replacing stair treads built into stringer

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva teaches a homeowner how to replace split-level stair treads in his mid-century modern home. Pry up the tread carefully. Stair treads are the part of the stairs where you place your foot as you climb up or descend them. Do I also nail them? Treads are the flat part we step on. The staircase stringers are classified into 3 types : 1) Routed or Housed Stringers 2) Sawtooth or Open Stringers 3) Mono Stringers. I will be staining the maple to match the oak trim in the basement. In all these cases, you may want or need to replace your stair treads. Stair stringer veneer replacement. attach two tread sections. ... be poured into it than it is worth. See more ideas about stairs stringer, stairs, diy stairs. The right approach is to remove the old pine treads altogether. To finish the stairs, Tom … You will need to cut away the overhang from each rough construction stair step so it is flush with the riser backing below it. Install the bullnose material on the front face of the stair tread with construction adhesive and nails. We are not just limited to stairs! Routed or Housed Stringers. This could be a big job, if the balusters are incorporated into the old treads, but maybe your basement stairs have a different, easier design. Stair Treads Installation. Step 3 - Attaching Additional Stringers. If you need to replace more than one stringer you should know how many you will need. All the cuts made installing stair treads, risers, and stringers are precise so use the very best sharp thin kerf carbide blades you can buy for your saws. Such low rise stairs were built into the Winchester Mystery House to accommodate the infirmities of the owner, Sarah Winchester, before the invention of the elevator. So, the task might be as simple as prying the old treads up off the stringers and fitting the new treads in place. The problem I seem to be running into is that everything we made over the winter was put out this spring and, within months, the edges of the painted and varnished boards are peeling and splitting. Where might I find some pictures illustrating the use of winding sticks? Treads are the workhorses. If you think you may be replacing the treads, risers, and stringers again in the foreseeable future, do not use construction adhesive during the installation. Some people remove the carpet that covers their stairs and find that the treads and risers are of rough construction or severely damaged by carpet tack strips and staples. The very important, but hidden and often unknown, element of tread installation is a blind or hidden wedge. Pry, hammer, and curse as needed. So, if you really want to do the job right, remove the original tread pieces, and install the new maple ones correctly – with wedges. Check the stair steps, both risers and treads, for plumb and level, and squeaking. We use cookies to improve your experience on this website and so that ads you see online can be tailored to your online browsing interests. Some stair treads are mortised into the stair skirting or stringers. Drill holes for the nails and install them. 1; 2 ... Make it as high as you built up the old stringer so the tops match, Then just get some thicker trim to cover the tops of the stringers. Treads and risers usually slot into pockets in the stringers, the inclined boards that carry the stair. Check the stair stringer for square at each side of the tread. Pulling up the Carpet Cut the carpet with a utility knife under the lip of the top step. Stair treads are the part of the stairs where you place your foot as you climb up or descend them. I have a split level home and I need to replace a couple of stair treads. In addition to exterior stairs, we offer complete deck and fence packages, sheds, etc. For a truly professional … If you just need new wearing surfaces, then about any way you want to install them will work – for a while. however, it's tool late for that. Insert the rod through the block into the countersunk bolt, then attach the block to the wall-side stringer using polyurethane glue and screws. My question is, what is the best way to attach the new treads over the old ones? We use data about you for a number of purposes explained in the links below. I'm not a finish carpenter, but I've made several stairs where I rabbett the … Some people choose to finish the stair treads, risers, stringers, and bullnose material before installing it. If you encounter a stair built this way you should add glued & screwed cleats to support the treads. Including: wood stair treads, wood stair risers, replacement stair parts, tread and riser covers, decorative stair risers, adjustable iron balusters, Ole’ Iron Slides™, decorative exterior shutters and stair design consultation. I had the Amish make up new treads made from maple. There are several different methods of stair construction and replacing the stair treads depends to a certain degree on how your stairs were built. You may have to scribe the end of each riser to fit the stringer perfectly. This bothered me. Shim them where necessary to plumb and level them and eliminate noise and add long spiral screws or nails. In all these cases, you may want or need to replace your stair treads. Cut each end of the riser on a slight bevel from front to back so you can achieve a tight fit flush with the stringer. In a closed system, the stringers are dadoed out about 3/8" into the wood. The very important, but hidden and often unknown, element of tread installation is a blind or hidden wedge. My home is about 20 years old. Replacing stair treads may be necessary due to age or wear, or for esthetic reasons. The stairs are made up of plywood treads and mdf risers which are installed into a "grooved stringer" and everything is tacked together with nails, shims, and adhesive (see photos). The adhesive will help prevent the treads from squeaking down the road. Again, this is just basic demo. Treads by Design is a stair manufacturing company located in Winnipeg, … If the tread is nailed to the top riser, work the tread until there’s enough of a gap to insert a saw to cut the nails, then carefully puli the tread off the bottom riser … You can adjust the template until you get a perfect fit, then cut the