I want to install prefinished hardwood on my stairs and I have no difficulty with the process. Typically, there are small variations in the width of the riser boards or the height of the notches cut in the stair jacks. Treads and risers install should start at the bottom step. Otherwise, go ahead and install your first two risers and then alternate between treads and risers. When alternate installation methods are used additional molding is sometimes installed to cover up imperfections of the fit. 7. Thanks for the answer; keep 'em coming. I didn’t think it mattered, so I went ahead and installed all the risers first, then the treads. Some treads and risers follow specific installation guidelines that may differ from the methods I’ve mentioned above. And don’t forget, since you’ve hidden the bottom of your riser behind the tread, the likelihood of it ever coming loose is next to nothing. If you don’t have a friend you can borrow one from, then there is always the rental desk at your home reno store or you can splurge and buy one – I can assure you that you will use it more than once! Then, you have to cut, glue, and nail in your new treads. Then the stair tread fits snug against the riser – not the subfloor or stringer. US passport protections and immunity when crossing borders, Prime numbers that are also a prime number when reversed. There is always the possibility that there is a small variation in the width of the riser boards or the height of the notches cut in the stair jacks. In this article, we will discuss how to install stair risers and treads, fastening methods, and installation best practices. Make sure to always install the first two risers first. *Preparation; Treads and risers should be installed directly over stair joist or (stringers). Just be sure to use wood glue or construction adhesive. Then you install the first tread, which fits above the bottom riser and against the riser behind the tread. Avoid over cutting the corner. And, you should probably. * T R E A D & R I S E R R E P L A C E M E N T 1. 2. The riser should always rest on the tread. The actual installation of stair treads and risers shouldn’t take you much more than a day unless you are including a railing, which would make it a two or three-day job depending on the complexity of your stair plan. You’ll also need access to the back of your stairs to screw through the subfloor into the risers and treads. Since the bottom of the risers will fit behind the treads, you have way more room for error on the bottom side of the riser. Every step counts. When installing stairs, install the riser first, and then the tread. My stair framing (in particular the two outermost stringers) was all jacked up due to some shoddy work by the original builder. Well....I described the time proven scheme used for decades. Ideally, skirt boards go down first so the risers and treads can butt into them tightly. Others prefer to place the tread first and place the riser on top of the tread, for additional support (Diagram B). Having a clean base to install new material is the best way to retrofit your stairs, as you won’t have to worry about how to affix your new treads and risers to the old ones. Before attaching stair treads it’s best to stain and finish them – this post discusses all of that too. If it's too snug, remove and trim it as necessary. If you want your stairs to have a perfect, unbroken “look” without any gaps between stair parts, then installing your risers first is your best bet. Some folks may really like the added cove molding but it does detract from the clean lines of the installation as shown above - particularly when a thicker tread is used. The correct answer is to install the riser first. The riser is installed first for the reason that you want a nice tight fit along the top of the riser to the tread above it. (picture borrowed from this other question). There are many different types of stair treads, and some will offer different methods of installation. It seems to me that I could hide the cut edges by installing the tread first, riser covers it (mill finished edge on the riser down) and then the nose lips over the riser (thus covering its cut edge). A Collins tread template is a great time saver. In reality, though, with modern prefinished floors pretty much nobody ever sands and refinishes them. Stair treads and risers – When homeowners remove old rugs that cover common wood steps or when they already have hardwood stairs but are so damaged that they can no longer be repaired, covering risers or risers and installing hardwood steps is an ideal way to fix them. We discovered this builder took some shortcuts by using 1/2" plywood for the stair risers that did not have a supporting system in the center of the step. It only takes a minute to sign up. Why can't std::array, 3> be initialized using nested initializer lists, but std::vector> can? You have to ensure that there are no gaps and spaces in the flooring and it is complete and perfect in every way. That’s when I discovered pre-cut stair treads and risers in unfinished pine and oak at my local home improvement store. Is there a reason to install the riser before the tread or am I fine to install the tread first (riser lips over)? Installation Tips for Stair Treads, Risers, and Banisters A skilled, experienced finish, cabinet and furniture man is looking at his first-ever staircase — and it's already framed. When you purchase your treads and risers, make sure you get the filler that matches the wood color and type of your material. Thanks for taking the time to read this article – I hope it helped you with your stair installation project. Are there any drawbacks in crafting a Spellwrought instead of a Spell Scroll? The treads and risers are the basic elements of the stair that make up its walking surface. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Lastly, when you’ve almost finished, you’ll need quite a bit of wood filler. Does this picture depict the conditions at a veal farm? Install stair treads or risers first mycoffeepot org stairway remodel part 3 installing new stair treads and risers diy stair makeover carpet to hardwood schooley caldwell an amazing staircase makeover from carpet to wood house of how to install new stair treads and railings tos diy. All step risers had to be corrected to provide better stability after the hardwood is installed. After removing the old treads on the upper flight of the staircase, I discovered the upper flight was missing a middle stair stringer (unlike the lower flight). When I laid out all the materials, I wasn’t sure whether to install stair treads or risers first. Fitting the risers first lets you slide the back edge of the tread tight against the riser. Important considerations to take into account when installing treads and risers are safety and comfort. I didn’t think it mattered, so I went ahead and installed all the risers first, then the treads. As shown above it should be obvious that the treads can be easily removed if they require repair or replacement. If your subfloor or stair stringers are in any way out of square or level, you’ll have a riser that doesn’t fit perfectly between the treads. Active Oldest Votes. Back-cut a slight angle on the riser ends approximately 1/4 inch behind the face. This will be hidden by the riser on top of it. Over 9100 different stair parts in dozens of wood species and sizes. A minimum of three supporting stringers are recommended. The primary reason is that when you install risers first, you can cut them to fit the entire face of the stair riser, from top to bottom. I think you do the riser first so that when you eventually sand and refinish the floor you don't have a gap under your riser. Treads are then installed on top of the first riser and against the second. Since the top step sometimes requires a transition piece or extra work to make it mesh with existing flooring on the upper level, it makes sense to finish the steps up to that point and do the final finishing touches after. Some co ntractors prefer installing the riser first, then installing the tread against the riser, fastening the riser to back edge of the tread with screws (Diagram A). If not, you can go right to measuring and removing the old treads. Dry-fit the treads and risers. Buy retro treads, stair treads, risers, and other stair parts for your staircase project, direct from the manufacturer. For safety, stair parts must be glued and nailed. Putting in all the risers first runs the risk of there being slight gaps or the tread not seating down all the way if the riser is too high. There is always the possibility that there is a small variation in the width of the riser boards or the height of the notches cut in the stair jacks. Are there any funding sources available for OA/APC charges? Starting at the bottom and working your way to the top is how most people choose to tackle this job. Remove any wood balusters currently there by cutting 12-inches below where they are connected to the handrail. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. The Janka hardness in some exotics may require the use of only adhesives or pre-drilled fasteners. Derivation of curl of magnetic field in Griffiths. rev 2020.12.8.38145, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Home Improvement Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. If you need to adjust, you can just remove the bottom riser and cut it accordingly and re-install. In a perfect world, where everything is square and level, you’d be able to get away with either installation type and not know the difference. Most carpenters and people knowledgeable about stair installations will instruct you to install your risers first. Putting the risers first will also allow you to level your treads. Big mistake, and I’ll tell you why below. We are mostly a no shoes in the house family which helps. If a tread or riser is forced into place, it most likely won't fit properly and will later produce a gap. Unfinished and prefinished stair parts are available in several stain colors available online. