Covering a metal staircase with wood. Finishing a metal staircase with wood: we cover it with our own hands How to cover a staircase from the back side

The most effective design solution when decorating the interior of a room is a combination of metal and wood. External attractiveness and high strength, a large selection of color and stylistic solutions, a feeling of unusual grace and elegance - all this determines the incomparable popularity of metal-wooden structures. The article will tell you how to finish a metal staircase with wood.

Before finishing a metal staircase with wood, you should familiarize yourself with the features of this design.

These include:

  • High strength;
  • Possibility of combination with other materials;
  • Possibility of making a model of any complexity;
  • Attractive price. The cost of a structure on a metal frame is slightly more expensive than a similar wooden one.
  • Wood finishing of metal stairs is made from thinner panels that do not carry any loads;
  • No creaking steps. The main supporting structure is a metal frame in which the elements are connected by welding. High-quality welds last a long time, but do not dry out from humidity and do not become loose with time of use, as happens with wood;
  • Possibility of installation in two stages. The installation of a metal frame can be done after the construction of the floor, temporary steps can be laid from cheap boards and the upper floor can be finished. And finishing the iron staircase with wood can be done already at the final stage of home design.

Advice: When deciding to cover the stairs yourself with wood or MDF panels, you should definitely prepare the surface and treat the front finish with an antiseptic.

The metal also wears out, it must be thoroughly cleaned and coated with a composition to protect surfaces from corrosion, especially welding seams.

In this case, stairs can be made entirely of metal, without facing cladding. But much more often the structure contains only a metal frame onto which boards can be easily attached.

Material for covering the structure

Cladding a metal staircase with wood can be done using various types of wood.

The best options for cladding are products made from:

  • Oak, which attracts with its high strength and durability, variety of colors: from soft yellow flowers to red-brown tones;

Tip: Finishing the metal frame of a staircase with oak wood has one peculiarity: over time, the solid wood darkens a little, acquiring a deep, noble color, which should be taken into account when performing work.

  • Ash, it is not inferior in strength to oak. Wood with a pronounced texture and a noble grayish tint;
  • Buka, symbolizing elegance and sophistication of style. Wood is distinguished by its visual appeal, uniform texture and durability. Can perfectly imitate mahogany;
  • Hornbeam. When wood is properly dried, it becomes much harder than oak or beech. At the same time, the material remains quite pliable and quite easy to work with;
  • Conifers. The cladding of the structure from below can be done mainly with coniferous wood. Cedar or pine do not have high technical performance. Therefore, the material is used only in places where there is no need to use more expensive materials with high performance properties;
  • Exotic wood species such as wenge, merbau, teak. Incredibly diverse color palette. They can differ: lemon yellow tones, rich purples, deep reds, browns and blacks. In addition to color, finishing an iron staircase with wood of such species is characterized by sufficient strength and a long service life.

If necessary, stain is used to tint the wood. In this case, a light type of wood is purchased, it is cheaper than valuable types of wood, and by impregnation it turns into a copy of expensive solid wood. The video in this article will show you how to do this.

Tip: Do not use pine to make steps. Despite its low cost, availability and flexibility during machining, the material is too soft and will poorly withstand destructive factors from significant load on the structure.

In addition to natural wood, its analogue is used - MDF sheets. The external cladding of the panels is made of veneer and its artificial substitutes. The protective film of the material includes several layers of varnish. A good option is to use laminate.

To decorate metal stairs, wood trim is an ideal option.

Criteria for choosing a metal staircase finish

Cladding a metal staircase with wood is a decorative design for the frame.

Advice: When finishing a structure, you should use materials that can significantly improve its technical characteristics.

Before finishing an iron staircase with wood, the appropriate type of wood is selected.

The purchase of rock for cladding is influenced by such design parameters as:

  • Metal staircase shape;
  • Which contingent will use it;
  • Sound insulation of the structure.

The choice of material for cladding also depends on the room where metal stairs trimmed with wood are installed - in the living room or hallway.

Metal structure cladding technology

If you need to decorate a metal staircase with wood yourself, a video tutorial will tell you how to do it correctly. The process of carrying out the work does not require specific skills; it can be dealt with by following all the recommendations of specialists.

