ᐅ Cladding a Concrete Staircase with Wood | Experience & Costs
Created on: 18 Aug 2022 20:39
C
ConnyJash
Hello everyone,
During the planning of our semi-detached house, we decided on a concrete staircase that we would like to clad with wood. Our inspiration was the staircase of our neighbor, whose semi-detached house was completed about a year ago.
Our idea is as follows:
About a year ago, I budgeted approximately €7,000 for both staircases (materials and installation). This estimate was based on the invoice from our neighbors, who paid about €5,000 at the time. Originally, we wanted to hire the same staircase builder. However, he retired a few months ago, so I am now looking for an alternative. Initial rough estimates from local tradespeople have shown me that this price seems unrealistic. For example, we have received preliminary quotes from two regional contractors. While the first estimate was around €10,000 for beech wood, the second quoted a range of €15,000 to €20,000 (net) for beech. Additionally, there is an offer from a national supplier who manufactures their staircases in Poland, with a price of about €8,500 (net) for ash. All offers include delivery and installation. I expect to receive the exact quotes in 1-2 weeks.
I have little to no knowledge in this area, so I am asking for your advice 🙂
1. What should I consider when cladding a concrete staircase? What criteria should I use to choose the supplier?
2. What should I pay attention to when comparing offers?
3. Is the quality of a staircase from a local craftsman comparable to one made in Poland?
4. Do you have experience with costs and workmanship? What is a realistic price for such a project?
5. Is there anything else I should keep in mind?
Best regards
ConnyJash
During the planning of our semi-detached house, we decided on a concrete staircase that we would like to clad with wood. Our inspiration was the staircase of our neighbor, whose semi-detached house was completed about a year ago.
Our idea is as follows:
- Solid oak tread (40mm (1.6 inches)) laminated in blocks with an overhang
- Riser painted white, for example made of beech (20mm (0.8 inches))
About a year ago, I budgeted approximately €7,000 for both staircases (materials and installation). This estimate was based on the invoice from our neighbors, who paid about €5,000 at the time. Originally, we wanted to hire the same staircase builder. However, he retired a few months ago, so I am now looking for an alternative. Initial rough estimates from local tradespeople have shown me that this price seems unrealistic. For example, we have received preliminary quotes from two regional contractors. While the first estimate was around €10,000 for beech wood, the second quoted a range of €15,000 to €20,000 (net) for beech. Additionally, there is an offer from a national supplier who manufactures their staircases in Poland, with a price of about €8,500 (net) for ash. All offers include delivery and installation. I expect to receive the exact quotes in 1-2 weeks.
I have little to no knowledge in this area, so I am asking for your advice 🙂
1. What should I consider when cladding a concrete staircase? What criteria should I use to choose the supplier?
2. What should I pay attention to when comparing offers?
3. Is the quality of a staircase from a local craftsman comparable to one made in Poland?
4. Do you have experience with costs and workmanship? What is a realistic price for such a project?
5. Is there anything else I should keep in mind?
Best regards
ConnyJash
ateliersiegel23 Aug 2022 17:01I find the earlier argument "A concrete staircase supports itself" very convincing. There is no need for a "load-bearing" material, just a surface.
Wood works, of course, but something mineral-based feels more appropriate for concrete... and if wood is used, it only needs to be thin.
Right now, I’m doing something I usually dislike: not answering the question, but questioning it instead... No offense intended...
And if the risers are painted white, another material could be used for them... painting the concrete, applying white tiles, or something similar... I believe materials should always be suitably adapted to their purpose and location.
Another thought that comes to mind: the noise. I really like our wooden staircase, but when you sweep it, the sound of the broom hitting the risers is always kind of annoying... loud and hollow.
Wood works, of course, but something mineral-based feels more appropriate for concrete... and if wood is used, it only needs to be thin.
Right now, I’m doing something I usually dislike: not answering the question, but questioning it instead... No offense intended...
And if the risers are painted white, another material could be used for them... painting the concrete, applying white tiles, or something similar... I believe materials should always be suitably adapted to their purpose and location.
Another thought that comes to mind: the noise. I really like our wooden staircase, but when you sweep it, the sound of the broom hitting the risers is always kind of annoying... loud and hollow.
I just checked again:
We have a wooden staircase between the ground floor and first floor, but for the basement to ground floor, we have a prefabricated staircase (that’s just how it was).
To make both look the same, our staircase builder also made the basement stairs’ treads and risers 40mm (1.6 inches) thick finger-jointed beech: 15 steps for €3200 net (2021). However, the installation of the stairs was listed separately, so that is not included in this price. Proportionally, the installation for the basement stairs would probably cost around €800 extra.
We have a wooden staircase between the ground floor and first floor, but for the basement to ground floor, we have a prefabricated staircase (that’s just how it was).
To make both look the same, our staircase builder also made the basement stairs’ treads and risers 40mm (1.6 inches) thick finger-jointed beech: 15 steps for €3200 net (2021). However, the installation of the stairs was listed separately, so that is not included in this price. Proportionally, the installation for the basement stairs would probably cost around €800 extra.
C
ConnyJash24 Aug 2022 10:20@ateliersiegel & @Tolentino: It is definitely possible to plaster and paint the riser. However, every carpenter/stair builder we have spoken to has advised against it. The reasons given include that plaster is more delicate than a painted wooden step. Especially with small children, it would become dirty quickly and would no longer look good. Cleaning is also easier with a painted step.
@DaHias81: Thanks for the price information. Based on assessments in the forum combined with the initial quotes, I now have a rough idea of the cost for covering the step with wood. Your price is quite close to the offer from Poland.
Otherwise, I am waiting for the other quotes and will get back once I have them.
@DaHias81: Thanks for the price information. Based on assessments in the forum combined with the initial quotes, I now have a rough idea of the cost for covering the step with wood. Your price is quite close to the offer from Poland.
Otherwise, I am waiting for the other quotes and will get back once I have them.
ateliersiegel24 Aug 2022 22:53This would get dirty after a short time and would no longer look nice. Cleaning is also easier with a painted step.
... unless it is tiled.
However, a concrete surface could also be smoothly ground and painted (like wood) and might be easier to produce. Wood moves (as long as it exists), so the resulting gaps need to be accounted for in the construction. This is simpler with a mineral surface.
But it is probably also important that the craftsman responsible for the work considers the method sensible ... otherwise, it can become "troublesome" 😉
... unless it is tiled.
However, a concrete surface could also be smoothly ground and painted (like wood) and might be easier to produce. Wood moves (as long as it exists), so the resulting gaps need to be accounted for in the construction. This is simpler with a mineral surface.
But it is probably also important that the craftsman responsible for the work considers the method sensible ... otherwise, it can become "troublesome" 😉
Similar topics