Comparing stair renovation systems
Not every system fits every situation. A choice that looks attractive at first glance may disappoint years later — in appearance, safety or maintenance. On this page we objectively compare the common methods based on technical performance and material properties.
Where it goes wrong: most choices are driven by price or looks. Rarely compared: anti-slip, fire safety, wear resistance and whether seams or caulk lines remain visible. You renovate a staircase once. The consequences of a wrong choice you see every day.
Reading time: ~6 minutes · Based on: EN 660-2 · NEN 7909 · Bfl-s1 · NEN EN 13501-1 · Netherlands · Belgium · Germany
The most common renovation methods
Every method has its own context of use. The question is not which system is cheapest, but which system performs best for your specific staircase and use case.
Overlay treads — tread on tread
MDF/HDF base with laminate, PVC or HPL finish. Bonded onto existing treads. The common standard solution.
Stair cladding — PVC or laminate
Thin cladding, glued or clicked onto existing treads. Wide colour range, lowest entry price.
Coating — seamless finish
Liquid layers applied by hand. Sleek, seam-free design, but strongly dependent on craftsmanship.
Wood or solid natural stone
Solid materials. Luxurious appearance, high weight, labour-intensive installation and higher investment.
What determines performance of a stair renovation system?
Every provider explains appearance and price. Rarely compared objectively are the technical properties that determine how a staircase behaves after years of use — and whether it meets safety and lifespan requirements.
| Property | Traditional systems | New generation |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 8–15 mm | ± 4.3 mm |
| Nosing shortening | ✗ Often required | ✓ Not needed |
| Anti-slip (R-value) | ✗ Often unspecified | ✓ R10–R11 (NEN 7909) |
| Wear resistance | Limited / AC-class | ✓ EN 660-2 certified |
| Fire class | ✗ Often unspecified | ✓ Bfl-s1 |
| Outdoor use | ✗ Usually not | ✓ Indoor and outdoor |
| Narrow / old stairs | ✗ Limited | ✓ Applicable |
| Project use | ✗ Limited | ✓ Homes + commercial + public |
| Caulking needed | ✗ Yes | ✓ Minimal or none |
| MOHS hardness | Unknown | 6–7 |
Structure and depth — also in concrete look and terrazzo
Traditional systems rely on flat prints and standard patterns. They look fine at first, but lack the depth and tactility of real material. The most searched finishes in stair renovation — concrete look and marble look — are popular precisely because of their material character.
Modern overlay treads in recycled natural stone composite have a tactile structure. The anti-slip lives in the colour pigments themselves, not as a layer that can wear off. Colours are fully customisable.
Stone — plain and mottled
Clean stone look with plain or speckled structure. Popular as a concrete-look alternative with real material depth and tactile texture.
Terrazzo
Lively stone structure with colour accents. Playful and timeless, suitable for both modern and classic interiors.
Concrete
Industrial look with authentic concrete structure. Exclusively available in EverStep Solid for heavy duty applications.
EverStep, EverStep Solid and Signature
All three built on the same patented composite material. The difference lies in application, load capacity and finishing depth.
| Property | EverStep | EverStep Solid | Signature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness | ± 4.3 mm | ± 4.3 mm | Variable |
| Finishes | Stone plain / mottled / Terrazzo | Stone / Terrazzo / Concrete | Fully custom |
| Nosing | Integrated | Integrated | Integrated |
| Anti-slip | R10–R11 | R10–R11 | R10–R11 |
| Fire class | Bfl-s1 | Bfl-s1 + class B | Bfl-s1 |
| Coating | PU | SolidLux UVB Corp producer | PU |
| Application | Homes via dealer | Homes + commercial + public | Complete stair finish |
| Outdoor | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Wear resistance | EN 660-2 | EN 660-2 (heavy duty) | EN 660-2 |
| Caulking | Minimal | Minimal | ✓ Not needed |
SolidLux UV coating by Koninklijke Van Wijhe Verf — solvent-free, low CO₂ footprint, fire class B (NEN EN 13501-1), BREEAM contribution. Van Wijhe Verf is the first chemical company in the world to be B Corp certified (reconfirmed 2024). Fire class B makes EverStep Solid the only overlay tread qualified for public buildings where competitors cannot be used.