So, here is a brief instruction that will help you get an answer to the question: “How to trim a metal staircase with wood?”:

  • All wooden parts are attached to a metal ladder. To do this, the elements are fixed to the frame with self-tapping screws;
  • A wooden tread is installed on the top of the frame;
  • The riser is installed;
  • Similar elements are fixed on the remaining steps;

Tip: To increase the safety of movement on stairs, it is necessary to chamfer all wooden parts installed on the steps.

  • Balusters are installed and secured with studs;
  • The remaining parts of the metal structure are covered;
  • Iron stairs covered with wood are treated with an antiseptic, then covered with stain and varnished.

Methods for installing step cladding

Before sheathing an iron staircase with wood, you should choose a method for installing the material.

For covering steps you can use:

  • Self-tapping screws. To do this, holes are drilled on the back side of the metal part of the step and screws are tightened through them so that they do not show on the front side of the step, but securely hold the wooden slab in place;
  • On a wooden frame. On metal structures this method is used quite rarely - most often to level the surface. The sheathing parts are laid on the prepared wooden frame of the steps. The boards can be fixed with self-tapping screws, threaded pins, dowels or glued;
  • The steps can be placed on a special glue, but only on a perfectly flat surface.

Preparation of the surface for laying boards also plays an equally important role. With perfectly smooth metal elements, covering an iron staircase with wood can be done after wiping all parts to be finished with a rag. Additionally, a softening underlay can be laid on the base of the step.

If there are small distortions, they must be eliminated by constructing a frame. After this, the steps around the perimeter are sheathed with boards 25 - 50 mm thick. If the steps are significantly wide, cross bars are added in their center.

Exterior decoration of the staircase

In addition to covering the steps, the external finishing of the metal frame of the staircase is carried out on the outside of the string, along a pre-constructed sheathing, as can be seen in the photo.

  • This finishing option is not required for stairs made on a central support, where there are no stringers, nor is it needed for forged models.
  • To decorate metal with wood on the outside, you should first consider where the panels will be fixed.
  • The best options may be the construction of a wooden frame from planks, or a structure from an aluminum profile, which is used to fasten drywall.
  • The boards must be positioned so that their edges are in the middle of the frame. The sheathing is fixed to the frame with self-tapping screws.
  • The fastener caps are subsequently covered with mastic and tinted; sometimes you can limit yourself to glue. The best option is to use metal pins, but this method cannot be used for boards of any thickness.

Thus, you can decorate a metal staircase with wood yourself; the video shows in detail all the work with all the nuances.

Conclusion

Wood is a noble and durable material, ideal for finishing a house and any structures in it. The excellent aesthetic qualities of wood allow you to transform the metal frame of the staircase, give it an elegant look, and create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort in the room. That is why metal stairs trimmed with wood are so popular today.

Stairs on metal frames are increasingly replacing traditional wooden structures from residential interiors. This is facilitated by a number of advantages of metal stairs.


However, the appearance of a steel staircase, harmoniously combined with the interior of a production or warehouse space, is difficult to fit into the decoration of a living space. Of course, if you are planning the interior of a home in a high-tech style, then chromed metal will be, as they say, “in the theme,” but in most cases, metal structures look like alien inclusions in traditional interiors and need to be disguised. Let's look at the main ways to decorate stairs on steel frames with your own hands.

Wood paneling (photo) is perhaps the most common way to disguise a metal frame in private cottages. A significant advantage of this method is that wood and metal complement each other favorably - the metal does not bend under the weight, and the wooden covering of the steps, due to its fibrous structure, practically does not “trample down”. In addition, wooden panels are not slippery, which is important for external stairs.


Solid wood has sufficient strength to serve as a material not only for finishing, but also for the manufacture of the entire step. The wooden step is inserted into the groove of the bowstring or placed on a steel riser made from an angle or channel.


Wood is also widely used as a material for handrails. The combination of wooden handrails with forged metal plaques will give the interior a strict aristocracy.


If desired, you can sheathe a metal staircase with entire solid wood panels, which will create the complete illusion of an all-wood staircase, as in the photo.


Laminate finishing

Despite all its undoubted advantages, solid wood is expensive and difficult to process; it is better to entrust work with solid wood panels to professionals. For covering the stairs with your own hands, a more inexpensive option is better - laminate.

A multilayer high-strength wood-fiber material, finished with a decorative film that replicates the appearance of solid wood, which is called laminate, is much cheaper, lighter and easier to process than solid wood. Of course, this came at the cost of some reduction in quality, but this can be considered a completely reasonable compromise - it is unlikely that hundreds of feet will step on the steps in your home.


