A well-constructed staircase is often the largest piece of woodwork in a home and installing the stair treads is just part of the job. The installer performs a number of operations on the treads to achieve a good fit and uses a wide variety of tools to accomplish the installation.
Accurate cut lines on treads are drawn using two different squares. A framing square helps draw precise cut lines on the treads and a combination square provides the correct angle to mark the miter cut on the stair nose. A standard No. On fully enclosed stairs, a tread measuring tool makes marking the tread ends for cutting simple. A tape measure is always useful to make and check measurements. Precise projects require a level that closely matches the length of the surface being measured.
Front-to-back stair tread measurements use a torpedo level with a vial visible from the top and from the front and back. This makes viewing the bubble from directly above easy and eliminates error. A 4-foot level works best on stairs wider than 4 feet for side-to-side measurements. On stairs narrower than 4 feet, use a 2-foot level instead.
A handheld cutting tool or circular saw cuts treads to length. After the tread is cut to length, a second cut from back to front is made that stops at the beginning of the stair nose to prepare the tread for the miter cut. An oscillating tool, jig saw or hand saw completes the preparatory cut for the miter. The miter cut in the stair nose is usually made with a hand saw. Carpenters use a miter saw to cut the stair-nose molding that joins to the miter-cut tread nosing.
Also, avoid any board that is splitting or warped. Then place the stringer against the line that you drew on the wall earlier. Finally, you must ensure the stringer is set or level before attaching it to the wall. While making sure you hit the stud, nail the stringer to the wall studs. You can use braces to secure the stringer from the top to the floor, or better still, a drill and decking screws can suffice.
You just have to pre-drill the stringer to stop it from splitting. Next, you have to align the second stringer for the width and height. Otherwise, you have to cut more boards to support it.
Once the stringer is in place, you have to start installing the risers, treads and finally, the handrail. Start fixing the risers and treads from the last step. Make sure the riser and tread are properly level and fit before proceeding to the next one. An important tip is to ensure the riser and tread balance at once. Once the risers and tread are in place, you need to install the handrail.
The handrail serves as a protector while complementing the appeal of the stairs to give your home an elegant outlook. The handrail is also to be 34 to 38 inches above the stringer.
Then after measurement, clean up the stairs thoroughly using a vacuum. You can also do the cleaning before measuring the point you need to cut. Then, proceed to use a mitre saw to cut the hardwood to fit the treads and risers. Finally, use a grinder to achieve an exact edge. To stick the risers properly, apply a construction adhesive behind the first riser. Then, ensure the riser maintains a good position before you use a finish nailer to nail it into place.
You can use a rubber mallet to align the stairs in their spot gently. Use shims where you need to and ensure the stair is plum with a box level. Then, sand the surface and clean the stairs with a vacuum or broom.
After cleaning the stairs, you can then proceed to apply a stain and polyurethane finish. If you wish, you can paint the hardwood and go for other hardwood stairs design ideas. Better still, you can leave it the way it is. Generally, when constructing anything like stairs, little mistakes or accidents are a distant possibility. See below for some safety tips you can observe for hardwood stairs installation. A clean work area fosters a clear work mindset.
A clear mind will help you focus and give your best when installing hardwood on stairs. Rid the work area of any unnecessary items.
A clean work environment prevents injuries, tripping and falling, sprains, stains, laceration, and other hostile situations. You can keep the work area clean by taking out the excess or waste after every step. A family member or friend can help you out. You need to protect yourself during hardwood stairs installation. You can also wear protective glasses on your face to shield your eyes from danger. If you have a lumberjack, wear it to give your skin the best protection.
Your body and your health is the best asset you have, so you need to protect it very well by wearing the best PPE, even during hardwood stairs installation. The right set of tools and materials will always make hardwood installation easier. If you notice anything with a dangerous tendency, stop work and attend to the situation immediately. Also, make sure you alert anybody around to make sure the situation is under control.
Ensure the space for construction has proper lighting. With adequate lighting, you can manoeuvre without harming yourself. You can also go ahead to install nice lighting to make your stairs look beautiful. Constructing a stairway and installing hardwood on them is a technical process that requires the right expertise.
An experienced individual will have better ideas and the right skill set to construct and install hardwood on stairs. Contacting a contractor is one of the best ways to install hardwood on your stairs easily. Using DIY methods to install hardwood stairs is undoubtedly cheaper, but it may cost you more in the long run. Stair construction and hardwood installation are sensitive parts of your home, so you need to get the measurement and projections correctly.
A slight mistake in the measurement and calculation process may be costly. See a list of them below:. Most hardwood installation services charge you by the number of steps that need hardwood installation in your home.
Location plays a major role in the cost of hardwood stairs installation. So, you may end up spending more depending on your area of residence. Contractors charge differently depending on their level of expertise and years in service. Businesses are run by different individuals who run their businesses with unique methods. Some contractors may decide to charge you hourly, while some may charge you for the whole project at once.
Whatever the case may be, just have it at the back of your mind that the service fee will affect your total expenses when you want to install hardwood on your stairs. Hardwood stairs installation adds beauty to your home, but it comes at a cost. You can minimize the cost if you do the installation by yourself. But it requires a decent level of proficiency and expertise to get the best result. Here at LV Flooring , we make the cost of installing hardwood stairs more affordable by offering hardwood stairs and pieces at affordable prices.
Our products are first-class and very affordable. Reach out to us today! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Post Comment. Thanks to our flooring experts who know everything there is to know about hardwood floors, our friendly, reliable service, and our attention to detail, your experience with us will be pleasant and hassle-free. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. Materials and Tools for Hardwood Stairs Installation Certain tools are necessary to install hardwood stairs.
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