Give your home a new makeover by including stone stair

Stone cantilevered staircases are not uncommon. Everyone has seen one, usually an elegant, flowing sweep of stairs in an 18th century building, and yet they are still intriguing. Generally, the individual stone treads were rectangular in section in the 17th and early 18th century, then modillion shaped in the mid and late 18th (giving a rippling soffit) and finally triangular in section in the late 18th century and Regency.

In today's world Most of the residential and business constructions have used RCC as skeletal architecture. They use natural stone veneers, natural stone step pavers and other components made from stone or rocks to augment natural beauty and impress eyes of onlookers.

Stone stair case can also defined as perron in architecture generally refers to an external stairway to a building. In this article we are going to have a detailed discussion about stone stairs, it's advantages and disadvantages of each stone category. So, let's commence with different types of stones used for the construction of stone stairs.

Categories of stones used for stone stairs

Rocks are geologically classified according to characteristics such as mineral and chemical composition, permeability, the texture of the constituent particles, and particle size. These physical properties are the end result of the processes that formed the rocks. Over the course of time, rocks can transform from one type into another, as described by the geological model called the rock cycle. These events produce three general classes of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

The three classes of rocks are subdivided into many groups. However, there are no hard and fast boundaries between allied rocks. By increase or decrease in the proportions of their constituent minerals they pass by every gradation into one another, the distinctive structures also of one kind of rock may often be traced gradually merging into those of another. Hence the definitions adopted in establishing rock nomenclature merely correspond to more or less arbitrary selected points in a continuously graduated series.

The primary stones used in the stone stairs are:

1. Metamorphic Stone
2. Sedimentary Stone
3. Igneous Stone
4. Artificial Stone

Metamorphic Stone

Metamorphic rocks started out as some other type of rock, but have been substantially changed from their original igneous, sedimentary, or earlier metamorphic form.

Metamorphic rocks form when rocks are subjected to high heat, high pressure, hot mineral-rich fluids or, more commonly, some combination of these factors. Conditions like these are found deep within the Earth or where tectonic plates meet.

Process of Metamorphism

The process of metamorphism does not melt the rocks, but instead transforms them into denser, more compact rocks. New minerals are created either by rearrangement of mineral components or by reactions with fluids that enter the rocks. Pressure or temperature can even change previously metamorphosed rocks into new types. Metamorphic rocks are often squished, smeared out, and folded. Despite these uncomfortable conditions, metamorphic rocks do not get hot enough to melt, or they would become igneous rocks!

Common Metamorphic Rocks: Common metamorphic rocks include marble and granite.

Marble

Using marble for stairs means choosing a material with an intrinsic strength, beauty and brilliance that only a stone with its history can possess: a primordial and wonderful story that is revealed through its colours and its many veins and it is even enhanced by the passage of time.

Slate

Slate tiles offer excellent slip resistance for your front entry stairs due to their natural texture. Installation on stairs is similar to installation on a floor with the exception of having to make more cuts to fit the tiles. Maintain the width of your treads and risers during installation by spreading the thin-set mortar a consistent thickness each time and then levelling the tiles as you go. With a good attention to detail, you can achieve a professional-looking installation.

Sedimentary Stone

Sedimentary rocks are formed at the earth?s surface by the accumulation and cementation of fragments of earlier rocks, minerals, and organisms or as chemical precipitates and organic growths in water (sedimentation). This process causes clastic sediments (pieces of rock) or organic particles (detritus) to settle and accumulate, or for minerals to chemically precipitate (evaporite) from a solution. The particulate matter then undergoes compaction and cementation at moderate temperatures and pressures (diagenesis). The best examples of sedimentary stones used for the creation of the stone stairs are.

Limestone Stairs

Limestone have a very good resistance to weather conditions. They are maintenance free. they offer endless possibilities as both a decorating and building material. They are suitable for both indoors as well as outdoor areas.

Sandstone Stairs

Sandstone is a porous rock, and its permeability shall depend on the size of its fragments and their distribution. Therefore, the emptier gaps between grains, the more permeable it will be. Sandstone have a matt, neutral tone appearance, which makes them ideal to combine with darker materials.

