RenovaStairsThree materials, each with its own character
If you want the longest manufacturer's warranty and a staircase that flows seamlessly into a PVC floor, choose glued PVC or rigid PVC; if you want wood or stone decors with stringers in the same colour, laminate is the better fit. I fit all three over your existing staircase, so there is no need to tear anything out. In this article I set out the differences for you.
Glued PVC: thin, quiet and seamless
Glued PVC consists of large, thin and flexible PVC strips, also known as slabs. I glue them directly onto your existing treads. You can choose the treads with stair nosing only, or treads, risers and stair nosing together. There are 20 colours, from a warm wood tone to a bold stone texture, and the treads have a tangible relief that makes them look and feel true to nature.
With PVC I always use aluminium stair nosing profiles of 14 x 43 mm, available in stainless steel, sand, silver, black, anthracite and bronze, among others. A rib on top acts as an anti-slip edge, and on the front I fit an inlay of the same PVC as your treads. That way it all becomes one whole.
- 15-year manufacturer's warranty for domestic use
- Wear rating AC5
- 0.55 mm top layer with an anti-slip texture
- Sound-dampening and water-resistant
One condition: your staircase must be completely free of glue and carpet. Otherwise every bump or trace of glue will show in the end result. If there is still carpet on it, I strip and prime the staircase first.
Rigid PVC: a dimensionally stable overlay tread
A rigid PVC overlay tread is a ready-made tread with a hard mineral composite core, also called SPC. That core keeps the tread stable: it does not warp and it resists dents and heavy loads. The big difference from glued PVC is that the nosing is already built into the tread, so you do not need separate aluminium profiles.
Rigid PVC has usage class 33 (AC5), a 0.55 mm top layer and a 15-year manufacturer's warranty. The plasticisers are phthalate-free, which is good for your indoor climate. Because the treads are thicker, the finish along the stringers calls for extra precision. That is exactly where my background in interior joinery comes in.
Laminate: wood and stone decors with a hard top layer
For laminate I work with MexForm. A laminate overlay tread has a sturdy core with a hard 0.6 mm CPL top layer. Laminate has wear class AC4 and comes with a 12-year manufacturer's warranty on the top layer of the overlay treads and risers. Most treads have a tangible anti-slip texture.
The strength of laminate is the choice of wood and stone decors, and the option to finish treads, risers and stringers in the same colour. Your staircase then gets a completely new look, right down to the sides. Laminate is very scratch and wear resistant. It does sound slightly more hollow underfoot than PVC, and the joints are less resistant to moisture.
The differences at a glance
Put the three materials side by side and this is what you see:
- Manufacturer's warranty: glued PVC 15 years, rigid PVC 15 years, laminate 12 years on the top layer
- Wear resistance: glued PVC AC5, rigid PVC class 33 (AC5), laminate AC4
- Top layer: PVC and rigid PVC 0.55 mm, laminate 0.6 mm CPL
- Stair nosing: an aluminium profile with inlay for glued PVC, built into the tread for rigid PVC
- Sound: PVC is the quietest, laminate sounds slightly more hollow
- Matching stringers: easiest with laminate
All three are suitable for open and closed staircases made of wood, concrete or metal.
Which material suits your situation?
No single material always wins. It depends on your staircase, your floor and how you use the stairs. A few rules of thumb from my own work:
- If your stairs run into a PVC floor, glued PVC gives the most seamless transition
- If your stairs see heavy use from children or pets, the hard core of rigid PVC is a strong choice
- If you want the stringers in the same colour too, laminate is the way to go
- If you prefer a stone decor to wood, we look at PVC with a stone texture or at laminate
Is stair lighting on your wish list as well? On closed staircases on the ground floor, that is possible with all three materials.
See the samples in your own light
A colour on a screen often looks different in your own home. That is why I visit you free of charge and without obligation, bringing the latest samples from Douwes Dekker, K-Stairs and MexForm, among others. During that visit I also inspect your staircase, so you know straight away what is needed.
With more than 25 years of experience in interior joinery and more than 500 renovated staircases, I am happy to help you choose. After that I measure up myself and you receive a clear, made-to-measure quote. Book your free home consultation and we will look together at which material suits your staircase best.