Fiberboard even has some advantages over solid wood. In particular, better sound insulation (in some brands a separate layer is responsible for sound insulation), which is especially important when covering metal structures. In addition, wood begins to creak over time; this feature is combated by laying a sheet of plywood between the solid wood and the frame. Laminate does not have this drawback from the start.


You can decorate the facade of a building using various materials that are manufactured for the purpose of external decoration of walls. Popular external coatings include: plaster, brick, stone, siding, and hanging structures.

The most unpretentious and at the same time durable material is siding. A prefabricated structure made of various types of panels is a decorative design for walls, and is durable and environmentally friendly.

Panels can be made of metal (or steel), polyvinyl chloride, ceramic, acrylic.

In this article we will tell you how to cover a house with metal siding with your own hands.

To properly install metal siding, you must first prepare the walls.: clean debris from them, seal cracks (if any), cover with a primer mixture. Inspection of the walls is important: you should check the perpendicularity of the corners, the vertical and horizontal lines of the wall (check by level and plumb line).

At the stage of preparatory work, the markings should be applied correctly: the quality of installation of the metal cladding depends on how correctly it is done.

In addition, it is important to properly prepare the cladding material itself: it is necessary to cut and cut the panels for further work.

The metal sheets are covered with protective foam, which must be removed before starting work. If a panel with a protective film is left in the sun, it will be quite difficult to remove it, since under the influence of sunlight the film sticks to the surface even more.

House with metal siding

Siding cover kit

In addition to the main covering - metal siding panels - it is necessary to purchase components for the complete design of the cladding:

  • Cornice strips. Necessary for the design of window and door openings, as well as for the design of panel joints;
  • window trims. For the design of slopes of openings and windows;
  • external corners. For decoration of external corners;
  • internal corners. To design internal joining corners of panels;
  • starting bar. To create a lower support and guide under the siding panels;
  • finishing bar. To design the top (finish) panel;
  • soffits. For decoration of the cornice part of the facade and overhangs;
  • connecting strips. To design connecting adjacent planks;
  • J-bar. For decoration of windows and doorways.

NOTE!

When purchasing siding panels, you should immediately purchase components. It is recommended that all materials be selected from the same manufacturer: in this case there will be a complete match of elements in fastenings and a complete match in color.

If you take additional elements from other manufacturers, the color and dimensions may not match.

Metal siding is divided into the following types:

Equipment

Preparing tools

Despite the fact that installation of metal siding is done manually and does not require special equipment, You should still stock up on the necessary tools:

  • Tin scissors (or metal saw) for cutting panels;
  • a puncher for making mounting holes (or a punch);
  • a screwdriver for screwing in self-tapping screws;
  • hammer (if using nails for fastening);
  • a drill attachment for screwing in self-tapping screws with a seal;
  • tape measure (preferably fabric, so that the metal tape measure does not damage the panel coating);
  • level (preferably laser or other long);
  • a plumb line to track the verticality of walls and sheathing;
  • square (wooden or plastic if possible).

You should also stock up on protective equipment: glasses, gloves. It is necessary to purchase self-tapping screws and a small can of paint similar in color to the panels to paint over accidentally damaged parts of the material.

CAREFULLY!

You should not use a grinder to cut metal siding panels: the tool can damage the protective polymer layer, which will lead to corrosion of the material.

Tools

Wall sheathing for siding

Cladding panels should be mounted on pre-installed sheathing. The sheathing can be made of metal profiles or wooden beams.

If wooden guides are used, they should be prepared: dried, treated with special agents against the formation of mold, mildew, beetles and coated with protective agents against moisture.

Metal profiles are most often used under metal siding: it can withstand the load more reliably (metal siding has sufficient weight), is durable, and also does not require additional processing.

For wood sheathing, use beams with a cross section of 5x5 cm. It is permissible to make a metal lathing from a metal profile, which is used for installing drywall.

Installation of the sheathing begins with the lower and upper guides, as well as from the corners.

The direction of the frame lines under the siding is determined in accordance with the laying of the panels: when the panels are arranged vertically, the guides are fastened horizontally and vice versa: when the panels are laid horizontally, the sheathing is performed vertically. The sheathing pitch is recommended to be from 30 to 50 centimeters.

