My first post. I have a closed stringer staircase. I plan to install pre-finished oak on the treads to match new flooring. I’d like to do the stringers and risers in-off white to match the rest of the trim in the house. Is MDF a suitable material? Is the trim paint then a good finish or should I consider spraying a catalyzed lacquer to better stand up to the inevitable scuffing?
Thanks to all.
Greg
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MDF could be ok on the risers, depending on the location. If there's any chance of the treads getting wet, don't use it. I like to use birch plywood for risers because it's stable and inexpensive. Regular trim paint should be fine, especially if it's an enamel. It will still get scuffed, so plan on cleaning or re-painting periodically.
Hi Mike.Thanks for the advice. The staircase just goes main to second floor, so chances of moisture should be minimal. My thought with the MDF is where the stringer gets capped on the open wall where the railing will go I can sand to a finish displaying no edge. I think the traditional treatment is to 45 the 1X to show no edge grain. This would be a bit of a compromise.
Oh, you're actually talking about an open stringer then, not a closed stringer. You can do what you suggest, but I've done it both ways and find it much easier to do the miter. Even if the miter isn't perfect, it's easier to touch it up with filler than it is to get a butt joint to look good. But either way works.