Cladding concrete stairs with wood flooring: materials, nosings and quantities
Concrete stairs look finished when the treads and risers are covered with the same boards as the floor. The stairs and the room then read as one surface, and an oak nosing protects the edge of each tread. This article covers the materials you need, how to choose the nosing and how to calculate quantities.
What the finish consists of
- Floor boards for treads and risers – the same collection as the floor, usually 13.2–14 mm BOEN three-layer boards or Prestige 10 mm.
- Stair nosings – an oak profile covering the edge of the tread. BOEN nosings come in the same finish as the floor: Live Matt or Live Pure lacquer or Live Natural oil.
- Adhesive and primer – an elastic parquet adhesive such as WAKOL MS 260, and a primer suited to the subfloor.
- Levelling compound to repair unevenness, holes and tread edges, for example the rapid-set WAKOL Z 645.
How to choose the nosing
| Floor | Nosing | Size | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOEN 13.2 and 14 mm | profile A – click joint at the bottom | 56 × 83 mm | 2200 mm |
| BOEN 13.2 and 14 mm | profile B – narrower, veneered bottom edge | 56 × 69 mm | 2200 mm |
| BOEN Prestige 10 mm | Prestige – tongue and groove or veneered bottom | 40 × 101 mm | 1150 mm |
Profiles A and B come with or without a bevel – match the floor. All options and prices are in Stair nosings.
Example: a staircase with 14 treads
Stairs: 14 treads, 1.0 m wide, 28 cm tread depth, 18 cm riser height.
- Floor boards: treads 14 × 1.0 × 0.28 = 3.92 m², risers 14 × 1.0 × 0.18 = 2.52 m², 6.44 m² in total. With about 10 % extra for offcuts – about 7 m².
- Nosings: the treads are 1.0 m wide, so one 2200 mm nosing covers two treads – you need 7 nosings (2 per box). If a tread is wider than 1.1 m, you need one nosing per tread.
- Adhesive: WAKOL MS 260 uses about 700–1500 g/m², so 7 m² needs about 5–10 kg.
- Primer: WAKOL D 3055 uses about 100–150 g/m² – about 1 kg.
Order of work
- Check the subfloor: the concrete must be dry, sound and level. Fill holes and uneven edges with levelling compound.
- Prime the surface as the adhesive manufacturer specifies.
- Glue the riser and tread boards and the nosings – the nosing joins the tread board.
- Keep to the curing time given by the adhesive manufacturer before using the stairs.
Stairs are more demanding than a floor, so we recommend having them installed by an experienced floor fitter.
When you need something else
If your floor is stained or not oak, BOEN makes nosings to order in any BOEN colour and finish. Also to order: a 10 mm rubber anti-slip insert, other tread sizes and matching edge bands for open stairs.
Send the number and width of your treads and your floor collection – within one business day we will calculate boards, nosings and adhesive. Write to info@openini.lt.
Frequently asked questions
Can concrete stairs be covered with wood flooring?
Yes. Treads and risers are glued with an elastic parquet adhesive onto dry, sound and level concrete, and an oak nosing covers the edge of each tread.
Which nosing should I choose?
It depends on board thickness: 13.2–14 mm BOEN floors take profile A or B (2200 mm), Prestige 10 mm floors the Prestige nosing (1150 mm). Match the finish and bevel to the floor.
How many nosings for 1 m wide stairs?
One 2200 mm nosing covers two treads up to 1.1 m wide, so a staircase with 14 treads needs 7 nosings.
Will the stairs be slippery?
Lacquered and oiled BOEN treads are used daily in homes. For extra safety BOEN makes nosings to order with a 10 mm rubber anti-slip insert.
How do I order materials for my stairs?
Send the number and width of your treads and your floor collection to info@openini.lt – within one business day we will calculate boards, nosings and adhesive.