Wood tile meets stairs

10 years ago

We are renovating a house and have decided to install wood tile in the entry, kitchen and living room on the main floor. The second floor (bedrooms will have wood flooring).
I'm having trouble deciding what to put on the stairs from the main floor to the second floor. The wood tile meets the stairs so wood on the stairs will look odd I think. Don't like carpet. Any thoughts?

Featured Answer

PRO

Solar Texas

10 years ago

Google "Mexican stair tile design". Given the tight space and the interesting stair design, the burst of multi-colored tile might be attractive to you in this area.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

chiflipper
10 years ago
I'd paint the stairs a solid neutral that "goes" with each floor's wood tone. Stairs get so much traffic - it's easy to repaint them if needed.
nuthinontv
10 years ago
What are the stairs constructed of?
Related Professionals
Morgantown Interior Designers & Decorators · Parkersburg Interior Designers & Decorators · Brooklyn Interior Designers & Decorators · Mission Viejo Interior Designers & Decorators · Edmonton Interior Designers & Decorators · Wilmington Architects & Building Designers · Indianapolis Architects & Building Designers · Lake Charles Architects & Building Designers · Texarkana Architects & Building Designers · Champaign Architects & Building Designers · Portsmouth Architects & Building Designers · Cornwall Architects & Building Designers · Hays Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Gloucester Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Stockton Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Paint the riser, and top the tread with either wood, stone or tile. Lovely stair. Keep it simple.
stephaniemedeiros
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the ideas. The stairs are in cement.
Love the Mexican tiles, but this house is in Switzerland, not a ski chalet but still, I think it would look out of place....
Love the last proposition/photos, thank you.
Anyone have experience with granite or the very modern engineered quartz on stairs? I think it could look nice and clean, but maybe too slippery.
Paula Smith
10 years ago
Porcelain granite-look tile would do well. Narrow grout lines so it looks solid. Such a beautiful staircase doesn't need too much coverage.
Alternatively, use wood tile on the stairs and over that, a stair strip of carpet similar (not necessarily identical) to carpet you use on second floor of your house. Would bring all your flooring together.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
10 years ago
Quartz might be appropriate with a 'leather' or pitted finish.
nuthinontv
10 years ago
The reason I asked about the material is that they appeared to be concrete. Why not use an appropriate treatment with a myriad of color options and is aesthetically beautiful? And why bother with tile at all? A Tadelakt finish over the concrete would be a simple and refined choice, especially given its location. This would suit very well.

Glenshaw Mansions · More Info

More examples

http://pin.it/ubCNVhG
PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
10 years ago
Because the stairs are concrete, and you are working with a highly textured 'wood look tile' you can install tiles on the treads and paint out the risers. The upper floor would start at the top of the landing - well out of sight of the main level.

Tiles are normally NOT installed on stairs but your in a different situation. You have concrete stairs (which can handle the weight of tile) and the tiles you are using are HIGHLY textured which means they will be low-slip. These two things put together will work on stairs.

Have fun. Make sure you can get the matching bull-nose tiles for the edge of the stairs.
PRO
Cinar Interiors, Inc.
10 years ago
If you choose to do a natural stone on the treads I would recommend you giving them an acid wash prior to finish out. The acid wash will etch the stone giving you better traction for less slippage for each step.