Around the windows, bars (or metal profiles) are mounted close to the window. The lathing around doorways is done in a similar way.

Lathing

Waterproofing, vapor barrier, wall insulation

A layer of waterproofing is installed under the metal siding on the insulation.: water that gets under the roof ridge in the form of snow or rain flows down the walls.

At the same time, when it hits the waterproofing layer, it falls down to the foundation and into the drainage system. At the same time, the waterproofing layer protects the insulation, it also does not prevent vapors from escaping from the room.

If there is no insulation, it is still necessary to install waterproofing under the metal siding.

Along with the waterproofing layer, it is recommended to lay a vapor barrier layer under the insulation to remove wet vapors from the side of the building and protect the insulation from them.

In cases where the building is built from materials with vapor-tight properties, a vapor barrier is not installed. But in this case, it is contraindicated to insulate from the inside: there is a high probability of the insulation getting wet.

Under metal siding, mineral wool or glass wool is most often used as an insulating layer.: they insulate well and are good sound insulators.

The insulation is placed tightly between the sheathing guides over the entire area of ​​the facade without gaps between the joints. Installation is carried out on a vapor barrier membrane. A waterproofing film is attached to the top. Next, the siding is installed.

Vapor barrier

Installing starter siding strip

Before you begin laying the main siding sheets, you must install a starting strip. To do this, you need to determine its location.

The starting bar should be 40 centimeters higher from the bottom horizontal line of the building. To secure the starting strip evenly, you should draw a line along the entire perimeter of the building on which the starting strip will be attached.

To attach the plank, you should attach it to the marked line with the upper edge and secure it with self-tapping screws in the wall. This option is suitable for a wooden wall.

If the walls are concrete or brick, then, having attached the plank to the intended line, you should mark the fastening points and drill holes for the dowels, and then fasten the plank with self-tapping screws by screwing them into the dowel.

When attaching the starting strip, a gap of several millimeters should be made between the ends to prevent deformation of the coating.

The pitch of fastening the starting strip should be up to 40 mm.

Installing the starting bar

Setting internal and external corners

Any angles must be set in strict accordance with the vertical line. If the angle deviates even by a few degrees, the entire structure will be uneven and incorrect.

When installing a corner (internal or external), you should retreat from the top edge of the facade about six millimeters and down from the starting strip - about 8 mm.

In order to evenly fasten the corner strip, it should be applied to the fastening point, fixed in a strictly vertical position, first on the two upper screws (not tightly), and then screw in the remaining fasteners sequentially from below.

The corner elements should not be fastened tightly enough with self-tapping screws (leaving a gap of 1-2 mm).

If you screw the screws in very tightly, the metal sheet may subsequently become deformed.

If it is necessary to lengthen the corner element, then an overlap of 2.5 centimeters is made by placing the upper part on the lower one. The peculiarity of the joining for all corner parts is the execution of the joining seam at the same level.

Setting obtuse angles

Installation of H-profile

H-profile for metal siding is an element that serves as a design for the joints of the main cladding panels.

Installation of the H-profile is not difficult: the main thing is to correctly calculate its location.

Installation is carried out similarly to the corner elements: first, the upper screws are attached, then other screws are screwed in along the entire perforation in 4-cm increments. In this case, it is necessary to indent a few millimeters above the cornice and retreat down from the starting strip - 6 mm.

To lengthen the H-profile, the profiles are joined with an overlap (the upper part overlaps the lower by 2.5 cm). It is recommended to join the profiles at the same level so as not to disturb the decorative design.

Installing the H-connector

How to get around window and doorways

J-profile is used to design window and door openings. You can use special platbands.

The depth of window openings (including door openings) can be different, which is why installation is carried out differently.

Windows that are located in a recess in the wall are designed similarly to the corners.

If windows and doorways are located on the same line with the wall, then you should use elements designed for this purpose - aprons - to decorate them.

Installation of the apron begins from the bottom of the window recess. Next, its side parts are attached. It should be taken into account that the side elements should be located on top of the bottom bar. The top bar should overlap the side elements.

NOTE!

When using a J-profile, installation is carried out with an overlap. With this type of fastening, two side strips should be used, as well as an upper and lower one.

Without decorative design of openings (both window and door), a mark is made on the profile located at a distance equal to two lengths of the width and height of the opening.

Doorways are designed in a similar way.

