Where can Giallo Siena marble be used?
In interiors, and in the parts of a building that are seen rather than walked on.
Answer
Is Giallo Siena marble good for a staircase?
Where the stone goes, and what changes when it does
Yes, and the two things that decide a staircase of Giallo Siena marble are the tread finish and the edge. A honed tread is the usual choice because it takes the foot rather than the eye, and a bullnose or eased arris is what keeps the nosing from chipping.
The figures
| Consideration | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tread finish | Honed, for a surface that is used rather than admired | Finish dictionary |
| Edge profile | Bullnose, eased, or a mitre depending on the detail | Edge profile dictionary |
| Slip on the tread | 43 dry / 16 wet USRV on honed, published | EN 14231-04 |
| Support | The stair carries the load; the stone is the wearing surface | Installation guidance |
Why this stone behaves this way
A stair is the hardest wearing surface on a stone project, and it concentrates the load at the nosing. The structure carries it; the stone has to survive the impact and the foot, which is why the arris is detailed rather than left square.
What these figures are, and what they are not The published slip figure is for the honed surface and for the material. A stair that gets wet is a different specification, and the published figures do not cover a tread in the rain.
Where these figures come from
- S1 granitalsiena.com — Giallo Siena marble technical sheet (EN standard test values; Politecnico di Torino marble laboratory)
- S16 the architect complete specification guide to marble (bookmatching, edge profiles, calibration, finish behaviour)
Where to go next
On the same subject
More questions about Giallo Siena marble
Is Giallo Siena marble suitable for a kitchen worktop?
Yes, cut to size and edge-finished as specified, and it is asked for as a worktop regularly.
Can Giallo Siena marble be used for a feature wall?
Yes, and a bookmatched feature wall is the use this stone is most often photographed for.
Can Giallo Siena marble be used in a bathroom?
Yes, on walls, vanity tops and shower surrounds, with the wet-area treatment specified.
This answer sits on the Where the stone goes, and what changes when it does page, with the rest of the questions about it.
ApplicationsAsk for a price
A thickness, a format, a finish, a quantity and a destination will get you a quotation for Giallo Siena marble.
Is Giallo Siena marble good for a staircase?