Stairs - Concrete vs timber

[Conor]

We're building using hollocore slabs and assumption has been we'd use concrete stairs as well for both basement and first floor. However, these are in the main contract as £1959 each.... And then we've to cover, ballustrade etc.

 

Timber staircases seem to be a lot cheaper, and finishing seems to much easier. I'm worried that they won't feel "solid" and will eventually creak etc. Are concrete worth the extra for the convenience and durability? Or are modern timber staircases much better now?

Main staircase will be carpeted, and one to basement will be what ever the hell leftovers we have to finish it!

 

[PeterW]

Usual reason for a creaking stair is a lack of glue on the wedges and the tread joints which allows movement. If you get the joiner to glue the stairs together properly then you get little or no movement.  

[Mr Punter]

Yes the concrete stairs are expensive.  I have clad them in timber before and extra for glass balustraded and stainless handrail.  Also lining up treads with floor finishes can be tricky.  You often have to screed the hollowcore to take out the camber, as well as batten the underside for plasterboard.

 

Carpeted timber stairs are practical and inexpensive.

[Mr Punter]

The upside is no string - if you like the minimalist look.  These took ages to finish compared to a timber staircase but like you we had Bison in to do the floors so it was one less thing to consider and straight away we had safe access between floors.

 

[Bitpipe]

5 minutes ago, Mr Punter said:

The upside is no string - if you like the minimalist look.  These took ages to finish compared to a timber staircase but like you we had Bison in to do the floors so it was one less thing to consider and straight away we had safe access between floors.

 

 

We have no string timber stairs internally (basement set are more standard). They use a hidden fixing into the structural wall on one side.

 

Agree with above though, well made and installed stairs should not creak or move, whatever their design.

 

We have one external concrete staircase from the basement exit door to ground level. We've clad it in the same pavers that we used for the patio and it looks good.

 

Concrete team built it in situ vs using an offsite made one, took quite a bit of labour time to do it.