Guide · East Sussex · BN1
Brighton Microcement staircases and risers: what actually goes on the wall
For Brighton refurb clients, microcement staircases and risers sits at the intersection of two things they've usually already tried: the tile-and-grout route (grout-line fatigue) and full-slab stone (cost). microcement staircases and risers solves both — one continuous mineral surface at roughly a third of the stone-and-fixings price. The Brighton catchment we work across covers BN1, BN2 — reached via the A23 London Road, 5 min from our brighton workshop via the a23. Nearby coverage includes Hove (2 mi), Rottingdean (3 mi), Saltdean (4 mi). Site conditions matter here: salt-heavy coastal air demands UV-stable polyaspartic top-coats. That shapes the primer and sealer specification below, not just the visible finish.
What to watch for on quote comparison
- ✕Ignoring squeak — the crack line appears the first month.
- ✕Sharp 90° tread nose — chips on first use; radius 5 mm minimum.
- ✕Missing anti-slip broadcast on the nose — the sealer alone is a slip hazard.
- ✕Standard 3-coat sealer without floor-grade PU — wears through in a year on a busy stair.
- ✕Attempting a stair as a first-time DIY — the failure rate is close to 100%.
The spec sheet
What the finish sits on
A microcement staircase covers treads, risers and stringers in one continuous finish. The substrate must be squeak-free — moving timber under a rigid mineral finish is what causes crack lines at the nose. Screw-and-glue the treads and risers, dust off, then a proprietary bonding primer.
How to make it read as designed, not applied
A single-colour staircase from tread to stringer reads as sculpted rather than assembled. Contrast the wall paint 2 tones lighter than the microcement so the stair holds the eye. A brass or oak handrail against a warm-grey microcement stair is a signature detail.
Working in Brighton
How the install actually runs
- Structural prepDay 1
Timber staircase screw-and-glued; noses radiused; substrate dust-free and primed.
- Base and meshDay 2
Reinforced base coat with fibreglass mesh at every junction.
- ColourDay 3–4
Two 1 mm colour coats, hand-trowelled — the trickiest surface in the whole system to trowel evenly.
- Sealer + nosingDay 5–6
3 coats floor-grade polyurethane; anti-slip aggregate broadcast on the nosing.
Brighton — frequently asked
Other guides for Brighton
Microcement staircases and risers — other Sussex towns
Related products & services
The short version
Brighton staircases in one line: mineral finish, single continuous surface, hand-applied by our own team, £2,800–£6,500 per installation, 3–5 working days on site. Free survey with a written spec back inside 3 working days.