Porcelain Stair Cladding in Vinings
About This Project
This Vinings home staircase was clad in a two-tone gray porcelain combination: a lighter gray on the treads and a medium gray on the risers, separated by an aluminum stair nosing. The contrast between tread and riser makes each step visually distinct, which is both a design choice and a practical safety consideration.
The aluminum nosing profile was set in thin-set first and allowed to cure before the tread tile was cut to meet it. This sequence matters because cutting the tread tile to fit against an already-set nosing gives a tighter fit than trying to set both simultaneously. The nosing also protects the tile edge at the most vulnerable point on a stair tread, where foot traffic concentrates.
The home is in the Vinings Estates area, where the open-plan entry staircase is a prominent architectural feature. The homeowner wanted something that would hold up to daily traffic without looking like a typical residential tile job.
What We Did
- Assessed stair framing; installed cement backer board on treads and risers
- Set aluminum stair nosing profiles in modified thin-set; allowed full cure
- Cut and set medium gray riser tile, then light gray tread tile to meet nosing
- Grouted with gray sanded grout; sealed all joints
