Hi,
I’ve got to finish some stairs in my house and am wondering if 3/4″ laminated treads would do just fine or if I’ll kick myself later for not using 5/4″
Details:
there are three 2×12 carriages firmly in place; tread length is 36 inches (width is 12″)
material will be red oak
stairs are “switchback” type with ten treads to landing then 180 degrees, two treads to second floor; below landing is closed on both sides, so treads will butt into skirt (I have 1 inch gap between outside carriages and drywall).
planning to screw and glue treads thoroughly on each carriage; each tread will have a tongue which fits into a dado at the bottom of the riser, and a dado on the bottom of the tread nosing for the riser below to fit into
flooring on first floor, landing and second floor is 3/4″ t&g;
my supplier says the 5/4 treads are actually 1 1/16″. His opinion is that 3/4 would be fine and 5/4 is just a “beefier look” but of course he’s not a builder.
Opinions? Basically if there’s no noticeable “bounce,” deflection, or danger of splitting a nosing (like when a teenager bounds down the stairs) I’d prefer to use 3/4″ but don’t want to be stupid about it.
Edited 4/2/2003 5:19:39 PM ET by MONSIEUR_ED
Replies
Use 3/4 and it will look like a handyman did the stairs, use 5/4 and get the look of a pro. I have never seen a 3/4 tread that I thought was impresive.
I've always used 5/4" stair treads. IMHO 3/4" isn't enough.
Greg
Ah, I've had a nagging voice telling me that the past few days and you guys have confirmed it.
Guess I'll need to get some 5/4 stock to make the nosings with on the landing and second floor. Part of my rationale was to be able to simply use a piece of flooring and do the bullnose with my router.
Just out of curiosity, is it strictly an aesthetic issue for you or are we talking structural concerns here?
aesthetics, strictly aesthetics...
i might use 3/4 for a basement stair.. but certainly not for a main staricaseMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Sorry for the zombie post, but I feel it is important to warn readers that a tripping hazard (against building code?) at the first and last step will exist if you deviate from the planned tread thickness cut into the carriage without making adjustments. Unless I am mistaken this situation is created because the landing finished floor heights do not change and the adjacent treads heights do.