Micro concrete stairs: how to coat them correctly.

Micro concrete is the decorative coating par excellence for floors and walls. In fact, it is very common to see continuous flooring and walls coated with micro concrete in all types of commercial premises and businesses. But also in the domestic sphere, where this coating has gained stellar popularity in the renovation of bathrooms and kitchens thanks to the waterproof and non-slip finishes offered by Micro concrete.

A versatility to which we must add micro concrete stairs, a differentiating decorative element that more and more professionals and individuals are taking into account due to its modern aesthetics, the continuity it provides as it does not need expansion joints and, above all, its extraordinary functionality compared to other materials.

It should not be forgotten that although micro concrete stairs are designed to facilitate and speed up access to the different floors of the building in question, they are also a powerful design element on a visual level due to their breaking character.

In this article we will cover everything you need to know about micro concrete stairs: advantages, types, the most suitable colours, how to make a micro concrete staircase correctly and a series of tips to help you become a real expert on the subject.

Advantages of micro concrete stairs

Why have micro concrete staircases become a decorative trend? Below we explain the main benefits that have propelled micro concrete stairs to the top.

1. Micro concrete stairs encourage continuity

Stairs coated with micro concrete are becoming more and more popular for many reasons, especially because they do not need expansion joints, unlike wooden or parquet stairs, for example. An added value as micro concrete stairs promote the continuity of the staircase itself and, above all, of the room in which they are located.

All the elements (staircase, floor, walls, ceiling) form part of a whole as they are perfectly integrated. An appearance of absolute continuity that can go one step further if the colour of the micro concrete staircase matches that of the flooring.

2.Forget about building work with micro concrete stairs

Micro concrete is a highly adherent decorative coating that is applied directly onto existing material such as marble or concrete. A competitive advantage that allows you to renovate stairs with micro concrete without the need for building work and rubble in just a few hours, with the time and cost savings that this entails.

3. Easy cleaning of micro concrete stairs

Small staircases do not usually cause many problems when it comes to cleaning. But what about those endless stairs connecting floors and floors that make you dizzy just looking at them?

Micro concrete stairs are very practical, as they are very easy to clean as they are a continuous surface without joints, which makes the cleaning process of each step quick and easy. With water and neutral soap, it is more than enough.

4. Micro concrete stairs are very resistant

If there is a differentiating element of micro concrete stairs, it is their durability. They will remain in perfect condition over the years thanks to their excellent resistance, especially to traffic, impact and abrasion. Topciment micro concrete for stairs is a material that withstands all kinds of blows.

5. Micro concrete on stairs does not affect structural load

It should be noted that micro concrete is very thin (between 2 and 3 millimetres). This means that coating stairs with micro concrete does not affect the structural load in any way.

6. Micro concrete stairs for interiors and exteriors

Micro concrete stairs are a very versatile architectural element that is mainly used in interior design because of the feeling of stability, spaciousness and cleanliness it offers. However, it has become increasingly fashionable to coat stairs with micro concrete also in exteriors, due to the elegance, majesty and presence they exude.

7. Micro concrete stairs with anti-slip finish

Thanks to our Microdeck micro concretes, the micro concrete staircase will be a safe space free from slips and falls, as they are types of smoothed micro concrete that guarantee this non-slip finish. Also, if the applicator chooses another type of micro concrete, in Topciment we have several varnishes within the Topsealer range that give the micro concrete staircase that non-slip character.

Types of micro concrete stairs

The design possibilities that micro concrete allows for the coating of stairs are unlimited. In our categorisation, we have taken two factors into account. Firstly, whether the steps of the micro concrete stairs are between the walls or not and the type of risers.

With this differentiation, we find the following micro concrete stairs: closed micro concrete stairs with two walls, closed micro concrete stairs with one wall, closed micro concrete stairs without walls, open micro concrete stairs with two walls, open micro concrete stairs with one wall, open micro concrete stairs without walls, recessed micro concrete stairs in one wall, recessed micro concrete stairs without walls and micro concrete stairs with central substrate.

