Hey, All:
I currently have a straight, carpet-covered stairway made of 2x Doug Fir. I’d like to get rid of the carpet and convert it to a finished oak stair.
Can I simply cover the existing treads and risers with 1x finish wood, or do I have to rip the whole thing out and have a finished stair built to fit?
Thanx for the advice!
Steve
Replies
Codes, and safety, require that all the risers, including the first and last, be of equal heights to within either 1/4" or 3/8" depending on the code. So, any method you use to change the treads to wood has to result in equal height risers. That means you will have to remove the existing treads and carefully determine how the new treads will be installed to maintain equality.
You should not need to remove the stringers and start over.
For risers, it would not be too hard to face them in 1/4" thick plywood with a good veneer on one face.
I have done stairs with painted risers and baseboard with only the treads being oak. The oak was a golden natural color, and the treads were a medium-dark green. Looked really good, and was much cheaper than all oak. The contrast with the paint made the oak visually "pop".
Thanks, Wayne.
I don't think that will be a problem, since I'll be able to do the whole stairway, and put wood on the top landing to equalize the last riser.
Steve
How bout the bottom of the stair? It'd be a bitch to come home late some nite and trip on the first one.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
are they housed?
easiest might be a nice laminate flooring stairs system.
Here's a pic of Wilsonart One Tread ...
I ask about the housed ... because the open steps were a pain.
Jeff
Buck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
and I was really pushing for the "one piece" flooring to be used for the risers ...
instead of the patchwork wilsonart ... but was over ruled. Nice solid product though .. should wear well. Just glued to the stairs.
JeffBuck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Jeff - Is that some sort of pre-made tread by Wilsonart? Never seen anything like that before.
Mike
yes. Comes about 4 ft long ... with the bullnose attached.
each tread there is just one big piece.
Should be on their site somewhere.
The risers are just pieces of their flooring cut down to fit.
The treads were maybe 12" or so wide? Had to be cut for both length and width.
The laminate backing was a bit thicker than their flooring stock. About a full 1/4".
Drop what ever ya want on that stuff ... no dents and dings. Very sturdy stuff.
Just PL'd down over the formerly carpeted stairs.
JeffBuck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry