A staircase is an important structural element of a building, whether it is a home or a business space. Stone stairs blend in well with the rest of the living space. Besides their function, they also have an aesthetic role: they serve as decoration and are a centrepiece of the home. Cladding stairs in natural stone is an excellent decision, as a staircase is part of almost every home.

It takes quite a lot of know-how and imagination to adapt a staircase properly to your living space. For cladding stairs – outdoor and indoor – natural stone is an excellent choice that can completely change the look of any room. A single detail is enough to give your home a luxurious, elegant look.

Why stone stairs? The advantages

• Every natural stone is one of a kind.
• A very big advantage of stone stairs is their durability. Other building materials break or chip, while with natural stone, as long as it is worked properly, this is very unlikely, as it is extremely durable and hard-wearing.
• With their function and beauty, stone stairs satisfy even the most demanding customers, and the value for money is excellent.
• Stone stairs are also a good choice because they are easy to maintain. They last a long time, as each tread and each riser is made from one piece, which means there are no joints.
• Stone stairs are very resistant to different weather conditions and temperature changes.
• They absorb very little water.
• They are very easy to maintain and clean: all you need is a soft cloth and water.
• The value for money is just right.

Choosing stone for cladding stairs

Once the staircase has been cast in concrete, the construction phase ends and the final decorative work begins. As we mentioned above, it is very important that the stairs are not slippery, so you need to make sure the stone surface has been finished correctly. There is a big difference between the staircase in a shopping centre and the one we use at home. When you choose the material, pay special attention to how much traffic the stairs will carry, as personal taste and looks alone are not enough here.

As a customer, you should know at least some of the special features and types of natural stone. At Marnit, for making stone stairs we most often use granite, marble, limestone, sandstone … These are rocks, or natural materials, that resist all kinds of loads and weather, are not sensitive to temperature changes and are easy to maintain and clean: all you need is a broom and a bucket of clean water.
 
Right now, the real favourites are stone staircases clad in marble, mainly because of their striking look. Marble is best for stairs that do not see too much traffic, so it is the right choice for private homes. After fitting, we recommend treating the stone surfaces with sealants to stop them absorbing water and other dirt, which keeps cleaning and maintenance easy.

Because of its decorative character and the variety of colours and patterns, granite is recommended over even the harder marbles inside buildings such as hotels, blocks of flats, banks, offices, shopping centres and business premises that see heavy foot traffic every day.

Types of stone suitable for stone stairs:

Granite – This is one of the most popular natural stones for stairs. Why? It is a hard-wearing material that is not affected by stains, chemical or mechanical damage, or heat. It comes in many textures, patterns and colour shades. Polished granite is usually used indoors and flamed granite outdoors, as it is anti-slip.

Marble – Marble stairs stand for prestige and timeless elegance, as they raise the aesthetic value of a building. Marble is easy to work into all kinds of shapes, so you can have a staircase that is truly one of a kind. Marble is suitable mainly for indoor use, as it is softer and needs a little more maintenance. With the right protection, a marble staircase will keep its original look and shine.

Sandstone – Because of its practical qualities and natural look, sandstone is an excellent choice for a staircase. An entrance reached by beautiful sandstone steps rounds off the exterior design of many architectural projects. It stands out for its durability, strength and wide range of patterns.

Travertine – This is a beautiful choice for both indoor and outdoor stairs. It gives a flawless, elegant look with a rustic touch. It comes in a wide range of earthy colours and distinctive patterns. A staircase made of travertine is durable and resists different weather conditions, and it does not lose its colour, so the beauty of your home does not fade over time.

Quartzite – Because of its excellent resistance to different weather conditions, its hardness and its easy maintenance, quartzite is suitable mainly for outdoor stairs, but it can of course be used indoors too. Light and grey shades dominate, and they add energy to the architecture of a building.

Stone stairs: how they are made

Every staircase made of natural stone is one of a kind, as it is made to order. When making of stone stairs we usually use stone 3 cm thick for the tread and 2 cm thick for the riser. Keep in mind that each tread and riser is made from a single piece and that we have a wide range of colours and patterns, so we are happy to advise you: if the staircase gets little daylight, we suggest lighter shades. You also have different finishing options for stone stairs: polished, brushed, flamed or sandblasted.

Stone stairs win over even the most demanding buyer, as they are high quality, strong and durable, and they give a room a touch of elegance and prestige. We invite you to our showroom in Hoče and together we will make sure your stone stairs are something special!