Which micro concrete and colour to use for stairs

Although grey is the most popular colour for coating stairs with micro concrete, all kinds of colours can be applied to give a differentiating element to the decoration of your home or business. In Topciment, we have a wide range of micro concrete colours for stairs. From neutral colours for a more minimalist and industrial design to brighter colours if you are looking for a more daring decoration.

As for the type of micro concrete, our experts recommend Microdeck finishing micro concrete for coating stairs. At Topciment we have developed three types of Microdeck: Sttandard Microdeck (traditional two-component micro concrete), and Evoluttion Microdeck (one-component micro concrete).

How to make micro concrete stairs:

The first thing to bear in mind when applying micro concrete on a staircase is that this process can only be carried out by an experienced professional. Coating a staircase with micro concrete requires an advanced application technique to obtain the desired result. A series of particularities that must be taken into account and that only a trained applicator will be able to guarantee.

Applying micro concrete on stairs in 8 steps

Take note of the 8 steps to follow for stairs coated with Micro concrete.

1. Assess the state of the substrate

The state of the existing substrate on the stairs must be analysed before applying Micro concrete. If the substrate that will form the base of the micro concrete staircase is not in optimum condition, all kinds of cracks or defects could appear. That is why it is so important to have a good professional who will know how to correctly assess the quality of the substrate.

2. Priming the micro concrete staircase

Once we are sure that the substrate is in good condition, the second step to make a micro concrete staircase is to apply the primer or adhesion promoter.

3. Levelling the steps of the micro concrete staircase

The third step in making a micro concrete staircase consists of levelling and protecting the steps. This prevents future breakage and wear by eliminating any irregularities that may be present.

4. Apply the first layer of micro concrete Microbase on the staircase

The fourth step in the application of micro concrete on stairs consists of applying a first coat of Microbase without pigment. Once this is done, it is sanded.

5. Apply a second coat of Micro concrete Microbase on the staircase

The fifth step of application on micro concrete stairs is to apply a second layer of Microbase, in this case with pigment. The procedure and sanding of the previous step must be repeated.

6. Applying the first layer of Microdeck micro concrete on the staircase

The sixth step in applying micro concrete on stairs is a first thin layer of Microdeck with colour. Once the layer is dry, the surface should be sanded.

7. Apply a second layer of Microdeck micro concrete on the staircase

The sixth step in making micro concrete stairs is to apply the second layer of Microdeck. As soon as it dries it will be necessary to sand the surface.

8. Sealing and protecting the micro concrete staircase

The last step in the application of micro concrete on stairs is one of the most important, as it is a question of protecting the coating and ensuring that it remains in optimum condition for a long time.

To do this, at Topciment we recommend applying two coats of Presealer acrylic varnish and another two coats of one of our polyurethane varnishes, especially Topsealer WT One Coat .

3 tips for applying micro concrete on staircases

As mentioned above, not everyone is qualified to make micro concrete stairs, only professional applicators with years of experience due to the complexity involved.

These are the three main tips to keep in mind when making micro concrete stairs:

1. Protect the edges of the micro concrete stairs with aluminium profile .

The corners or edges of the steps of micro concrete stairs are, without a doubt, the area most exposed to all kinds of scratches and knocks. For this reason, as manufacturers, we recommend the use of corner pieces or aluminium profiles. These complements can be hidden from view (although we recommend leaving them visible because they add a touch of elegance) and will protect the micro concrete stairs better and for longer, thus preventing breakage or wear and tear.

2. Minimally rounded edges of the micro concrete staircase

Although it is possible to leave the step of the micro concrete staircase at 90 degrees, it is advisable that the edges are rounded, even if only minimally. By following this advice and "cutting" the edges of the future micro concrete staircase, chipping or knocks are avoided as the impact on the micro concrete staircase is less.

3. Fibreglass mesh for micro concrete stairs

Although some applicators do not always place a fibre mesh on the micro concrete base layer, at Topciment we are in favour of always doing so. Thanks to the mesh, we can reinforce the micro concrete staircase.