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
Durability
They are quite durable, especially when filled with concrete
Maintenance
Maintenance is minimal with metal pan stair treads
Sturdiness
These stair treads are usually firm and strong, thus minimizing safety risks during usage and promoting structural integrity
Choices
There are many metal options to pick from, most of which are strong and attractive
Usage Safety
Slip-resistant options are also available
Functionality
They can be used for staircases pretty much anywhere, including the exterior
Eco Friendliness
They are made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials
Cons of Metal Pan Stair Treads
Cost
They can be costlier than other types of treads
Installation Time
Installation can be rather time-consuming
Construction Safety
Safety hazards are a possibility during construction
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
