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Do you install stair treads or risers first?
When installing stairs, install the riser first, and then the tread. Start at the bottom of the stairs and work your way up, alternating risers and treads. The back of each tread will sit flush against the riser.
How do you install solid wood stair treads and risers?
How do you install oak stair treads over existing stairs?
Where on the stairs do you start when installing risers and treads?
Some contractors prefer installing the riser first, then installing the tread against the riser, fastening the riser to back edge of the tread with screws (Diagram A). Others prefer to place the tread first and place the riser on top of the tread, for additional support (Diagram B).
Do risers go behind or on top of threads?
4 Answers. The riser is installed first for the reason that you want a nice tight fit along the top of the riser to the tread above it. There is always the possibility that there is a small variation in the width of the riser boards or the height of the notches cut in the stair jacks.
Should you nail or screw stair treads?
Don’t fasten treads and or risers with only nails or staples. The adhesive is much more important than the fasteners. There will be times when fastening may be limited, so a good adhesive is critical. Rely on the front edge of the riser for your level surface.
How are stair treads attached?
Stair treads are installed starting at the bottom step, so that will be step one. Set the stair tread in place and tap the front edge with a rubber mallet to form a bond with the glue and the riser. Tap along the top of the tread at the stringers to form a bond with the glue there.
Can you just glue stair treads down?
NO!!! As someone who’s done a lot of hardwood flooring, as well as stairs, adhesives are not enough to hold a stair tread down. Treads should be attached with a combination of adhesive and nails. Nail length being a minimum of twice the thickness of your tread and of 16 gauge or larger.
Can you put stair treads over existing stairs?
Retro-fitting stair treads is the simplest solution for a DIY’er intent on installing hardwood treads over an existing flight of stairs. High-quality prefinished stair treads are made of solid edge-glued wood—not a veneered or engineered material—and can be used to “cap” or reface an existing tread.
Can you put new stair treads over old treads?
With the overhang removed, your new risers can go right to the top of the old stair. Use a generous amount of construction adhesive under each tread and riser. Affix a riser, then cap it by also gluing and screwing the tread down.
How far should a tread overhang the riser?
Stairs must have an overhang between 3/4″ to 1-1/4” to increase the depth of the step, making it better for descent while maintaining a clear 10-inch going for the ascent. Treads that are 11-inches deep or greater do not require an overhang.
How much overhang should there be on a stair tread?
The nosing on treads, believe it or not, has a code minimum and maximum of how far the nosing projects over the next stair. Nosings are required to overhang a minimum of ¾-in. to a maximum of 1-¼-in. Also the maximum nosing radius cannot exceed 9/16 of an inch.
How do you fill the gap between stair tread and riser?
Riser-to-Tread Gap Place the cove molding face up across two sawhorses. Measure the width of the stair tread where it meets the riser. Apply a bead of construction sealant to the back of the molding. Apply colored silicone caulking to stringer gaps. Cut the tip off of a tube of colored silicone with a utility knife.
Can you use a brad nailer for stair treads?
This small brad nailer (from Harbor Freight) was a well-spent $18 and I can use this for many other projects too. The large bad-boy Hitachi nail gun is the one I got from Lowes earlier in our project and we used it for all the board and batten. We used 2 1/2” nails for the stair treads.
Can I use Liquid Nails for stair treads?
We no longer recommend using Liquid Nails® brand products. Because Liquid Nails’ products are labeled very similarly and packaging can vary between location and retailer, we strongly discourage the use of any other brand of adhesive, including Liquid Nails, for your stair installation.
How do you hide screw holes in stair treads?
Drill a Hole So before you start, wrap some masking tape around the brad-point bit to act as a depth indicator. After making the counterbore, drill a pilot hole for the screw using a separate twist bit the same diameter as the screw’s shank.
How do you remove stair treads without damaging them?
Wedge the pry bar between the top of the stair riser and the bottom edge of the stair tread lip. Strike the end of the pry bar with the hammer to drive the pry bar beneath the stair tread. Do this every 3 inches across the length of the tread until it pops free.
Which adhesive is best for stair treads?
A polyurethane glue, such as Loctite PL Premium, is a highly recommended adhesive. Since the stair treads, or the surface of your stairs, receives a lot of foot traffic, you’ll want to make sure it’s properly installed.
Is construction adhesive enough for stair treads?
The construction adhesive should hold the treads nicely. Make sure you allow enough to hold the treads in place. 2500# psi adhesive should be good enough.
How do you fix loose stair treads?
Drill a hole, slightly smaller than the 8d finish nails, into one side of the tread. Then hammer the finish nail into the hole. Repeat the nailing process at each of your chalk marks to secure the treads to the stringers. For loose spots between the treads and risers, drill and nail from underneath the stairs.
How much does it cost to replace stair treads?
An average cost of prefinished 12 treads and 13 risers can range from $800-$1,000. If you are using the primed white risers the cost of the stair install will typically be closer to $800 whereas if you were to use matching red oak risers the cost will be closer to the $1,000 range.