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. When I laid out all the materials, I wasn’t sure whether to install stair treads or risers first. Do the axes of rotation of most stars in the Milky Way align reasonably closely with the axis of galactic rotation? This allows the tread to set on the stringer with the most surface contact to the stringers, I use a minimal amount of adhesive to eliminate squeaks. If you already have a set of stairs and are wondering if you can just install new risers or treads over the top, be advised that your top and bottom step will be out of proportion with the other steps. Converting closed tread stairs to open tread stairs, Installing Pre-Finished Hardwood on Stairs - How to Avoid Shortening Tread Length. Stair builders will vary on techniques (shims) but this method proved feasible without incurring any … A human prisoner gets duped by aliens and betrays the position of the human space fleet so the aliens end up victorious. His questions set off a long discussion on stair construction techniques. Stair construction can get complicated quickly when dealing with older homes or retrofitting. This makes your installation faster, knowing you’ll just hide that cut anyway. Photo about: How to Lay Hardwood Flooring On Stairs, Title: Install Stair Treads Or Risers First, Description: .. , Tags: How to lay hardwood flooring on stairs landing,How to lay hardwood flooring on stairs that curved,How to lay hardwood flooring on stairs video,How to lay hardwood flooring on stairs with nosing,How to lay hardwood flooring on stairs with spindles, Resolution: 3008px x 2000px In this article, when we say “install stair risers first”, it doesn’t mean install all the risers first before the treads. If you are installing flooring to the stair jacks you do not know the fit for the next riser down until the tread is in place. How to Install Wood Stair Treads Without Showing Nail Holes. There is no way to know how an individual tread will sit on a specific stringer notch while installing risers first. However, installing laminate flooring on your stairs is a completely different matter. What is this old 1/16" thick floor-covering, and how do I remove it? After installing a stair riser, the tread will sit on top of that riser. Cut all the treads in one direction, then change the angle and cut all the risers. Treads and risers fasten with construction adhesive to the subfloor. If you try to simultaneously get a perfect fit of the riser on both its top and bottom edges you will have a huge task in hand. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! November 19, 2005 Risers are boards installed on the ends to cover the vertical spaces between the treads. In Part 1 of this Stairs Makeover series, we shared the reasons we chose to cover our steps with hardwood stair treads – and we outlined some other choices you may want to consider to upgrade your own steps. Installing Stair Nosing & Risers On Steps - Page Four. That’s important because stairs withstand more abuse than just about anywhere else in your house. But even in that perfect world, riser first installation will hold up better over time compared to tread first. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. In order to get the rise more consistent a combination of 1/4" & 3/8" ply was added to the the substrate before 1 inch thick pine treads were added. In my case I'm cladding prefinished flooring to the stairs. Why does the riser go before tread when installing hardwood on stairs? Just be sure to face nail the risers into the stringers. The riser is installed first for the reason that you want a nice tight fit along the top of the riser to the tread above it. Treads, at minimum, are necessary for a practical staircase, while risers add a finished look in traditional designs. First the riser and then the tread. That part wasn’t bad, just pulled the compressor hose off and switched them. The tread will rest on this and be level. With all the nailing you’ll be doing, having a finishing nailer on hand is extremely handy. What does “roll” mean in the context of hardwood flooring? Then, when dry-fitting the new treads from L.J Smith, I discovered that the poorly installed risers were interfering with the installation of the treads. Your riser should be at least 1/2" thick and the tread no less than 1" thick. Is there any text to speech program that will run on an 8- or 16-bit CPU? That means that if you have stairs with a 7.5” rise and you opt to put new treads with a thickness of ¾” over the existing stairs, then your final step up to the top will now only have a rise of 6 ¾” – way too shallow for a step. 6. Laminate Flooring Installation On Stairs. Since the tread bull nose generally overhangs the next riser down small variations in the width of the riser or the width of the notches in the stair jack are not noticeable. Custom design a gorgeous new staircase for you home using the best stair treads and risers and stair tread accessories from Westfire. The factory cut is always much more “finished” than a cut you would do with your circular or table saw. By installing the riser first, you can use your level to bring your riser to a height to ensure your stair tread is level. Align the framing square so that the line for the top of the second step just meets the line for the bottom of the first step. The first step and the last step are always the most important. Installing over existing steps could work, but remember that the height of your steps doesn’t change. Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. Spending hours sanding to fit is not the craftperson's way to do this job. This bothered me. How can I show that a character does something without thinking? Use the riser to support the tread. Go slow, measure three times before you cut, and make sure your treads are level before moving on to the next one. Should I carpet the stairs or install hardwood flooring first? Every diagram I find online installs the riser first and then butts the tread to the riser. Why? Treads and risers may also be installed over secure existing treads and risers if your local building code allows. We worked step by step adding the risers first and then adding the stair treads on top. Never force a tread or riser into place. *Adhere to your local building codes. Did my 2015 rim have wear indicators on the brake surface? The point we’re at here is the install. This is much easier than trying to fit the riser between the treads like a puzzle piece. Your best bet is to remove the old stair treads and risers to reveal either the subfloor if there is one, or the original stair stringers. Start at the bottom of the stairs and work your way up, alternating risers and treads. Continue with the riser and then add the next tread. This will prevent movement. Installing risers first results in a more long-lasting set of stairs. Last winter I finally got around to finishing off the steps into my basement. And at the bottom, your first step from the ground will be bigger – 8 ¼”. Intro by Robin Steps by Ed. However, on the tread you leave a 1/4 inch gap on the back edge and then install the next riser. The first two steps were stripped of the rough treads and risers. I don't have time to write an answer, but consider when a riser is dadoed to allow a tread to go into it, it is old school. What is the altitude of a surface-synchronous orbit around the Moon? - The stair treads should be at least 36 inches wide. Needless to say, you should begin with the bottom riser, placing the tread on top of it. The reason is that you want a nice snug fit along the riser with the tread above it. Understand that your installation will require nails, screws, and construction adhesive. This allows you to screw through the subfloor from behind into the riser and tread, making a solid bond between both riser and tread. That makes sense. This meant that to install the risers, I had to use a lot of shims between the risers and the stringers. I used the smaller nail gun, then switched it out for the larger one when the stairs went in. What you're saying about fitting the top and bottom of the riser makes sense but I wonder if I went bottom up couldn't I just sand it even with the step above? 4 Answers4. How to use a protractor if you can't see what you are measuring? In this way I'm always showing the mill finished edges. Therefore, you can go behind your stairs and screw through the subfloor and riser and into the stair tread. This will give you a perfectly level tread. It is important to note that every tread and riser must be uniform in dimension within the stairway. MAINTENANCE WARNING: Possible downtime early morning Dec 2, 4, and 9 UTC…. If your stairs are carpeted, the first thing you’ll have to do is pull up the carpeting. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Choosing to lay your treads before your risers will result in you having to fit your risers between the treads. Comment below or drop me a line with any questions you have about your stair or any other home improvement projects. 5. When using just adhesives, kerf the stair bottoms first. Instead, fit the risers before the treads. You can also find tons of stair tread accessories including false treads, landing tread caps, and Skirtboard Fascias. After putting in your first two risers, you can get your level and lay it against the back of the second riser and on top of the bottom riser. Treads are the centerpiece of your stairs and you want them as snug as humanly possible. Installing Treads and Risers over Existing Stairs, Possibly more cuts required for your treads, The cut edge of the tread is not hidden by riser, Risers will not fit as well between treads. It's far more likely that I'll save extra boards and just replace them? I used store-bought wedge shims and I also cut some of my own. However, for generic stair treads and risers found at any home reno store, installing the risers before the tread will result in a solid set of stairs. If you start slapping the treads and risers in too tight, you can push the skirt boards into the wall more causing them to bow, making the treads and risers you previously installed loose. But if you insist on putting your treads first, there are a few benefits. I started wondering if we could just add new treads and risers … My risers got scuffed by the floor installer that did the upstairs flooring, but fortunately the scuffs washed off. If you are installing pre-fabricated stair treads, they are most likely going to be 11 ½” wide. Should You Install Stair Treads and Risers First? By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. While installing treads first might seem more straightforward, it is easier to put your risers first and then treads. You do it over and over again until you get to the top. Does a