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I’m in the process of finishing a family room in my basement and have been considering putting in a laminate floor. After reading some of the discussions, I’m reconsidering. Anyway, my basement stairs are like most basement stairs: 2x treads nailed on the stringers with 1x risers. The stairs look and work fine, but once the family room is done, they won’t look right. I’ve seen that several of the laminate flooring manufacturers have a bull nose piece that can be used with their planks for stairs and landings. Has anyone had any experience using these? How easy is it to install? How well does it hold up?
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Jim,
Aside from my basic dislike of laminate flooring, I find the stairs to be the worst. The bullnose that we installed looked like an afterthought, felt fairly flimsy, and presented a quarter inch trip hazzard. I swore off the stuff after that. I'm sure there has to be different offerings from other companies, but I'm also too much of a sucker for real wood to use this stuff again.
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Jim, why not make your own bullnose out of whatever hardwood comes closest to your chosen laminate? For what Perge gets for their little trim pieces, I'm sure you can come up with something for less that will look better.
Steps covered with Pergo must be real close to steps coated with ice, maybe your bull nose should stick up a bit to provide a grip, keep the family from entering the family room too quickly. Joe H
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You'll shoot your eye out!
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Be sure that all in your house wear court shoes or cleats when walking on those slick stairs so that you don't have to worry about disability insurance or a crippled child. It's a shame it won't "look right," but it'll be a damn sight safer and more responsible of you to ensure the treads aren't a hazard.
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Thanks for the feedback! Based on your comments, I've decided against using the laminate on the stairs (ice belongs on the skating rink, not the stairs). I had several other ideas, including using oak treads and risers, but hey, they're just basement stairs! Looks like carpet is going to get the nod after I replace the 3-4 warped/cupped treads.
This brings up a second question. Right now, the stairs are nailed and stapled to the stringers. I'm thinking of screwing and gluing the treads and risers to the stringers with the hope of limiting squeaks and making the stairs feel more solid. Good plan or just more work for me?
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I'm in the process of finishing a family room in my basement and have been considering putting in a laminate floor. After reading some of the discussions, I'm reconsidering. Anyway, my basement stairs are like most basement stairs: 2x treads nailed on the stringers with 1x risers. The stairs look and work fine, but once the family room is done, they won't look right. I've seen that several of the laminate flooring manufacturers have a bull nose piece that can be used with their planks for stairs and landings. Has anyone had any experience using these? How easy is it to install? How well does it hold up?
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Jim,
Sub-floor adj. has also done a fine job of eliminating squeeks. I apply the adj. to the stringers and finish nail with 2-1/2" pnue. nails. End of story. If you have access to the underside of the stairs I'd lay a bead of adj. between the top and bottom of the riser and the treads. After a day of settind up no more popping when the two touch.
David Taylor