panel, then the workpiece is cut (using a grinder, jigsaw, etc.) along the applied contours. The prepared panels are numbered in order to know later on which step it belongs to.

The technological process of lining the stairs with laminate

We consider in detail the technological process of sheathing stairs from a laminate with our own hands.

Using a specialized profile


Using L-shaped thresholds

This method is easier to perform, but the quality of the finish may be lower - in terms of decorativeness and strength. We assume that the staircase has been prepared, the slats have been cut to size and numbered.

  1. An adhesive composition is applied to the surface of the riser, distributed with a notched trowel. Then it is necessary to glue the laminate panel to this surface, leaving a gap below, the size of which is equal to the thickness of the lamella.
  2. An adhesive composition is applied to the tread surface, spread with a notched trowel over the entire surface. We apply a laminate board to the horizontal plane of the step, pressing it against the step.
  3. The selected threshold is fixed to the corner of the step. The fastening of the metal nut is carried out using screws, screwing them into the prepared holes. Fastening of plastic sills - by applying glue. Fastening wooden sills can be done in either of two ways.
  4. This work must be done for each of the steps below.
  5. After finishing work on the sheathing of the stairs, you cannot step on it for about a day, and with glue fastening - 48 hours is better.

By material, L-shaped sills can be divided into three groups:

  • plastic;
  • wooden;
  • metal.

By the type of installation, two main methods are distinguished:

  • open;
  • closed.

In the case of an open fastening method, self-tapping screws are used (suitable for a metal profile), for a closed one - glue (for plastic and wooden profiles).

Quick Step and Incizo

To form the surface of the stairs you will need:

  • auxiliary aluminum profile;
  • Incizo profile;
  • special knife for profile trimming;
  • Quick Step laminate;
  • glue;
  • self-tapping screws.

Step-by-step installation process:

  1. An auxiliary metal profile is applied to the corner of the step.
  2. The aluminum profile is fastened with self-tapping screws to both surfaces of the step.
  3. A lamella is glued to the lifting part of the step (vertical). Use the spacers on the bottom to leave space for the next tread to form.
  4. Glue is applied to the horizontal part of the step (on the step itself and on the auxiliary profile). A lamella is installed.
  5. A plastic nozzle is pressed into the locking part of the upper strip for connection with the Incizo profile.
  6. With the help of a special knife, the Incizo profile is formed in one of 5 ways, which is suitable for connection with a metal strip.
  7. Glue is applied to the Incizo profile and installation is carried out.

The technological process of covering stairs from QUICK STEP laminate (quick step) using the Incizo profile can also be seen in the video:

We examined the main ways of how to sheathe a staircase with a laminate with your own hands. We hope that by following our recommendations, you will succeed, and you will be satisfied with the result, which will delight you for many years.