The DURASTEP WOOD profiles from Dural are extraordinary staircase profiles for indoor use (Toscana, Provence) and include the DURASTEP WOOD Garden and Garden type S profiles for outdoor applications. DURASTEP WOOD not only protects the front edge of the stairs but also provides visual embellishment to the steps.

Material:

The DURASTEP WOOD profiles for indoor use (Toscana, Provence) are made of European oak and feature a tread surface with a finely textured grain. The wood has a maximum residual moisture of 8% and therefore is practically non-shrinking. DURASTEP WOOD Garden and Garden type S profiles are made of hard afzelia wood and are thus particularly well suited for exterior use. The visual surface of the profile is 50 mm in width and the carrier profile consists of a DUROSOL angle profile with an extra-wide contact base.

Characteristic features:

The DURASTEP WOOD profiles (Toscana, Provence) were developed for all application areas that are not subject to very frequent use. This includes residential areas and less used public areas. DURASTEP WOOD Garden and Garden type S profiles are made of hard afzelia wood and are thus particularly well suited for exterior use. In normal use, they are unlikely to suffer damage.

All types of wood may show typical signs of wear and tear eventually due to the consistency of wood. The wood is not treated. Therefore care should be taken when laying to ensure that the surface is protected against any materials (including water) used during the laying process. It is recommended that the surface of the oak profiles be painted or varnished beforehand. Afzelia wood for outdoor use does not need to be painted or varnished, although the same protective measures need to be observed during installation. Since this wood is open to the elements it may change colour quite extensively.

The profiles are firmly embedded into the covering. The contact base is extra wide and ensures optimum bonding to the tile surface. Given that the carrier profile is made of aluminium the following is to be taken into consideration: the staircase profiles can be used in any location where no exceptional chemical reactions are to be expected. To avoid corrosion careful handling of cement-based materials is required. Aluminium is sensitive to alkaline materials. The profile is to be completely embedded into the contact layer. This avoids the formation of cavities where alkaline solutions of water might accumulate. The appropriation respect resistance to mechanical and chemical stresses is to be checked for the individual case.

Handling:

1. Select the DURASTEP WOOD profile according to tile thickness. It is unconditionally required to tape the wooden surface. Pay attention that mortar and water cannot enter in contact with the wood because this might cause staining and swelling.
2. Place the covering material height-related to the raiser.
3. Apply tiling cement in the aluminium edge area only using a toothed tiling trowel.
4. Apply polyurethane adhesive evenly over the full surface of the wooden profile's underside and the foundations.
5. Press the DURASTEP WOOD carrier profile tightly into the cement bed and align the front edge flush with the raiser tile.
6. Completely cover the aluminium base and comb the adhesive with a serrated trowel.
7. Thereafter, tightly press tiles in and align the tiles flush with the upper profile edge. Embed the tiles thoroughly.
8. Leave a joint of 2-3 mm between tile and profile.
9. Completely fill the space between tiles and profile with grout. Remove the protective film, if required.
10. Apply the appropriate final treatment to the wooden surface (staining, varnish or similar).

Care:

DURASTEP WOOD profiles are not treated when delivered to allow one of many final treatments the user might prefer, e.g. by impregnating or scumble. The instructions for care given by the wood treatment product manufacturer are unconditionally to be observed.