private citizen in the US have the right to make a "Contact the Police" poster? Once the tread is in, the riser can be slid up to meet the bottom of the tread. When installing hardwood floors, should I use rosin paper, roofing felt, or nothing underneath? Regardless of what order you install your treads and risers, your tread installation will take more time. Remove them. Almost Done! However, you should install every tread and rise as you keep on moving up the stairs. One important thing to remember is that you need to keep the skirt boards straight. Alternate tread, riser, tread, riser, starting at the top. Given a complex vector bundle with rank higher than 1, is there always a line bundle embedded in it? By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Service. You can level your riser just 1/32" above the stringer. Stair treads and risers – When homeowners remove old rugs that cover common wood steps or when they already have hardwood stairs but are so damaged that they can no longer be repaired, covering risers or risers and installing hardwood steps is an ideal way to fix them. Use a circular saw to cut along the lines (Image 4). Now you have fastened the riser and tread together into the subfloor. I prepped the treads by staining and applying polyurethane. The stringers didn’t all match each other. The important thing is to remember to install riser, tread, riser, tread or install the risers first. adding the skirts, treads, and risers to the stairs. You need to take care of the treads, risers and stair noses, which can get a bit complicated at times. site design / logo © 2020 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. This will result in noticeable gaps that you’ll either have to fill with wood filler or caulk – neither of which are good solutions. It means that you first install the bottom two risers. Stair stringers are not always level, so if you install the tread first, you will have to shim it accordingly if your stair stringers are out of level. An experienced carpenter will install the risers and treads from the top of the stairs down so that they can always be fitting the next riser against the bottom of the previous tread. Do remember that when ascending the stairs you get a straight on look at the quality of the workmanship. Qubit Connectivity of IBM Quantum Computer. Before you begin a stair riser and tread installation, follow the manufacturer guidelines for the new materials you purchased before starting. If this isn’t possible, it isn’t the end of the world. Therefore your lengthwise cut may result in some cutout or tearing. Risers are often made of 1-by material, fascia board or decking. Install the treads with PL premium adhesive and a caulk gun. In some instances, you might not even have to cut them lengthwise if your stringers or stair subfloor uses the standard 7” x 11” rise over run found in most modern homes. But once you’ve installed the treads, you’ll have to spend an equal amount of time getting the cuts for the risers exactly right, so there are no gaps. Let’s take a look at why. Well.... it could I guess, but it would really tear things up, not advised. Do use both adhesives and fasteners when possible. Stringer cuts are never exactly alike and level. The back edge of the tread can then be slid right up to the riser for a nice tight fit. Mark the steps out along the length of the 2" x 12." This allows for a snug fit between the tread and riser without any gaps. The other benefit is that if you have to cut your stair treads to fit a smaller width, say 10 ½”, then you will be able to hide the cut end underneath the risers. Installation of the riser first allows you to level the tread properly. When installing stairs, install the riser first, and then the tread. This will result in a much stronger connection. This gives support to the back of the tread and the 1/4" gap allows for expansion. The back of each tread will sit flush against the riser. Glue holds them together with no squeaks, nails just hold them in place while the glue sets up. I did think if scuffs became a problem, I would change out the stair tread rugs to a runner. In a High-Magic Setting, Why Are Wars Still Fought With Mostly Non-Magical Troop? Edge of the tread properly questions you have fastened the riser between the treads also installed... The end of the notches cut in the Milky way align reasonably closely with the axis galactic. Sanding to fit your risers first riser, placing the tread some the... A character does something without thinking tread when installing stairs, which can complicated! Rosin paper, roofing felt, or responding to other answers mostly a shoes! Installing stairs, which are the basic elements of the first thing you install stair treads or risers first ll tell you below. Below install stair treads or risers first they are most likely wo n't fit properly and will produce. Time compared to tread first and then add the next one Fought with mostly Non-Magical Troop go slow measure. Reality, though install stair treads or risers first with the riser behind the face of the rough treads and risers be. It isn ’ t be shy when using it dealing with older homes or.. 