Travertine Stairs

Travertine is a multiple-faceted natural stone which forms around mineral spring deposits. This type of tile has been tested by time too. It is one of the most durable and reliable tiles across the globe. The Travertine stair is a self-supporting, solid stone construction with a strong yet graceful presence.

Igneous Stone

Igneous rock (derived from the Latin word igneous meaning of fire, from ignis meaning fire) forms through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. This magma can be derived from partial melts of pre-existing rocks in either a planet?s mantle or crust. Typically, the melting of rocks is caused by one or more of three processes: an increase in temperature, a decrease in pressure, or a change in composition.

Usage of Granite and its Components

Granite is strong, beautiful, and low maintenance, making it an ideal building material for entryway steps, and ultimately adding unmatched curb appeal to your home.

Granite steps outperform wood, brick and concrete in harsh elements. They won?t chip or degrade, they?re virtually maintenance free and last for generations. Naturally durable, granite will withstand the freeze-thaw cycle.

Solid granite steps are a commonly used an attractive form of stone steps. As you would imagine they are made of a solid block of granite cut to size There are different types of granite that will vary slightly in colour and grain and edge treatment.

Usage of Basalt

Basalt

Basalt is a common extrusive igneous (volcanic) rock formed from the rapid cooling of basaltic lava exposed at or very near the surface of a planet or moon. Flood basalt describes the formation in a series of lava basalt flows. Nothing evokes more strength and drama in your home than Basalt stone slabs used for stairs.

Artificial stones

Artificial stone is called a building material that replaces the natural stone surfaces at external and internal walls. The artificial stones are produced with lightweight aggregates in order to have little weight compared to natural stones.

Terrazzo Stairs

Terrazzo is capable of forming many unique finishes. Terrazzo is described as a composite material, consisting of chips of marble, granite, quartz, glass, shell or other suitable materials. It uses either a cement or epoxy matrix as the binder. Terrazzo stairs are occasionally cast in place but more commonly precast. Whatever substrate, concrete or metal, terrazzo creates beautiful custom stair treads.

Stone Step and its Components

A Stair case has many parts. The most important component of stone stairs is the stone steps. Levelling up the landscaping game is simple when you take the right steps. Stone Step mainly comprises of treads, risers, nosing, and stringers. There are 5 different types of stone steps generally used in residences. So, let us have a look at these unique stone steps from a close view.

Rectangular Step

Rectangular Stone Steps are the steps in which the top back edge of one step supports the lower edge of the other.

Spandril Step

Step with an approximately triangular section, the hypotenuse of which is part of the soffit of a stone stair.

Slab Tread and Riser Stone Step

Wall stone is fit together to form risers for each step, leaving the top 2? to be capped with slab stone treads. If the steps are to be done entirely without mortar, it is necessary to have deep treads that can be embedded under the next step in order to best utilize the gravity holding it together. Tread & riser does tend to have a more formal look which is usually more suitable in an urban surrounding.

Cantilever tread slab as stone step

Cantilever stairs have independent steps which are anchored to a bearing wall or a stringer beam embedded in a wall with the help of steel pin and bolts.

Type of Stone Stairs

Looking at the application of stone stairs in residences, let us classify the stone stairs depending on three major categories:

Case 1: Types of stone stairs based on their layout

The architectural design of the building can determine the layout of your stone stair case. The factors that are taken into account are ceilings height, the shape and size of the room or landings at the top and bottom. Thus, we can classify types of stone stairs based on their layout.

Case 2: Types of stone stairs based on the type of stone used.

Depending on the local availability and the type of aesthetic feature, there are different stones used to build a stone stair.

Case 3: Types of stone stairs based on on-going trends.

Staircases are not only a necessity to get from one floor to another, but they are also a central feature of many buildings. While many homes are built with a standard straight staircase, there are different styles and shapes available. Depending on the space available for the staircase, its position in the room once can use impressive, smart stylish design of stone stairs.

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