Research and Learn about Decorative Concrete
Interior Floors: Acid Stained Concrete; Interior Concrete Floors; Concrete Overlays; Basement Floors; Concrete Polishing; Decorative Engraving; Concrete Dyes; Stenciling Interior Floors; Concrete Resurfacing; Radiant Floor Heating; Garage Floor Coatings
Interior Concrete: Concrete Countertops; Concrete Fireplace Surrounds; Faux Wall Coverings; Concrete Furniture; Sinks and Vessels
Outdoor Concrete: Concrete Patios; Stamped Concrete; Concrete Driveways; Concrete Pool Decks; Concrete Countertops; Outdoor Living Rooms; Concrete Walkways; Concrete Resurfacing; Acid Stained Concrete; Colored Concrete; Exposed Aggregate; Rock Salt Finish; Stenciled Concrete; Decorative Engraving; Pavers; Faux Wall Coverings
Foundation Repair/Waterproofing: Foundation Repair; Concrete Crack Repair; Foundation Waterproofing; Basement Wall Repair
Building with Concrete: Concrete Homes; Finished Basements; Decorative Concrete; Concrete Basements; Pervious Concrete; Green Building
Maintaining Concrete: Clean and Seal; Make Existing Concrete Better
Other Concrete Info: California Concrete; Florida Concrete; Texas Concrete

Concrete Step Decorative Enhancements

Once you work with a contractor to come up with a functional stair design, you can begin narrowing down your decorative options. Here are some ideas for creating concrete stairways that are a step above the ordinary. For more inspiration, browse through photo gallery or ask contractors to show you portfolios of their past projects.

Choose a color scheme
The same methods used for coloring exterior concrete flatwork are equally suitable for stairways. The most popular include adding integral color, staining, and applying dry-shake color hardener. Some contractors combine these techniques to produce unique color variations and marbling effects.

Color hardener and integral color are the methods most commonly used with stamped concrete, with each offering advantages and disadvantages. Stairways are often easier to color integrally because of their vertical step faces. But if you want the richness of color and added durability provided by a dry shake, its possible to apply the hardener to stair risers if its mixed into a paste first, says Chris Sullivan, national technical director of QC Construction Products. He advises contractors to mix the color hardener with water and a concrete bonding agent to achieve a consistency similar to cake icing and then apply the paste with a small trowel or float before stamping.

You don't have to limit a stairway design to one pattern or color.
Contrast adds drama and interest, as with this juxtaposition of
red brick and tan fieldstone patterns.
Photo courtesy of Elite Crete.

Pick a pattern
There are literally hundreds of stamp patterns to choose from, ranging from slate, to brick, to cobblestone, to botanical and wildlife themes. Because today's stamping mats are often molded from the actual materials they mimic, they produce amazingly realistic results. By extending the pattern from sidewalk to stairway to landing, the overall effective is even more impressive.

Contractors can make a seamless transition from flat surfaces to steps by using thin flex mats or texture skins in the same pattern as the rigid mats used for stamping the concrete flatwork. Made from a pliable urethane, these mats are easily bent to a 90-degree angle to conform to stair risers. Another handy way to imprint granite, slate, and other stone-like textures on narrow step treads and vertical faces is to use small texture rollers, such as these from Bon Tool Co.

Expose the aggregate
With an exposed-aggregate finish, you can achieve spectacular effects at a reasonable cost. Many types and sizes of decorative aggregate are available to achieve unlimited color and texture variations. Exposed aggregate also contrasts beautifully with plain concrete or other decorative treatments such as stamping, staining, and integral coloring. On exterior stairways, an exposed-aggregate finish offers the additional benefits of being nonskid and resistant to heavy foot traffic and weather extremes.

ConcreteNetwork.com

Replicate natural cut stone
Textured liners designed specifically for use with step forms make it possible to mold rustic cut-stone profiles in step faces. Step-Liners from Brickform, for example, produce amazing depth of relief of up to 1 1D2 inches. They are made from a reusable polyurethane material and are simply attached to the inside of the riser form before the concrete is poured.

Specially molded polyurethane form liners make it easy to
cast concrete steps that resemble slabs of quarried stone.
Photo courtesy of Brickform.

Form fancy edges
Rather than going with a sharp 90-degree step edge, you can create a variety of curved architectural profiles by using step liners made of polystyrene foam. Suppliers include Stegmeier, Mortex Mfg. Mortex Mfg. and Bon Tool Co.

These foam forms adhere to the inside of the formwork and can accommodate various step heights. They also can be bent to conform to curvilinear steps.

Curved step noses enhance the architectural flair of this elegant
pattern-stamped stairway. Photo courtesy of Concrete Art.