Installation of window openings

How to attach siding

To ensure that the cladding does not deform and the panels hold securely and firmly, When installing, you should be guided by some fastening rules:

  • The self-tapping screw should be fastened with a gap of up to two millimeters to ensure free expansion of the material. In this case, deformation of the sheets can be avoided;
  • Rubber washers should be placed under the screw heads;
  • You should use self-tapping screws that are treated with a coating that protects hardware from corrosion;
  • the panels should be fastened to each other using specially designed locks that snap into place, making the seams airtight;
  • the step of fastening elements should be no more than 40 centimeters.

In addition to securely fastening the panels in the area of ​​corners, window and door openings, it is advisable to lay insulation to prevent moisture vapor from entering the structure.

Correct fastening

Laying siding panels

Installation of panels, regardless of direction, starts from the corner. The first panel must be brought around the corner and inserted with the end part into the starting strip.

The required opening is cut out under the windows and the panels are installed sequentially in rows.

This is how the entire front part of the siding is laid out up to the penultimate row. Next, the finishing strip is installed.

Laying the last row and finishing

After completing the installation of the penultimate row, you should then attach the finishing strip. The distance to the last row of siding panels is measured from the edge of the plank. The strip should be bent so that it fits into the lock on the bottom of the panel.

In this way, the entire last row of covering on the facade is designed. Next, if necessary, install panels on the gables.

Installation of finishing strips

Conclusion

Thus, installation of metal siding is done quite quickly and reliably. The quality of the cladding also depends on how correctly the material and components are selected and how correctly they are fixed. In addition, the installation instructions for all parts of the structure should be used.

Useful video

In this video you will learn how to install metal siding:

In contact with

Designers very widely use a method in which a combination of metal parts and wood is used as a basis. This also affected the stairs. To make the structure durable, a metal frame is made; beauty and aesthetics are achieved by decorating the surfaces with wooden elements. To answer the question of how to cover a metal staircase with wood, it is necessary to study the properties of the materials used for finishing and their technical characteristics. It is necessary to understand why metal and wood have the best combination and how harmony is achieved.

The metal frame of the staircase is very reliable and durable, and the wooden paneling adds aesthetic function.

Before covering a metal staircase, you first need to select the appropriate design. There are several ways to answer the question: how to sheathe a metal staircase? You can decorate the frame of a staircase with wood in different ways. You can make a staircase with steps and decorate it with railings finished in wood.

Nuances of universal designs

Natural wood has always created comfort and coziness in the house. We can safely say that wood harmoniously combines with any interior, however, the frame of a wooden staircase does not have much strength, it is short-lived. Using a metal staircase frame as a supporting structure will be much stronger and more durable. Such a ladder can withstand a lot of pressure and can have a variety of shapes.

Metal stairs look very impressive, but if they do not have cladding, they look unaesthetic. Moreover, cladding helps reduce injuries in residential buildings.

Upon closer examination and study of facing materials, the conclusion suggests itself: to cover a metal frame, you need to use good wood.

The staircase frame is made mainly from light metals with high strength properties. Hardwood is used to cover the treads. Other parts that wear out much less are sheathed with inexpensive and less hard wood.

The staircase covering is done partially when the steel frame is not completely covered. In most cases, complete cladding is made. The metal base on which the wooden steps are held is attached to special strings.

What material to choose for cladding?

To highlight the natural beauty, choose solid oak. Such a tree will be an excellent sound insulator; the staircase will become more attractive and original.

Different types of wood and the developed design entail certain financial investments. The project can be very expensive, but the cost does not always affect the result obtained.

The most popular varieties of wood species are:

  1. Oak. Very durable, can serve for a long time. Has a wide range of colors. Over time it begins to darken. This makes it more attractive and luxurious.
  2. Beech. Elegant and sophisticated wood. It has a high density, very durable wood.
  3. Hornbeam. After prolonged drying, its hardness exceeds that of oak. This wood is also called white beech. Such wood can be poisoned and is quite easy to process.
  4. Ash. The characteristics of the tree are similar to those of oak. Has high strength and wear resistance.
  5. Teak. It is distinguished by high strength and beautiful color shades.
  6. Coniferous trees are used for sheathing risers and stair railing parts, that is, in places where high strength and wear resistance are not needed. Such wood includes pine, cedar, etc.

It must be said that the wood must have excellent drying. The humidity level should not exceed 12%. If this indicator is higher, then the tree may “lead”. There should be no cracks in the wood. Each wooden element must be impregnated with an antiseptic so that the process of rotting does not begin.

