At Apexa, precision is everything.
One of the most important – and often overlooked – details we ask for before manufacturing your MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) is the thickness of your chosen floor coverings.

Whether you’re laying tiles, carpet, vinyl or hybrid flooring, we need to know the final build-up before we start designing, cutting, and assembling your staircase.

It might sound like a small detail but getting it wrong can lead to big problems.
Here’s why.

1. Stair compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).

The National Construction Code of Australia (NCC) sets out specific requirements for stair geometry to ensure safety and usability. Under Volume 2 – NCC 2019, Clause 3.9.1.2, the rise and going of each stair tread must fall within strict limits:

• Riser height: between 115mm (min) and 190mm (max)
• Going (depth of tread): between 240mm and 355mm
• Tolerances: All risers and all goings must be consistent within a flight – variation can’t exceed 5mm between the smallest and largest riser or going in the same flight.

If the thickness of a floor covering isn’t factored into the staircase design, it can throw these dimensions out of compliance – even by a few millimetres.

That could mean the stairs fail final building inspection or worse, create a tripping hazard.

2. It impacts the first and last riser.

In every staircase installation, floor coverings are added after the stair has been installed – especially in developments where stairs are delivered early in the build. If the top or bottom floor finish adds height that wasn’t accounted for, it alters the first and last riser.

And these are the most critical risers. According to the NCC, the difference between the smallest and largest riser in a flight must not exceed 5mm – including after finishes have been applied. Even a 10mm vinyl floor that wasn’t accounted for, or a 6mm villa board underlay which is almost always laid before tiles on an MDF Staircase can push the riser height out and make your staircase non-compliant.

That’s why we’ll always ask:
“What’s the final floor finish – and how thick is it?”

At Apexa, we build that into our manufacturing spec, so your stairs are safe, compliant and ready for install – with no nasty surprises at fit-off.

3. It’s about doing it right, first time.

We manufacture and deliver complete stair and balustrade packages using our better, faster, smarter systems. Every staircase is machine-cut to size with precision, pre-drilled, and ready for install – no trimming, no rework, no delays.

But that only works if we have the right information upfront. And floor finish thickness is a key part of that.

Skipping this step can lead to:

• Incorrect riser heights.
• Failed building inspections.
• On-site adjustments.
• Delays to handover.
• Extra cost and coordination.

We’re here to avoid all of that. That’s why we’ll always ask about finishes during quoting, design and final sign-off.

Need help? We’ll guide you through it.

Not sure what flooring is going in yet? That’s completely fine – we can hold off on manufacturing until your client has confirmed their final floor selections.
We understand flooring choices are often made later in the build, and they’re not always front of mind when stairs are being planned.

But they matter. So, when you’re ready, we’ll make sure every detail – including floor finish thickness – is factored in before we begin. That way, your staircase arrives compliant, accurate and ready for install.

We’ve been doing this for over 40 years, and we know how to help you avoid the common pitfalls. Our team works closely with builders and project managers every step of the way to make sure it’s done right, first time, on time, and on budget.

In summary

Knowing your floor finish thickness:

✅ Keeps your stair geometry compliant with the NCC.
✅ Prevents costly rework or delays on site.
✅ Ensures a safe, finished product for the end user.
✅ Helps us deliver to our promise of quality on all levels.

Ready to go?

Whether you’re finalising selections or quoting early – stage plans, get in touch.

We’ll walk you through the details we need and help make your next stair or balustrade project smoother, smarter and stress-free. Start the conversation, built around your project. Chat to our team today.