Sustainability you can substantiate
Stair renovation is already a sustainable choice in itself — you keep the existing structure and only replace the top layer. But not all systems are equal when it comes to material choice and production impact. Omnistair goes beyond generic claims.
Recycled natural stone composite
Treads made from recycled natural stone. No new quarries, no fossil feedstock as the base of the material.
B Corp certified coating producer
SolidLux UV coating by Van Wijhe Verf — the first chemical company worldwide to achieve B Corp certification, reconfirmed in 2024.
Tested to strictest European VOC standard
SolidLux is tested by Eurofins and meets the Indoor Air Comfort Gold standard — the strictest European standard for VOC emissions and indoor air quality.
Solvent-free — no VOC emissions
SolidLux UV coating contains no solvents. No odour, no harmful substances in indoor air during or after installation.
Selected Beyond Circular / InCoDa 2025
Externally selected for circular innovation — independent recognition of material choice and production method.
Low CO₂ footprint
UV curing without solvents and minimal material loss during production result in a demonstrably lower CO₂ footprint than conventional coating systems.
Which system fits your situation?
The right choice depends on use, location and expectations. The overview below helps with a first orientation — a certified Omnistair dealer always advises on a case-by-case basis.
Frequently asked questions about stair renovation
Overlay treads are prefab elements placed entirely over the existing tread — including the nosing. Stair cladding is a thin cover layer (PVC, laminate) glued directly onto the tread. Overlay treads are more structural and technically better specified; cladding is cheaper but less robust and often shows visible seams and caulk lines.
Traditional MDF/HDF overlay treads are 8 to 15 mm thick. The new generation in recycled natural stone composite (such as EverStep) is only 4.3 mm thin — strong as steel, four times lighter than solid stone. Thanks to the minimal thickness, nosings do not need to be shortened and narrow or older staircases can also be renovated.
The R-value (DIN 51130) indicates the anti-slip class. R10 is suitable for normal living and working environments. R11 offers higher friction resistance and is required in wetter environments. NEN 7909 is the Dutch standard for anti-slip on stairs — EverStep meets this in every colour. The anti-slip is embedded in the colour pigments themselves, not applied as a top layer that can wear off.
Most traditional overlay treads (MDF/laminate) are unsuitable for outdoor use due to moisture sensitivity. EverStep and EverStep Solid in recycled natural stone composite are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use — frost-resistant, UV-stable and resistant to changing weather conditions.
Bfl-s1 is the fire safety classification for floor products according to EN 13501-1. Bfl stands for limited contribution to fire; s1 for minimal smoke development. This is the highest fire safety class for floor and stair finishes. Many traditional systems do not state a fire class — for commercial and public buildings this is a requirement.
Yes. EverStep is available in Stone (plain and mottled) and Terrazzo. EverStep Solid is also available in Concrete. Unlike printed patterns, the material has a real, tactile structure. Anti-slip (R10–R11) and fire safety (Bfl-s1) are identical across all variants. Colours are fully customisable.
Stair renovation is always more sustainable than full replacement — you preserve the load-bearing structure. Within renovation systems, sustainability differs significantly. EverStep is made from recycled natural stone composite and finished with SolidLux UV coating from Koninklijke Van Wijhe Verf — the first chemical company in the world to achieve B Corp certification, solvent-free and with a low CO₂ footprint. SolidLux is tested by Eurofins and meets the Indoor Air Comfort Gold standard. Omnistair has been selected by Beyond Circular / InCoDa 2025.
Yes. With a thickness of only 4.3 mm and an integrated nosing, EverStep treads can be applied on staircases where traditional systems do not fit — narrow treads, irregular profiles or stairs with limited headroom. This makes EverStep suitable for situations where other providers cannot deliver.
Want to be sure which system fits your staircase?
Get advice from a certified Omnistair dealer in your region. No obligations — just an honest technical answer.
References — Based on analysis of stair renovation systems in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Technical standards: EN 660-2, NEN 7909, Bfl-s1, NEN EN 13501-1, DIN 51130 (R-values), MOHS hardness scale. Selected InCoDa 2025 / Beyond Circular. Market volume data: Traprenovatie Marktmonitor 2024, Marktdata.nl.