Staircase renovation is a fantastic way to transform the look and feel of your home. Installing new flooring on your stairs can make a significant impact, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication. Engineered wood flooring is a popular choice for staircase renovation due to its durability and stylish appeal. This type of wood flooring consists of multiple layers bonded together, topped with a natural wood veneer, providing both beauty and stability.
When considering a staircase renovation, it’s essential to choose the type of flooring that best suits your needs. Engineered wood flooring is an excellent option because it combines the aesthetic appeal of hardwood flooring with enhanced durability. Unlike solid wood flooring, engineered wood is less susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity, making it ideal for stairs that connect different areas of your home.
Understanding Engineered Wood Flooring Basics
Engineered wood flooring consists of multiple layers bonded together, topped with a natural wood veneer. The top layer is a thin layer of wooden flooring that provides both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. Unlike solid hardwood, this construction provides greater stability and resistance to environmental changes, making it particularly suitable for staircases which often connect areas with different temperature and humidity levels.
The engineered wood flooring thickness you choose affects not just the look but also the performance and longevity of your staircase.. Thicker boards generally offer better sound insulation and feel more substantial underfoot, closely mimicking the feel of solid wood. However, they also present unique installation challenges on stairs where existing floor covering and height transitions must be carefully managed.
Why Thickness Matters for Staircase Installation
When installing flooring on stairs, thickness becomes particularly important due to several factors that don’t typically concern standard floor installations. Staircases are high-traffic areas that experience concentrated pressure and wear.
Stair height is a critical consideration. Adding flooring changes the dimensions of your stairs, and UK building regulations specify that all steps in a flight must be uniform in height. Even small variations can create trip hazards. Thicker flooring requires more adjustment to maintain consistent step heights, potentially necessitating modifications to the original staircase structure. It is also essential to measure the length and width of each step to ensure proper fit and finish during the installation process.
Comparing Different Thickness Options for Stairs
Thin Options (8-12mm)
Thin engineered flooring offers several advantages for stair installations, including better fit around treads . The reduced height minimises the need for adjustments to maintain consistent step dimensions, making it easier to meet building regulations. These boards are typically lighter and easier to cut, facilitating installation around stair nosings and against risers. Thin engineered wood flooring like the 12mm engineered flooring should be laid on a level, clean, and dry surface to ensure proper installation.
However, thinner boards generally feature more modest wear layers (often 0.6-2mm), which may limit their lifespan in high-traffic staircase environments. They also provide less substantial sound insulation and can feel less premium underfoot compared to thicker alternatives.
Best suited for: Renovation projects where minimising height changes is crucial, less frequently used staircases, or budget-conscious installations.
Medium Options (14-18mm)
Medium-thickness engineered flooring represents a popular compromise for stair installations. These boards typically feature wear layers of 3-4mm, offering better durability for busy household staircases while still being manageable for installation.
At this thickness range, the flooring provides improved sound insulation and a more substantial feel comparable to traditional hardwood. The medium profile still allows for relatively straightforward integration with stair nosings and transitions to other flooring types. The stair nose must be created specifically using engineered wood for proper completion.
Best suited for: Family homes with moderate stair traffic, homeowners seeking good balance between durability and installation practicality, and mid-range renovation projects.
Thick Options (20mm+)
Premium thick 20mm engineered flooring offers maximum durability with wear layers often reaching 6mm-comparable to many solid hardwood options. This thickness provides superior longevity, potentially allowing for multiple refinishing processes over its lifespan.
The substantial construction delivers excellent acoustic properties and the authentic feel of solid hardwood. Certain elements, such as the stair nose, incorporate a groove that accommodates the tongue of the flooring planks for seamless installation. However, these advantages come with installation challenges, including potentially significant stair height alterations and more complex cutting requirements, especially around stair nosings.
Best suited for: Luxury renovations, heritage properties, main staircases in forever homes, and situations where acoustic performance is prioritised.
Installation Methods Based on Thickness
The thickness of your chosen engineered flooring influences which installation method works best for your staircase project.
Thinner boards (8-12mm) are often installed using the glue-down method on stairs. This approach minimises height addition and provides strong adhesion to the subfloor, crucial for high-traffic areas. It is important to evenly spread a thin layer of adhesive onto the stair surface before positioning the planks to ensure a secure and stable installation. These thinner profiles also work well with stair nosings, creating smoother transitions.
Medium-thickness boards (14-18mm) offer more installation flexibility. While glue-down remains popular for staircases, some products in this range feature robust click-lock systems suitable for floating installation on less frequently used stairs. However, professional installers often still recommend adhesive for maximum stability on treads.
Thick engineered flooring (20mm+) typically requires full-surface glue-down or nail-down methods for stair installation. The substantial weight and profile of these boards demand proper fixing to eliminate movement and squeaking. Installation becomes more technically demanding, often requiring professional expertise to manage the thickness around nosings and transitions.
Cost Implications of Different Thicknesses
The thickness of engineered flooring directly impacts both initial purchase and installation costs, requiring careful budgeting for staircase projects.
Generally, price increases with thickness due to the greater amount of materials used-particularly in the wear layer, which often features premium hardwoods.
Installation costs also vary by thickness. Thinner boards are faster to install and require fewer specialised cuts, potentially reducing labour costs. Thicker options demand more precise fitting around stair nosings and may require additional subfloor preparation, increasing installation expenses by 20-40% compared to thin alternatives.
Conclusion
Selecting the right thickness of engineered wood flooring for your stairs requires balancing practical considerations with aesthetic preferences. When installing engineered wood flooring on stairs, thinner options offer easier installation and minimal height changes but may sacrifice longevity. Medium-thickness flooring provides an excellent compromise for most homes, while premium thick boards deliver maximum durability and acoustic benefits at a higher price point and installation complexity.
Ready to transform your staircase with beautiful, durable engineered wood flooring? Lumber King makes choosing the perfect thickness simple. Get your free king size samples today to feel the quality, compare options, and visualise the transformation in your own home!
