Metal Pan Stair Treads

11 Pros and Cons of Metal Pan Stair Treads 

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Staircases are among the integral-most parts of any property, residential or commercial. When professionally designed they let you navigate different spaces or levels of a building with ease. Staircases are also an amazing way to increase the amount of space offered by a structure.

Given the sheer importance, property owners and designers need to really think about the type of staircase that will best work for the property and intended purposes. And whether it’s a home or commercial property, it’s best to go for something that will offer the utmost sturdiness and last for a long time.

And if you guessed right, this is exactly where metal pan stair treads come into play. This article will essentially take you through what metal pan stair treads are and the various kinds available, alongside their perks and demerits.

What Are Stair Treads?

First things first, stair treads are the horizontal steps of a staircase that help you up and down the stairs. They make the most conspicuous and one of the largest components of a staircase

This means that besides their sheer importance, the stair treads you pick can largely impact your staircase’s overall look.

Alongside nosing, this also makes stair treads among the most crucial components to think about carefully when building a new staircase from scratch or conducting a remodel. And of course, they come in a wide range of styles, materials, and finishes, so you can pick the one that best suits your sturdiness and design needs.

And for a few “almost obvious” reasons, metal options are among the most popular in today’s construction projects.

Different Styles of Stair Pans/Treads 

Stair pans are available in a wide range of styles. By material, below are some of the most common options available out there:

Wooden Treads

Mostly suitable when constructing a staircase for interior space, wood treads are from various types of wood. They can be painted or given a unique finish to make them an aesthetically appealing look. 

Some of the most common wood species used include red oak, white oak, walnut, and hard maple. Knotty pines, Brazilian cherry and distressed wood are also common, while ironwoods like Ipe or Cumaru are considered great for exterior staircases.

Image source: keuka-studios.com

Tile Treads

Here, tiles are used as a more durable and appealing alternative to wood. These stair treads are also fairly easy to integrate in the living room and maintain. They also come in a plethora of different shades and patterns, plus they can be designed to mimic the look of wood.

Image source: designsph.net

Metal Pan Stair Treads

As you can tell from the name, metal pan stair treads are constructed from one of a few types of metal. Popular metal options available for stair pans include carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or iron in various bent plate configurations and styles. One or several of these metals can be used in some parts of the rest of the staircase, including railings and the base structure of the stairs.

Image source: nationalreditread.com

Sometimes concrete is also added to the metal pans to make the structure more rigid and durable. When concrete is added, a 1.5-inch mixture is usually poured on the lip of each steel pan, fabricated, and then attached to the stringers of the stairs.

Besides these, glass, stone, and composite are also relatively common stair tread types in modern-day constructions.

Metal Pan Stair Tread Pros and Cons 

Pros of Metal Pan Stair Treads 

  1. Durability

They are quite durable, especially when filled with concrete

  1. Maintenance

Maintenance is minimal with metal pan stair treads

  1. Sturdiness

These stair treads are usually firm and strong, thus minimizing safety risks during usage and promoting structural integrity

  1. Choices

There are many metal options to pick from, most of which are strong and attractive

  1. Usage Safety

Slip-resistant options are also available

  1. Functionality

They can be used for staircases pretty much anywhere, including the exterior

  1. Eco Friendliness

They are made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials

Cons of Metal Pan Stair Treads 

  1. Cost

They can be costlier than other types of treads

  1. Installation Time

Installation can be rather time-consuming

  1. Construction Safety

Safety hazards are a possibility during construction

  1. Space

They can take up a lot of space

As you can see, metallic pan stair treads come bearing a lot of benefits. This is especially in terms of functionality, durability, maintenance, variety, and user safety. But they are also not without a few drawbacks. 

Hopefully, the above piece will help make it easy for you to pick the right stair treads for your needs, whether you are remodeling or constructing a new staircase for your commercial or residential building.

Featured Image: pexels

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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