To work you will need the following tool:

  • screwdriver;
  • screws;
  • rubber hammer;
  • carpentry tools designed for cutting threads on wooden surfaces;
  • plane;
  • level;
  • ruler;
  • pencil;
  • pins for attaching balusters.

Technology of work execution

To make the cladding of a metal staircase, you need to know certain rules and procedures for the production of cladding work. First of all you need to determine:

  • staircase system;
  • type of wood;
  • design;
  • railing material.

Then you need to measure the frame where the steps are attached and determine the dimensions of the risers. In some cases, they may differ slightly from the dimensions of the frame made. According to the measurements taken, a sheet of plywood is taken, a backing is cut out, which is placed under the treads. Using plywood, the slight slope of the metal frame is eliminated. After which the step parts are made. To make it more convenient to attach the risers, craftsmen advise making the treads a little wider than the metal frame.

The plywood backing is secured with mounting adhesive. The treads are pre-installed, securing them on both sides, then the risers are screwed to the frame parts. The heads of the screws need to be hidden; they are covered with mastic or covered with special furniture plugs.

In the next step, the stair railing is installed. It is attached to the treads or, if width allows, to the end of the march.

The next operation will be attaching the metal frame and wooden parts. A screwdriver is used for this purpose. Preliminary markings are made on those parts where the fastening will be performed. To do this, you need to place the part on a specific section of the metal staircase and make marks with an ordinary soft pencil. Each step must be equal to a specific part of the staircase.

Fastening begins with steps. They need to be fastened so that they protrude slightly forward, approximately 1 cm. This will look very beautiful and create maximum safety. Working with a screwdriver should start from the top, slowly moving down. When the last step is screwed on, you need to check the structure for strength. How level the steps are installed will be determined by the plumb line.

Steps that have wooden elements that protrude slightly beyond the metal surface look very nice.

It is advisable to use hardwood for overlays.

To avoid chipping the sheathing, you need to chamfer the entire area of ​​the wooden panels, all corners should be round.

Balusters must be installed at the edges of the steps along the entire length of the stairs. When the level shows absolute verticality, the balusters are fixed with special pins. Then the railings are attached.

When staircase structures are made, it is possible to combine metal and wood. For metal parts, even scrap metal will do. You will only need to choose the most suitable option so that it fully meets your functional, aesthetic and financial capabilities.

The most common option for covering a staircase is cladding it with wood. This is one of the most practical and win-win options. Such a staircase fits perfectly into any interior, and can not only fulfill its main tasks, but also serve as a separate interior object. A stylish, well-designed staircase will decorate any room. What cladding methods exist, and most importantly, how is a metal staircase covered with wood? After reading this article, you will find answers to all these questions.

Combination of metal and wood

Experts say that the selection and design of a staircase should be taken with the utmost seriousness and responsibility, because this is an object connecting two floors, so it must be as durable as possible, with a long service life, and most importantly, reliable.

Important! If we talk about strength and reliability, then in this case the undisputed leader is a ladder on a metal base. It fully meets all requirements and is designed to serve for decades.

A staircase on a metal base is much more advantageous than concrete structures, due to its:

  • lightness;
  • reliability;
  • durability;
  • elegance;
  • high variability.

However, everyone knows that metal is a very cold material, devoid of comfort. Since the ladder is used for ascent and descent and requires the presence of height, it is worth mentioning the risk of injury to metal. All these disadvantages can be eliminated very simply - by covering the metal staircase with wood.

Important! Wood, unlike metal, is a warm and cozy material. Wooden stairs go well with any interior style, you just need to choose the right design. By sheathing the stairs with wood, you reduce the risk of injury to the structure, create additional comfort of movement, while maintaining the strength of the structure and not reducing its service life at all.

Metal and wood are an excellent combination and absolutely the right decision when choosing the material from which your staircase will be made.

Cladding material

If, after much deliberation, you have finally decided on wood cladding, then you should figure out what kind of wood is best to cover the stairs with. One of the materials for cladding is MDF panels, they are pre-cut according to a given template, then attached to a metal frame . However, this is not the best option. The best material for a home is natural wood, because it is environmentally friendly and safe.

