How to Veneer Stairs

Adding veneer to your stairs makes them smoother, safer and more aesthetically pleasing. If your stairs are a cake, then veneer is the icing. It's a layer that you don't need, but one that makes your stairs look more complete. To properly veneer the steps, you have to seal the veneer in place using mortar, almost like tiling a floor.

Mortar mix
Stone veneer
High pressure hose
Trowel
Level
Grout bag or brick trowel
Stiff brush

Instructions

- 1
  Blast your stairs clean using a high-pressure hose. To ensure a solid bond between the veneer and the steps, the stairs need to be clean of dirt, debris and loose rocks. After it is clean, wait for it to dry.
- 2
  Mix your mortar to a creamy consistency, according to its instructions. With your trowel, spread a 1/2-inch-thick layer of mortar across the stair and a thinner layer across the bottom of a stone veneer piece. Press the veneer piece into the stair, twisting it slightly as you press down.
- 3
  Press another piece of veneer into the mortar, leaving a slight gap between the veneer pieces. Lay a level across the two pieces to ensure they are the same height.
- 4
  Continue pressing veneer pieces into the mortar, leaving uniform gaps between them. Use your level as you go so the surface is flat and even.
- 5
  Fill the gaps between veneer pieces using either a grout bag or a brick trowel. Clean any mortar off of the veneer's surface using a stiff brush before it sets.

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