Stair tiles in porcelain stoneware: beautiful and functional

In the world of architecture and design, choosing the right materials can really make a difference. Stairs and steps are important functional and aesthetic elements in any setting, so they require especially close attention. Attractive, durable and practical, porcelain stoneware is an excellent solution. This versatile material not only offers a wide range of style options, but also guarantees impressive resistance and easy maintenance, making it ideal for retail environments and homes, both indoors and outdoors. Let’s take a look at the reasons to choose porcelain stoneware for stairs, the various types available, and some design ideas for both indoor and outdoor stairs.

Modern indoor staircase with white porcelain stoneware tiles, featuring built-in LED lighting for a sleek, minimalist design. — Noord White

Reasons to choose porcelain stoneware tiles for stairs and staircases

Porcelain stoneware is exceptionally versatile and resistant, making it ideal for stairs and steps in a variety of settings. Renowned for its impressive duration and resistance, it is able to stand up to everyday wear and tear, impact and scratches. It has a water absorption coefficient of less than 0.5%, which gives it excellent resistance to stains and frost: an essential quality for stairs exposed to the elements. In addition, it can be treated with anti-slip finishes, significantly reducing the risk of slipping and falls, which is particularly important for stairs outdoors.

As well as being particularly robust, porcelain stoneware is widely appreciated for its ability to replicate the appearance of natural materials such as wood, stone, marble, resin, concrete and metal. This variety of effects allows for the creation of unique, custom designs that adapt effortlessly to any architectural style. A further significant advantage is the easy maintenance: the non-porous surface of porcelain stoneware makes it simple and quick to clean, preventing stains from penetrating below the surface and offering excellent resistance to even the harshest chemicals. Compared to the materials it mimics, porcelain stoneware is just as attractive, and is also much more practical and resistant, making it an ideal solution for stairs that are both durable and aesthetically appealing.

Curved Roman-style staircase with light gray porcelain stoneware tiles and a sleek metal handrail, leading to a modern dining area. — Noord Grey

Profiled stairs with dark gray stone-look tiles, featuring a sleek modern design and stainless steel railing in a contemporary interior. — Percorsi Frame Cosmic Black

Different types of stairs

When it comes to designing and covering stairs with porcelain stoneware, it’s important to consider the various different types and which are the most appropriate in terms of both appearance and functional requirements. Below are some of the main types of stairs:

Roman-style stairs

In this type of stairs, the riser is positioned first and the tread is laid over it, creating a thick, sturdy anterior edge. This method is often finished with a bullnose or half-bullnose profile, giving the stairs a solid, traditional appearance.

Profiled stairs

Profiled stairs have defined edges that are often finished with metal or PVC inserts to protect the steps and for aesthetic reasons. The profiles can be rounded, sharp or customised to improve safety and help prevent slipping. This type of stairs is common in retail or industrial settings, where resistance and safety are particularly important.

Marble-effect stair tiles in a modern hallway. — Interno 4 Breccia Tortona

Interno4 breccia tortona — Interno 4 Breccia Tortona

Bullnose stairs

Bullnose stairs have rounded, “bullnose” edges. These edges can be half-bullnose (partially rounded) or full-bullnose (completely rounded), offering a variety of aesthetic and functional options. This type of stair is popular for its classic, elegant appearance, and is especially suitable for residential settings.

"L" shaped stairs

L-shaped stairs feature a right angle between the riser and the tread, for a clean, modern look, often used to create a monolith effect in which the tiles cut at a 45-degree angle meet perfectly at the corners. This type of stair is ideal for contemporary, minimalist settings, offering a popular, pleasantly seamless look.

Elegant beige tiled stairs in a contemporary interior. — Elements Design Beige

Contemporary staircase with gray step tiles. — Dolmix Grey

Modern tiles for indoor stairs

Porcelain stoneware offers multiple practical and attractive options for indoor stairs. A particularly popular choice are wood-effect tiles, which offer all the warmth and elegance of natural wood, combined with the resistance and low maintenance typical of stoneware. Available in several shades, this effect is suitable for country, modern and classic styles. For a sophisticated, natural ambience, stone-effect porcelain stoneware stairs are ideal, for their ability to faithfully mimic materials such as slate, granite or travertine.

Marble-effect stoneware steps are another striking choice to create a luxurious, sophisticated look. For a more modern design, the perfect option is the concrete effect, with its clean lines and sleek style. In addition to the effects that can be created, the use of large porcelain stoneware slabs enables the creation of seamless surfaces, without visible joints, while listel tiles can be used to add unique, decorative details, creating colour and texture contrasts between the tread and the riser.

Exterior of a contemporary house with gray stone outdoor step tiles and matching patio, featuring a well-maintained garden — Percorsi Extra Pietra di Combe

Elegant beige porcelain stoneware tiles for exterior stairs, integrated into a modern patio with greenery and brick accents. — Moov Moka

Gray porcelain stoneware tiles for exterior stairs and a modern patio area, featuring built-in seating and a cozy fire pit. — Percorsi Extra Pietra di Vals

Porcelain stoneware tiles for your outdoor staircase

Porcelain stoneware is also an excellent choice for outdoor stairs, thanks to its extraordinary technical properties and the variety of finishes available. This material boasts impressive resistance to rain, frost and UV rays, ensuring that the stairs remain functional and attractive over the years. One of the best finishes for outdoor stairs is the textured R11 finish, which has excellent slip resistance and guarantees stability and safety, reducing the risk of slipping even when the stairs are wet.

Design your stairs with Match App, the Ceramiche Keope tile laying configurator

See in real time how the Ceramiche Keope porcelain stoneware collections can transform your stairs, using the innovative Match App tool that allows you to upload a photo of your setting and experiment with various combinations of tiles, effects and finishes, making it easy to find the perfect solution for your stairs, both indoors and outdoors. Try Match App today and bring a unique touch to your project with Ceramiche Keope!