There are lots of reasons why homeowners might opt for laminate flooring. It looks great in any room, can cope with regular wear and tear and is a more affordable option than other hard floors. For this reason, many people choose to have the same laminate flooring throughout their kitchen, living room and hallway. Yet, when it comes to laying the floor, the stairs might feel like a sticking point.
Particularly if you’re laying the laminate floor yourself, you might be worried about getting a quality finish that flows naturally up your stairway. Or you may have other concerns over safety, noise and repairs. To help you decide whether laminate is right for your stairs, we’ve pulled together expert advice.
Why Choose Laminate for Halls and Stairways?
Hall and stairways are one of the most high-traffic areas of any home. Typically the main entrance and exit, your housemates, family and guests will be regularly walking up and down these areas. They might also be walking in with their outdoor shoes on or repeatedly heading up and down the stairs over the course of the day.
As laminate is highly durable and resistant to scratches and scuffs, it is unlikely to get damaged under the heavy foot traffic. Unlike carpet and less hardwearing solid floors, which can quickly look worn and dirty, laminate will retain its attractive looks with minimal maintenance.
Pros and Cons of Laminate for Stairs
Beyond being durable, there are lots of advantages to installing laminate on a stairway, including:
- Being one of the most affordable hard floor options in terms of upfront cost. Plus if you get a good quality product with a long warranty, it can last up to 30 years, giving you great return on investment
- Lots of colour and effect options to choose from, meaning you can find a style that suits your interior design and lifestyle, e.g. a darker wood might be preferable for households with pets and children
- Straightforward installation with the right preparation, equipment and steps, meaning you can do a DIY fitting and save even more your new floor
- Easy and quick to clean with a soft brush and a mop, making it ideal for busy households who want minimal flooring upkeep or maintenance
- Having the same flooring throughout your downstairs area or even your whole house, allowing for a continuous, stylish interior design
Although all the above reasons may be enough for you to settle on laminate flooring, there are a few drawbacks to keep in mind. As a hard, smooth floor, laminate can also be slippery, which can make it more difficult for pets and young children to walk on, particularly when going up the stairs. This flooring can also be noisier than other types, which can quickly become annoying as people clamber up and down a stairway.
Plus, if a laminate floor is installed incorrectly, the edges or corners of planks can catch and chip or snap. When this happens, they can be difficult and costly to repair. However, by laying your laminate flooring correctly and repairing any problems as quickly as possible, you can keep it looking great and prevent further damage.
Installing Laminate on Stairs
Once you’ve got the right tools together and figured out how much laminate you need, installing the floor in your main rooms is a straightforward DIY job. Although it may require a bit of extra thinking and a few extra steps, laying laminate on a stairway isn’t too complicated.
Choose Flooring Carefully
If you’re using the same laminate flooring throughout your home, you should consider how it will look on your staircase before you make your final purchase. Alongside its appearance, you need to consider the thickness and width of your laminate product.
Thicker planks will have more cushioning, making them softer and less noisy underfoot. Measure the length of each step alongside the riser height and tread depth. From this, you can figure out if your planks are long and wide enough to meet your needs. It’ll also ensure you buy enough material and get a consistent finish without creating too much waste.
Floor Preparations
Just like with the rest of your floor, you need to remove any existing materials (including underlay) from your staircase. You should also get rid of any nails, adhesives and paint before vacuuming and wiping down your stairs. This will give you a completely clean and dry surface to work with.
Remove Overhang
Removing any protruding overhang (nosing) is also important to give you a square edge to work with when laying your laminate floor. Cut any existing materials off using a jigsaw or fill the gap with hardboard using glue and nails. This gives you a clean base to install squared-off steps or new nosing which matches or complements your floor.
Put Down Underlay
Installing an underlay with a laminate floor is usually recommended to offer comfort underfoot and help with heat and noise insulation on your stairs. Make sure you choose an underlay which is suitable for your floor, such as ones with sound reduction or a damp proof membrane properties.
Then, measure each step’s width, tread depth and riser height. You can then use these to cut out the individual sections from the underlay sheet. When securing the underlay to the step (using glue or nails) ensure it’s taught and flat. This will give you a completely flat surface to lay your laminate on.
Cut and Prepare New Laminate
Using the measurements you’ve taken from each step, you then need to cut out the tread and riser pieces from your laminate planks. It’s likely you’ll need to use more than one plank for each tread and riser, which you can then glue together. If you’re using nosing, make sure you leave a gap on the tread to fit this. Plus, before you glue anything down, lay the pieces loose along the step to make sure each edge fits neatly.
Lay New Tread
Start by laying the tread of each step. If you’ve used more than one plank for a tread, glue these pieces together first. Then, starting from the top of your staircase, apply three beads of wood glue onto the back of each tread piece. Fit it so it's tight to the back of your tread and has the tongue edge facing outwards.
Fit the Riser
Once your tread pieces have dried, use the same process to glue your riser to the front of your step. You’ll need to hold each piece in place while it dries. For a more secure fit, you can nail in small pins at the top of your riser piece. This will then be covered by your nosing trim.
Fit the Stair Nosing
Once the riser is dry, you can fit on your nosing piece. Measure out each length and cut to size. Depending on the type you’re using, it may self adhere to the tread, need to apply glue to the tread before fitting the edge or you pin it in place before gluing over a strip. The tapered end should overlap the tread piece.
Leave to Settle
When all pieces are glued into place, it’s worth leaving it for at least 12 hours to settle. Otherwise, the planks could shift or be damaged by any movement. After a day, give the floor a sweep, vacuum or mop to ensure it's completely clean.
Get the Laminate You Want
When installed correctly in rooms or up staircases, laminate floors look stylish and last for a long time. To find an option that suits your look and lifestyle, alongside suitable nosing and underlay, get in touch with our team or order a free sample from our range.