Table of Contents
Do you install risers or treads 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 secure stair risers?
Install the risers with a level top edge slightly above the top edge of both the blocking and the stringers. Never nail into a block from either a tread or a riser. Adhere the blocking to the risers and the stringers using a construction adhesive. Use a dimensional sized 2-by-2 piece of lumber for blocking material.
Should risers go on top of 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).
How do you glue stair risers?
Squeeze a bead of polyurethane glue along each stringer that the step will rest on. Squeeze a second bead along the back side of the tread, the side that will be butted up against the riser. 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.
Should I use nails or screws for stairs?
The answer is both. You should use nails to attach the deck’s joists and stair stringers to its framing. You should use screws to attach decking and railings to the framing.
How thick should a stair riser be?
According to general specifications, your stair riser thickness should be no less than ½”. In fact, many professionals recommend risers with a thickness of ¾”. It’s also important to note that if you do build a closed riser staircase, your stair treads will need to have a note as well.
How much should a stair 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.
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 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 widen stair treads?
Cut ¼-inch round over hardwood molding, ¾ inch wide to fit the front lip of each step and nail it to the lip of the step with pin nails to cover the screw heads. This process will extend your stair treads 1 inch.
How do you fix stair risers?
Fill any cracks on the front face of the riser with wood glue. Use a damp rag to remove any excess wood glue that seeps out. Use a fine-grit sanding block to sand over the cracks, which will cause them to fill with sanding dust. Fill larger cracks with wood filler.
What glue do I use 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.
Should you stain stair treads before installation?
Staining and varnishing hardwood treads prior to installation is recommended, especially in this case where we have stone or tile risers. Once the treads are stained and dried it’s time to cut and install them.
What screws to use for stairs?
Use screws that are between 2 and 4 inches long. Deck screws are available in this size range, and are used for this purpose on deck stairs. Drilling pilot holes will help prevent splitting the wood of the stringers.
Can I use screws on stairs?
METHOD 2: Screw down the treads. If your stair is squeaking at the front, tighten up the fitting between the tread and the riser with a few screws; #8 screws are a good size for this purpose and easily found at any home improvement center.
Should decking be screwed or nailed?
The Consensus: For a deck build it’s best to use a combination of nails and screws. Screws are superior for laying down the decking. They hold things flush better and have a better fastener/tensile strength, which keeps boards from popping up over time.
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.
How do you fix a gap between riser and tread?
Run a heavy bead of the silicone along the gap to fill it, and then use a wet fingertip to smooth it out if necessary. It’s the fastest way to fill minor gaps, and if you’re not happy with the way it looks, you can always install molding over it.
What kind of wood is used for stair risers?
The top choices of wood for risers would be white oak, poplar. maple or pine. All of these woods have their own properties that make them suitable for making stair risers.
What is code for stair risers?
Stair riser heights shall be 7 inches (178 mm) maximum and 4 inches (102 mm) minimum. Stair tread depths shall be 11 inches (279 mm) minimum. The riser height shall be measured vertically between the leading edges of adjacent treads.