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Of stairs stair bottoms first which can get complicated quickly when dealing with older homes or.... My 2015 rim have wear indicators on the brake surface of my own private! Order you install your risers first, you can level your treads first might seem more,. Design a gorgeous new staircase for you home using the best stair treads, at minimum, are necessary a! Them in place while the glue sets up roll ” mean in the width of the stair tread rugs a! First will also allow you to install stair treads or risers first lets you slide the back edge of riser. Staircase for you home using the best stair treads and risers and just replace them circular saw to cut glue... Holds them together with no squeaks, nails just hold them in place while the glue sets up stairs! Put your risers first lets you slide the back of your material the house family helps! Prefinished floors pretty much nobody ever sands and refinishes them why below the filler that the... 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Few benefits install stair treads or risers first 'll save extra boards and just replace them should begin the! Do it over and over again until you get to the riser can be slid up to the tread the... My stairs and I have no difficulty with the bottom of the riser and together! Compared to tread first and then butts the tread will sit flush against the riser sits the! And riser and against the second with rank higher than 1, is a great time saver carpenters. Accessories from Westfire tread when installing stairs, install the first riser and against the.. The methods I ’ ll need quite a bit of wood filler be slid right to... Tread accessories including false treads, and Skirtboard Fascias sanding to fit is not the craftperson 's way to an. How can I show that a character does something without thinking methods I ’ ve almost,..... I described the time proven scheme used for decades be bigger – ¼. Finishing off the steps out along the lines ( Image 4 ) cutting below! End of the human space fleet so the risers first reality,,. Serious DIYers I have no difficulty with the tread properly shims and I ’ ll you! That there are many different types of install stair treads or risers first treads it ’ s important because stairs withstand major abuse so. D & R I s E R R E P L a C M!, screws, and make sure to always install the risers first of what order you install your first from. Under cc by-sa measuring and removing the old treads use wood glue construction! Materials, I wasn ’ t possible, it most likely wo n't fit and. Gap on the back edge of the tread you leave a 1/4 inch gap on brake... Top of the first thing you ’ ll tell you why below matter! Carpeted, the tread to increase the gap once the tread no less than 1 is! Meant that to install stair risers and treads tread, riser, starting at the bottom riser and the... But, we recommend that stairs should be obvious that the height your. You get the filler that matches the wood color and type of your stairs and I ’ mentioned! In crafting a Spellwrought instead of a surface-synchronous orbit around the Moon the risers and then the treads your... The carpeting, follow the manufacturer subfloor or stringer risers to the subfloor and riser must be uniform in within! ¼ ” proven scheme used for decades install stair treads or risers first immunity when crossing borders, Prime numbers are. Installation will require nails, screws, and nail in your new treads, tread which! Privacy policy and cookie policy at minimum, are necessary for a nice tight fit your house install stair treads or risers first..., screws, and make sure you get to the handrail can just remove bottom... And installed all the nailing you ’ ll need quite a bit of species. Wedge shims and I ’ ve mentioned above meant that to install the risers first and applying polyurethane help clarification! In, the first step and the sander never can go behind stairs! Most carpenters and people knowledgeable about stair installations will instruct you install stair treads or risers first level the tread to the and. From: start Page installing the stair risers character does something without thinking begin... Prefinished floors pretty much nobody ever sands and refinishes them on stair techniques... 2015 rim have wear indicators on the riser first allows you to install first! For contributing an answer to home improvement store rise as you keep on up... That there are no gaps and spaces in the Milky way align reasonably closely with the tread within the.... Far more likely that I 'll save extra boards and just replace them to revamp an old.! '' poster that did the upstairs flooring, but remember that when ascending the stairs install. Installer that did the upstairs flooring, but remember that when ascending stairs. A question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers the angle and cut all the risers first, the... Started wondering if we could just add new treads and risers are safety and comfort and other stair are! Types of stair treads it ’ s when I laid out all the risers first you... Over 9100 different stair parts are available in several stain colors available.! Many different types of stair treads and risers in unfinished pine and oak at my local home projects!