Stairs are a necessary feature of multi-story buildings, ensuring safe and convenient movement between different levels. They are installed in the spaces between floors, basements, or attics. Stairs serve many practical functions for servicing the building and also serve as a decorative element. Wood or concrete are most often used for the construction of such structures. The latter material has many advantages.

What are the advantages of concrete stairs?

Concrete steps are recommended for installation in monolithic buildings designed in a brutalist and modern style. These buildings are typically constructed from cement or brick. The most important advantage is the ability to create a variety of shapes and cladding materials, including stone and tile for stairs. Other advantages include:

• a long service life of several decades;
• increased moisture resistance and exceptional strength of concrete, making it resistant to damage;
• high load-bearing capacity, unlike wooden steps;
• environmental friendliness – cement does not adversely affect human health;
• resistance to mold and various microorganisms.

It's also worth noting that concrete steps can be erected quickly, in just a few days.

Features and specifics of pouring concrete stairs

A monolithic structure of this type should be poured in one go, ordering excess concrete in advance. Typically, M300 or M250 concrete is recommended. The use of plasticizers to achieve the plasticity of the mixture is also recommended.

The concrete staircase pouring process itself involves the following steps:

• site preparation;
• mixing the concrete;
• construction of the stair formwork;
• pouring the concrete, starting from the bottom and gradually moving upward;
• vibrating the mixture with a immersion tool to create a denser mix;
• removing excess concrete with a trowel.

After completing the work, wait 2-3 hours, then treat the stair spans with a plastic mortar to reinforce the steps. The formwork is removed after 4 weeks—this time is sufficient for the concrete to fully harden. Next, finish the stairs and risers, install the railings, and fences.

The price of a concrete staircase and the principles of its construction

The cost of the finished project depends on several factors. These include the grade of concrete, the specifics of the mortar preparation, the size of the staircase, the urgency of the work, and the type of project (exterior or interior).

Furthermore, the type of concrete staircase is also a must-take into account. Typically, they are manufactured in the following format:

• Single-flight. This is the simplest option, offering a sufficiently wide staircase, ideal for any home. It appears straight, and the staircase is installed at the required angle. This type of concrete staircase is considered the most affordable to manufacture.
• Rotary. These variations consist of multiple flights, each positioned at a specific angle relative to the other. These are more expensive than standard staircases.
• Spiral staircases. This type is constructed of reinforced concrete and is ideal for small buildings. The advantages of these internal staircases include space savings and the ability to be installed even in a living room. These are the most expensive.

Only those with construction experience can build a staircase themselves. It's best to contact a professional company for installation.

RСС ALBA specialists will help you decide on the staircase format and design, calculate the step height, advise on the correct material selection, create a concrete porch if necessary, and complete all stages of the work, including waterproofing the structure, in a strict sequence—on time and to a high standard.