When choosing wood, you should understand that depending on the variety, it differs in its density, durability and texture. What type of wood to choose for cladding a metal staircase with wood is not such a difficult question. Knowing the characteristics of a particular type of wood, as well as based on your requirements and preferences, you can easily choose the appropriate array.

Here are the most popular types of wood and their features:

  • Oak. This wood is particularly strong and durable. Depending on the place of growth, the color range may vary significantly. It has an incredibly noble color.

Important! Oak can darken over time; this should be taken into account when choosing solid oak.

  • Beech. It is in no way inferior to oak in its characteristics, but has a more uniform texture, so it is easy to tint. It is distinguished by incredible elegance and aesthetic appeal. One of the most popular materials for cladding.
  • Ash. Along with oak and beech, it is very durable; its distinctive feature is its characteristic grayish tint.
  • Exotic wood species such as wenge, teak, merbau, abash. These types of wood come in a wide range of colors, are attractive in appearance, and are incredibly durable. The color palette is striking in its exoticism, unusual shades for wood in our region.
  • Coniferous forests such as spruce, pine, fir, cedar. Such wood is not durable, rather soft, and does not have high performance characteristics. Experts advise using pine exclusively for cladding risers and side cladding.

Important! Do not use pine as a material for steps, as it is soft and has low wear resistance. Use solid coniferous trees only for cladding risers and decorative cladding of the side part. They are easy to process and affordable.

Methods for cladding stairs

Depending on the design of the room and the design of the staircase, there are two main ways of cladding the stairs. These include:

  1. Full staircase cladding consists of metal frame cladding on all sides. The steps, risers, side and back sides of the stairs are covered with wood. The result is a complete imitation of a wooden staircase, but the metal frame inside makes it stronger and more durable.
  2. Partial cladding, when only treads are made of wood, and the entire structure remains unlined. This method is typical for stairs on a stringer.

Deciding on the cladding method is not so difficult. It is enough to proceed from the general design concept and understand what will fit best into your interior: a wooden staircase without visible metal elements or a combination of metal and wood.

Methods for installing wooden steps

In order to sheathe a metal staircase with wood, it is necessary to attach wooden blanks to the metal frame. This can be done in several ways, which are determined based on the cladding method, frame design and your personal preferences.

There are the following methods for installing steps, depending on the design of the stairs:

  • Installation on stringers. One of the most common installation methods. A platform for attaching steps is welded to the stringer and the tree is fixed to it using self-tapping screws or bolts. There are stairs on one or two stringers. If a side stringer is used in the wall, then the fixation is made on the studs coming out of the stringer. In this mounting option, it is enough to attach the steps to the studs.
  • Installation using a fillet. The filly is attached with a channel to a metal base and has the shape of a triangle with a right angle. For its manufacture, such parameters as the height of the riser and the width of the tread are important. The wooden step is attached to the filly.
  • Installation on bolts. With this method, there is no central base and the steps are attached to bolts in the wall. On the reverse side, it is possible to fasten the steps with bolts to the ceiling.
  • Installation using screw fastening. With this method, metal plates are attached to a screw pipe, which serve as the base for the steps. The steps are arranged with a screw around the pipe.
  • Modular method, when the staircase consists of identical modules, fastened together and supported by a pipe installed vertically. The steps are attached to the finished structure to each module.

In turn, the installation of steps can be done using:

  • self-tapping screws, using an electric screwdriver;
  • assembly glue and a gun for it;
  • bolts, nuts using an open-end or socket wrench or socket heads;
  • hairpins

Procedure for covering stairs

Once you have decided on the type of staircase construction, you should start covering it with wood. The most common option for attaching steps to a metal staircase base is to attach them to metal plates or frames.

How to cover a metal staircase with wood with your own hands, what order of work should be followed. In general, the algorithm of actions can be summarized as follows:

  • To begin with, based on the interior design and your idea, determine the type of staircase and which cladding option you will use - full or partial.
  • Decide on the type of wood, and if you have already decided what to cover the metal stairs with, you need to calculate the amount of material needed and purchase it. It is advisable to cladding with material from the same batch so that there are no visual differences in the structure of the wood and it has the same degree of humidity.
  • Based on all measurements, make blanks for the steps. It is necessary to precisely adjust each step in size and number each of them.
  • Secure each step, starting from the top, based on the chosen fastening method. Ideally, the tread should protrude slightly forward from the base.

Important! When securing each tread, check the levelness of the fastening using a building level.

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