What would you do with these stairs?
Taylorsdad
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I’m re-finishing the basement in this house after it was mangled by a butcher who went out of business. The client asked if I would tackle these stairs for him and he stated he just wants to put vinyl floor tiles on the treads because of a dog and 3 boys but he’d like nice looking (painted white) bullnosing, risers and side stringers. The existing structure IS sturdy and has studs running up both sides for nailing to. Should I remove thr existing risers or simply put a new piece right over the existing? Is a bullnose “cap” (half circle) manufactured that could/should simply be nailed to the edge of the existing tread? Etc..? Any input is appreciated.
Replies
You could get 1 1/2" half round if thats what he really wants and glue and nail em' on .....or you could use a router with a rounding bit cept you'll end up short of the risers which wouldnt really look all that bad in my opinion.
You also could "laminate" the risers if thats what he wants with a 1/4" veneer of whatever he likes and stain it then cap the top.
I'd take an orbital rotary sander and sand the stairs. Stain em' and use a moisture cure finish on em' if it was mine.
Be a stain....lol
Namaste
andy
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Are all the treads and risers equal? That's very important in and stairway. As Andy said, you could easily make nosing by rounding over some stock with a router, cut it ot length and glue and screw it on. Staining the treads sounds great, or get those ribbed rubber tread covers. Vinyl tiles on the treads sounds slippery to me. Painting the risers might provide a nice contrast. Don't forget a handrail!
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
Thanks. Keep the ideas coming. I'm measuring in the morning for symmetry in the rise/run of each step. I agree on the slippery surface and intend on discussing this with the client at the first oppty.
They're fine as is for a basement shop.
But since you asked for my opinion...
Top make these close to legal and safe, I would remove the treads and replace them with SYP formed treads. I think they cost abvout 11 or 12 bucks each and replacing will be cheaper in labor than trying to make these look and work good. You can be sure that the new ones are adhered good that way and replace the risers with prepainted material at the same time. It will be easier by far to cut in the side skirts too since a perfect fit won't be necessary. You will cover the joint with the new materials after placing the skirts in.
I agree that vinyl on treads will hurt somebody. I wouldn't do it.
.
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Edited 6/8/2003 6:04:04 PM ET by piffin
Forget the vinyl; dangerous as everyone agrees. The only place I've ever seen vinyl on stair treads, it's capped by an aluminum tread extrusion where your guy wants to put bullnose.
Paint the whole thing with a good grade of epoxy floor paint, the kind meant for concrete floors or outside decks. Then buy a nice-looking runner carpet a few inches narrower than the tread. You'll also need carpet hold-in rods to keep the carpet in the joint between the treads and the risers, unless you glue it down (NOT recommended).
Voilà!
Dinosaur
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