When it’s time to replace stair treads on an apartment building, one of the first decisions is material: concrete or metal? Both have a long track record on multi-family buildings, and the right choice depends on your building’s existing structure, your budget, your climate, and how you plan to maintain the property long-term.
This comparison covers the real-world differences between concrete and metal stair treads as they apply to apartment complexes along Utah’s Wasatch Front — where freeze-thaw cycles, road salt, and heavy foot traffic are all part of the equation.
Concrete Stair Treads: The Standard for Utah Apartments
Concrete is the most common stair tread material on existing Utah apartment complexes. Most buildings from the 1970s through 2000s use either precast concrete treads sitting on metal pan stringers, or poured-in-place concrete over a metal frame. If your building currently has concrete treads, replacing them with the same material is usually the simplest path.
Advantages of Concrete Treads
- Durability: Well-made concrete treads with proper air entrainment can last 30-50 years in Utah’s climate
- Traction: Concrete naturally provides good slip resistance, especially with a broom finish or exposed aggregate surface
- Sound dampening: Concrete is quieter underfoot than metal — a real consideration for multi-family housing
- Familiar to tenants: Concrete steps look and feel standard; they don’t draw attention the way an unusual material might
- Cost-effective: Precast concrete treads are competitively priced and fast to install
Disadvantages of Concrete Treads
- Freeze-thaw vulnerability: Utah’s climate is concrete’s biggest enemy. Without proper air entrainment and sealing, concrete treads crack and spall
- Weight: Concrete treads are heavy, which means the underlying metal structure must be in good condition to support them
- Salt damage: De-icing salt accelerates concrete deterioration. Properties near heavily salted roads or parking lots see faster degradation
- Repair difficulty: You can’t really “patch” a concrete tread effectively. Once it deteriorates past a certain point, the whole tread needs replacement
Metal (Steel) Stair Treads: The Industrial Option
All-metal stair treads — typically made from galvanized steel grating, diamond plate, or perforated steel — are common on commercial and industrial buildings and are increasingly used on apartment complexes where durability and low maintenance are priorities.
Advantages of Metal Treads
- Freeze-thaw immunity: Metal doesn’t crack from freeze-thaw cycling. This is a significant advantage in Utah
- Drainage: Open grating treads drain water and snow, preventing the ice buildup that plagues concrete treads
- Longevity: Galvanized steel treads can last 50+ years with minimal maintenance
- Lighter weight: Metal treads weigh less than concrete, which can matter when the supporting structure is aging
- Easier replacement: Individual damaged metal treads can be unbolted and replaced without disturbing the rest of the staircase
Disadvantages of Metal Treads
- Noise: Metal treads are louder, especially with open grating. In apartment buildings, noise carries to units near staircases
- Aesthetics: Some property managers feel metal grating looks too industrial for residential settings
- Traction: Smooth metal surfaces can be slippery when wet. This is addressed with diamond plate, grating patterns, or anti-slip coatings, but it requires attention
- Cost: Galvanized steel treads typically cost more upfront than precast concrete, though the lifecycle cost may be lower
The Utah Climate Factor
Utah’s Wasatch Front climate is the single biggest factor in this decision. With 100+ freeze-thaw cycles per year in the valley and even more at higher elevations, concrete treads face relentless attack. The widespread use of magnesium chloride and sodium chloride on roads and parking lots adds chemical assault to the mechanical stress of freezing water.
For properties where stair treads are in direct sun exposure (south and west-facing), summer UV also degrades sealants and coatings faster than in shaded locations. Buildings in Sandy, Draper, and along the east bench see particularly intense UV and temperature swings due to elevation and aspect.
Our Recommendation for Most Utah Apartments
For most apartment stair replacement projects along the Wasatch Front, we recommend matching the existing material type while upgrading the quality. If your building has concrete treads on metal pans, we install high-quality precast concrete with proper air entrainment for freeze-thaw resistance. If your building has all-metal stairs, we use hot-dip galvanized steel for maximum corrosion resistance.
The exception: if your concrete treads are failing prematurely (less than 20 years) due to heavy salt exposure or particularly harsh conditions, it may be worth discussing a switch to galvanized metal treads for that staircase. We can walk through the options during a free on-site assessment.
