Microcement stairs: Applicantion process, tips and incompatibility

Do you have a private house or business premises with two or more floors? Do you need to carry out a renovation in any of them and the stairs are one of the elements to be renovated? Acquire the necessary knowledge and put into practice the tips and tricks that we will introduce below, microcement stairs are the preferred coating option in your project.

If you find this interesting is because stairs mean something more to you. On the one hand, they form an essential element as a link in any multi-story or multi-room building. They have functional characteristics. Likewise, and, on the other hand, the stairs can also grant or offer a decorative role. Combining with the main aesthetics of the building, house or commercial premises and, of the room in particular.

The Microcement Ready-to-use coating on stairs is becoming more popular and known. The aesthetic and modern finishes that we can obtain when using this material, together with the ease of application and the simplicity of its maintenance. Get uniform, elegant effects without the need to carry out works with debris.

Types of stairs where microcement can be applied

The possibilities of design that you can find in microcement as a coating to be used on stairs is almost unlimited. In fact, it is a flexible material capable of adapting to the conditions or particularities of the location or room in which the staircase is located. Differentiating in our opinion between:

• Open stairs without walls, with one wall or with two walls
• Close stairs without walls, with one or two walls. 
• Recessed stairs without walls or embedded in a wall
• Stairs with central support

Do you want to discover the advantages of microcement stairs? Take advantage because here we talk about them.

Types of stairs surfaces that can be coated with microcement

One of the advantages of microcement is its capacity of adaptability to any type of surface. Its versatility makes the difference between other decorative coatings in the market. Taking this into account, microcement can be applied on the following type of stairs:

• Tiles
• Marble
• Granite
• Cement
• Another materials 

But, in which cases we cannot do it?  Let’s see a specific example.

Microcement and wood stairs, an incompatibility discernible

Is the use of microcement on wood non-advisable? In this case, yes. Wood is a material that can contract and expand so it can produce microcracks in the microcement that would affect the surface of the new support.

In addition, microcement and wood stairs can also cause problems if the wood is not fully cured initially. Causing that, when coating the surface, the veins become visible at the end of the coating application process.

On the other hand, there is a case in which microcement and wood stairs can get along. This would only happen if the wooden steps of your staircase were made of DM wood. Is this your case? If so, go ahead!

Tips prior to the application of microcement stairs

These are the two essential tips that you should keep in mind if you want to coat your stairs with microcement.

Protect the edges of the stair

Without a doubt, the corners or edges of the steps of your stairs are the area most exposed to all kinds of bumps, scratches or damage. To protect them, as experienced manufacturers and applicators, we recommend the use of aluminium corner pieces that will prevent breakage or future damage and that will give (if they are visible) a modern touch to the surface.

Place fiberglass mesh to the system

Although some applicators do not always place this product, Cementec is determined of placing a fiberglass mesh in the microcement base layer. With it, we will be able to reinforce the firmness of our microcement staircase.

How to apply microcement on stairs step by step

Have we convinced you? Let’s do it! Of course, CEMENTEC wants to remind you that, despite the fact that we offer all the necessary information, as well as we provide all the material required to carry out the coating with ready-to-use microcement, we strongly recommend having the services of a professional knowledgeable in the matter to the implementation of the renovation.

As we believe that the coating of a staircase requires an advanced application technique that only a team like ours can offer you to obtain the desired result.

However, if you think you have the necessary experience and knowledge, take note of the following particularities and steps that you must take into consideration to cover microcement stairs.

Know the 8 steps to follow on how to apply microcement on stairs.

Step 1: check the state of the surface

First of all, and as for any renovation where microcement is going to be applied, a prior and exhaustive review of the existing surface must be carried out. It must be checked the optimal state of the stair, as well as possible appearance of future cracks or imperfections.

If any type of problem is detected in this prior step, it must be proceeded to the correction of it before starting the microcement ready to use application process.

Step 2: priming microcement stairs

Secondly, after being sure that each and every one of the steps of the stairs do not present any problem and, therefore, are in good condition, the appropriate layer of Cementec primer or adhesion promoter must be applied.

Step 3: level the steps before microcement application

Thus, after priming and waiting for the corresponding drying time, the steps must be levelled and protected, in the same way as the surface that surrounds them, to avoid breakage and wear in later or future processes.

Step 4: apply a first layer of microcement cementec base

Next, a first layer of the Cementec microcement BASE will be applied, but not before placing the fiberglass mesh mentioned in the previous tips. The recommended guidelines for application, sanding and drying of the product will be followed.

Step 5: apply a second layer of microcement cementec base

Repeat the previous procedure (without placing the mesh), being in this case the second and last layer of base microcement to be applied, but this time with the desired colour pigmentation.

Step 6: coat your stair with microcement ready to use cementec

On this occasion, apply a first layer with the desired microcement finish, following the guidelines, waiting, sanding and drying times recommended by the product or manufacturer.

Step 7: coat your stair with a second microcement ready to use cementec

As with steps 4 and 5, step 6 must be repeated with a second microcement finish layer to achieve the desired results.

Step 8: seal and protect microcement stairs

Finally, do not forget to apply two layers of sealing and protection because these will confer prolonged resistance over time thanks to the varnish that can be found in the products section of our website.

With all this information of interest, would you know how to apply microcement on stairs independently? Share your opinions on our social networks and send us your recommendations or results after applying microcement stairs.