Tiles on stairs problematic? How did you do that?

Hello everyone,

I have chosen the following tiles for sampling:
IGA Centra anthracite matte 37.5 x 75

The tiles are used throughout the house. Only in the bathroom is the gray version used, but basically, they are all the same tiles. I also wanted a lighter anthracite with little texture, which was already not easy to find.

Now I was asked what should be done with the stairs, I was supposed to sample something here as well (e.g., granite). I have a straight staircase with a landing, 1.1m wide. My first answer was that I also want the tiles there to keep it uniform. Unfortunately, IGA does not offer tiles for stair steps like other manufacturers do.

However, there have been various statements that unsettle me:

[*]The tread surface of the steps becomes smaller because the tile cannot overhang like a granite slab, for example.
[*]An aluminum profile is needed on the front edge (which is okay for me, I have chosen a narrow one). However, since the tile must be cut, the joint at the front on the rail becomes quite uneven.

I would be interested in your opinion.
How is the "underrun" handled? Is that still done today?
Does anyone have tiled stairs? How do the joints look on the cut surfaces?

Thank you.

You don't need an understep. Some still do it today. The overstep should be at least 26cm, otherwise it becomes uncomfortable.

The basement stairs are tiled in our house. Since they are winding, a lot of cutting had to be done and accordingly time was invested. I don’t miss risers, but our stairs were planned comfortably from the start.

Other stairs are covered with wood and have risers because we find it prettier that way. But if you like it without, that’s also fine. :-)

I don’t understand the argument about the cut edges. They just shouldn’t place those edges in front, but at the back (do you have risers? Those get grouted anyway?!). Besides, I actually expect a good tiler to be able to make straight cuts. ;-)

You just have to consider which grout pattern you want, as that has a huge impact on the waste (grout in the middle -> two tiles of 55 cm length / or offset to the sides -> 1 whole tile and 1x 35 cm, then use the rest of the cut tile on the next step).

What I don’t remember off the top of my head are the stringers. With wood, we left the plaster a bit recessed, with tiles I think we plastered flush there but no longer have aluminum profiles (which doesn’t bother me, since it’s the basement stairs).

One more thing just came to mind: how is the railing supposed to be? In our case it was surface-mounted, which was unproblematic. For natural stone, I would ask if the stonemason needs to prepare holes in advance if the railing is to be surface-mounted on the steps/ not installed in the stairwell.

Can look like this. However, cut edges not at the front, but at the back (why at the front anyway?)

Ours looks similar to Nordanney's. I find the aluminum rail quite nice. The cut edge was not made at the front, but at the back. At the front, simply the smooth edge of the tile was used. Ultimately, the tile cutter's cut is not much rougher. Once grouted, you don't really see it that much anymore. The tread corresponds to that of the concrete stairs. It's enough for us; we don't miss the riser. I see your concerns as unfounded.