Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Strip flooring over stairs
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AlexH
02-09-03, 05:05 PM
Hi,
I would like to remove the carpeting from my stairs and install strip flooring over the existing stairs. I have put in strip flooring before but never on stairs. I have a few questions.
1. I haven't removed the carpeting yet but I'm assuming the treads are plywood since the house isn't that old. How do I cut off the existing tread nosing overhang?
2. I assume it's not practical to use a flooring nailer. Are the strips normally fastened with a finish nailer? Is construction adhesive also used?
3. How about the nosing strip - should this be screwed and plugged? I may use unfinished strip but I know when prefinished is used they don't screw it so how do they get a good attachment on the nosing strip?
4. These stairs are located between walls (drywall). I'd like to put in a wall skirt on both sides. The critical part of the wall skirt would be getting a tight fit between the riser and the skirt. Seems to me this could be something of a challenge. I have run across the wheaton skirt gauge which is used for measuring the distance between risers. Is this useful?
5. As far as getting a tight fit on the strips to wall skirt, should I use a tread gauge and dry fit all of the pieces for a given tread on the bench first or just cut in place as usual?
6. Should I work from the front of the tread back, ie. place the nosing first and then the strips, removing the bottom part of the groove on the last piece? How to attach the last piece without face nailing? Any tips on how to get a tight fit to the riser when cutting the last strip?
Thanks
I would like to remove the carpeting from my stairs and install strip flooring over the existing stairs. I have put in strip flooring before but never on stairs. I have a few questions.
1. I haven't removed the carpeting yet but I'm assuming the treads are plywood since the house isn't that old. How do I cut off the existing tread nosing overhang?
2. I assume it's not practical to use a flooring nailer. Are the strips normally fastened with a finish nailer? Is construction adhesive also used?
3. How about the nosing strip - should this be screwed and plugged? I may use unfinished strip but I know when prefinished is used they don't screw it so how do they get a good attachment on the nosing strip?
4. These stairs are located between walls (drywall). I'd like to put in a wall skirt on both sides. The critical part of the wall skirt would be getting a tight fit between the riser and the skirt. Seems to me this could be something of a challenge. I have run across the wheaton skirt gauge which is used for measuring the distance between risers. Is this useful?
5. As far as getting a tight fit on the strips to wall skirt, should I use a tread gauge and dry fit all of the pieces for a given tread on the bench first or just cut in place as usual?
6. Should I work from the front of the tread back, ie. place the nosing first and then the strips, removing the bottom part of the groove on the last piece? How to attach the last piece without face nailing? Any tips on how to get a tight fit to the riser when cutting the last strip?
Thanks
floorman
02-09-03, 08:35 PM
1.you could use a sawsall or circular saw ans then sawsall to get the ends 2.yes to both in #2 3.finish nailed and glued from the bottom.You could screw and plug also but that may be overkill cause you can get support from the peice on the riser below. 4.not familiar with the gauge.However as long as you can get the rise and tread of one they should all be the same exept for the top/and,or bottom either way yes a challenge. 5. actually 4 and 5 are q's for a stair man as that is a different game alltogether so i ca'nt give you a good answer for them. 6.allways work from front to back,and you can use the peice on the riser to hold the last one on the tread with a little glue of course.If you lay the peice you are going to use for the last on top of the one in front of itexactly how it lays then ypu can scribe that peice to fit perfectly
RealWoodFloors
02-09-03, 11:10 PM
Alex,
What are you going to use for a riser. Painted or oak. When I use plank for treads I start with the board against the riser first and blind nail above the tongue with a trim nail gun. Make up your nosing out of flooring 2.25", 3.25" or manufactured nosing. Put your overhang of the nosing, then standard flooring and rip the piece that goes against the riser. Start with the same size ripped piece on all the stairs. Const. adhesive and nails should work fine. A 2.25" or 3" sheetrock screw with a finish head can be used on any boards that need extra pulling power.
AL
What are you going to use for a riser. Painted or oak. When I use plank for treads I start with the board against the riser first and blind nail above the tongue with a trim nail gun. Make up your nosing out of flooring 2.25", 3.25" or manufactured nosing. Put your overhang of the nosing, then standard flooring and rip the piece that goes against the riser. Start with the same size ripped piece on all the stairs. Const. adhesive and nails should work fine. A 2.25" or 3" sheetrock screw with a finish head can be used on any boards that need extra pulling power.
AL