A Guide To Cork Flooring On Stairs: What You Should Know

When you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your home, cork flooring can be a great option. But what about using it on stairs? We all know how cool cork flooring is, yet most people are unaware that cork can also be used on staircases. Cork is durable and forgiving, making it a good choice for this high-traffic area. Of course, stairs are typically made from timber and it is not an issue to stick cork tiles on stairs, both the step and the riser.

Deciding to install cork flooring on your stairs is still a big decision, and there are a few things you need to know before making your final decision. This guide will walk you through what you should consider when installing cork flooring on your stairs and how to make the process as easy as possible. Let’s get started!

Preparing The Staircase

The first thing to do is choose the cork tiles. If you are located in Australia, it won’t be hard finding Melbourne flooring cork tiles for sale at a leading flooring showroom and their staff would be happy to help you pick the most suitable choice for your stairs. For those in other countries, a Google search would easily point you to the nearest supplier.

You will need some aluminum edging that fits over the joints to prevent them from being scuffed and this can be ordered online and cut to length and screwed onto the steps. You need to strip all other materials from the stairs and fill any hollows, then sand down the staircase and blow it, so it is ready for the cork installation.

Matching The Living Room Floor

Of course, you want the cork tiles to match the living room floor, so it is an extension that is pleasing to the eye. The soft walking experience is not lost on a staircase and cork is also non-slip, which is an added safety benefit. There are many designs with cork flooring, so you will find one that is just right.

Professional Installation

The best way forward is to have the stairs tiled with cork at the same time the floor is being installed. A team of cork floor installers can make short work of a staircase, starting at the top, of course. Pre-cut lengths are affixed with adhesive and after they have been laid, the metal edging is fitted. After sealing, the job is complete.

Cutting The Tiles To Size

Of course, both the steps and the risers need to be pre-cut, with labelling on the back to ensure the right piece goes in the right place. Cut using a sharp cutter with a metal ruler as a guide and make sure you put enough adhesive when fixing. There are some great YouTube videos of cork tiling stairs, which you can watch over and over until you’re sure you know what you’re doing. You should be able to complete cork tiling a staircase in a single day; make sure that you have everything you need prior to starting the project.

Soft & Safe

Installing cork tiles on your stairs brings an elevated level of safety, with non-slip surfaces that are soft and if you use a different design for the risers, a nice contrast will emerge.

Sealing The Tiles

Much like with the floor, your cork staircase tiles need to be sealed for protection; the best sealant would be a silicone-based application and several coats would ensure the surfaces are waterproof. There are free resources on the web to help you regarding product reviews, but if you are using the flooring supplier to install, they take care of everything.

Why not take a before and after photo? Amaze your friends with a Facebook post and see how many likes you get.

Feature Image Source: Upsplash