Wooden steps for stairs - reliability and refined elegance for centuries
Treads for stairs made of wood are a functional and stylish solution that allows you to turn any staircase into the pride of your interior. Wood is a material distinguished not only by its high external aesthetics, but also by excellent functionality. And this is not the only advantage of wood. A high level of sound insulation, plasticity and pliability in processing, practicality, wear resistance and durability, combined with a presentable appearance, make it suitable for the implementation of any design decisions.
Due to their low thermal conductivity, wooden stair treads always feel warm to the touch. It is pleasant to walk on them barefoot at any time of the year.
Wooden steps for stairs - time-tested quality
The most common and widely used material for the construction of this type of structure is wood. Even if the frame is made of metal or concrete, it is preferable to make steps for stairs made of wood to balance and give the base sophistication and presentability.
Treads for stairs made of wood - what materials are used
The ratio of wooden elements in a staircase structure can be very diverse:
- The product can be completely made of wood. In such cases, the same wood species is usually used for the steps as for the stringers.
- Look like a combined structure - when the metal base is complemented by wooden steps and risers, or the concrete frame is sheathed with panels and wooden overlays are installed on the steps of the stairs.
Since the surface of the steps is subjected to significant loads on a daily basis, it must have high mechanical strength. Have low abrasion and tendency to deformation.
Therefore, in the manufacture of steps for stairs made of wood, preference is given to the hardest species:
- pine;
- maple;
- oak;
- rosewood;
- cherry;
- nuts;
- ash
All of them are distinguished by increased strength, various beautiful textures and durability. They perfectly tolerate processing and, with proper care, retain excellent working qualities for more than a dozen years.
When choosing a material, you must pay close attention to the method of its production. Steps made of solid wood will look appropriate in an expensive interior.
In addition, such material requires close and constant care. Products made of WPC boards, as well as raw materials produced by the method of checkerboard or whole-lamellar gluing, are distinguished by high strength and durability. They are wear-resistant, not afraid of moisture and temperature extremes and at the same time have a beautiful structure inherent in wood.
Wooden steps for stairs - a variety of types and shapes
As for the shape of steps for stairs made of wood, it all depends on what type of structure was chosen for construction. For:
- marching with straight ascents and boltsev - using straight steps;
- marching turning stairs - use straight and corner elements;
- screw - equipped with a winder type of steps.
This makes the structure not only more comfortable for everyday use, but also prevents the loss of useful space.
The most common are straight marching and turning stairs. Their main advantage is simplicity and speed of assembly, ease of use, safety and practicality. However, they require a sufficiently large free area.
Spiral staircase with winder steps, it will look appropriate even in a small space and, due to its design features, will not create inconvenience during ascent and descent.
Dimensions of stair steps - how to ensure maximum comfort
When arranging a lifting structure in a house, there are no minor details.
It is important to calculate the steps of the stairs as accurately as possible. Calculate:
- the number of steps required for ease of use;
- the width of the step, tread and riser;
- depth of elements;
- step width;
- optimal slope angle
But you should not focus only on GOSTs. Since the staircase should be convenient first of all for the owners of the house, the depth, step and height of the steps of the stairs, the level of inclination and other structural features recommended by the norms, should be selected taking into account the individual needs of the residents.
Basic requirements for wooden steps
In order for the ladder to be comfortable and safe, have a long service life and retain an attractive appearance for a long time, wooden steps must meet the main criteria:
- have anti-slip and shock-absorbing properties;
- have no defects - chips, cracks or knots on the surface of the wood;
- the material used for the manufacture of steps must have an optimal moisture level of no more than 10-12%;
- all material must be treated with special antiseptic and antifungal compounds
With extreme care, it is necessary to use varnishes to decorate the surface of the steps. Penetrating deep into the wood base, they create a dense film on the surface, depriving the wood of its natural anti-slip properties.
To protect the surface of the ladder running gear from premature wear, it is recommended to use special pads on the steps.
They will not only protect the surface from the formation of abrasions, but also create additional comfort when walking.