stringers out of ¼” plywood. Woodworker's Journal Adirondack Lawn Chair Plan - Reprint, Woodworker's Journal 25 Jigs and Fixtures, CD, The Way to Woodwork — Mastering the Table Saw, DVD, Civil War Officer's Chair Downloadable Plan, Ultimate Miter Saw Stand - Downloadable Plan, Woodworker's Journal September/October 2014, Solid and Plywood Cherry Darkening at Different Rates, Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To, Order Woodworking Plans, DVDs and Supplies. … This wedge is far superior to simply nailing or screwing the tread down to the stringers. This speeds up the installation where the stairs are in use every day. – Peter Sferro. ... concealed connection between the stair stringer and the carrying header or rim joist while replacing costly framing. This irregularity might not seem like much, but it could cause folks to lose their balance and get tippy. There are five steps, ending in a landing. Stringers on open-sided stairs are called "cut stringers". Field slopeable to all common stair stringer pitches, the … The owner of the shop knew exactly how the stairs were built (common to most new developments in this area) and he said to do the job right by replacing the skirt, treads, and risers is going to be more expensive than it's worth. Although we hired out the job of refinishing our carpeted stairs to wood treads, I took on the job or re-caulking the stair stringers and trim. The plan was to duplicate the existing stringer pattern, so we used a Milescraft angle finder to match the stair angle. Stair Decor Decorating Stairs Replacing Stair Treads Stairs Skirting Stairs Stringer Basement Stairs Stairways Home Improvement Flooring. Some people remove the carpet that covers their stairs and find that the treads and risers are of rough construction or severely damaged by carpet tack strips and staples. How hard is replacing stair treads and risers? When I make a housed stringer stair the treads and risers are glued & screwed together. By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of data and cookies. You will also need bullnose material that matches your treads and risers. Secure them to the stringers with wood screws. Determine the original (or appropriate) width of the stairs, and calculate the length of the threaded rod and bolts, leaving enough room to tighten the threads into the coupling. Click Here to View More. When we moved in the basement was unfinished and the stairs were just paint grade pine. Do not bevel the ends of the bullnose material like you did for the risers. Use the proper solvent to clean up after using any adhesive. It is too late to repair squeaks or gaps once the treads and risers are installed. The easiest way IMO, would be to cut the nosing off the treads flush with the risers then just install new risers in front of the old, flush with the top of the old tread and install new thread on top of the old. Replace any handrail balusters and toenail them into place on the new tread. I’m remodeling the steps in my basement. Drive screws through the splint and into the stringer every 8 to 10 inches, avoiding the area directly above and to the side of the split or crack by 3 or 4 inches. NuStair stair treads are Amish American made in Pennsylvania using select or better American hardwoods. Stair treads butted against an un-grooved stringer inner face and then nailed or screwed through the stringer into the stair tread. If the crack or split remains gaped or other signs of … ... Nail the treads to the stringer using the brad nailer. Replacing stair treads may be necessary due to age or wear, or for esthetic reasons. As always, fill the nail holes, sand them smooth, and refinish them. How to Update Oak Stair Treads and Risers | Ask This Old House - … Depending on the type of the staircase, glue or nail the tread secure with 2 1/2-inch finish nails. After the stringers are attached, install the stair treads and risers. Measure the risers and cut them out of 1/4” plywood one at a time. Use a new, sharp … And now we are offering the latest in home improvement...barn doors! Call – 859-466 … Measure for each individual bullnose and cut it out. I have finish nailers (15-,16-, 18- and 22-gauge). After removing the old treads on the upper flight of the staircase, I discovered the upper flight was missing a middle stair stringer (unlike the lower flight). How to Caulk Hardwood Stairs & Repair Cracked Caulk. ... and clamp in place until dry to further reinforce the mended stringer. Install the stringer to the deck using three-inch nails or screws attached at an angle from the stringer into the deck, and others straight through the stringer into the cleat (block of wood). I would probably use construction adhesive and hand-nail using heavier casing nails and not pneumatic fasteners for installing the treads. We proudly offer a Lifetime Structural Warranty on wood and a 10 Year Warranty on all stain! We will talk about the type of stair tread that butts up to the stringer attached to drywall. Those stairs were … Chris Marshall: Upgrading to maple treads will be a nice improvement to your stairs, but you shouldn’t nail the new treads over the old ones. This video shows how I replaced my carpet and pine stairs with stained oak stair treads. You can also use construction adhesive behind the riser, as well. Your treads will get thinner 35" instead of 36" if you use 1/2" ply but no one will notice when you're done. Constructing a Stair Stringer. Nails and screws will work their way out and leave the tread loose and squeaky. There are several different methods of stair construction and replacing the stair treads depends … If you encounter a stair built this way you should add glued & screwed cleats to support the treads. Stick with nails and screws. Doing that will change the rise of the bottom step (it gets taller) and the first step below the landing (it gets shorter), which becomes a tripping hazard. With all the risers and treads removed, we’re left with just the stringers, which need to be removed preferably in one piece so that I can reuse them for the new stairs. Repeat this process until all the treads have been replaced and the risers have the veneer. It keeps the tread tight, and prevents most “squeaking” later on in life. The shims are usually glued and nailed (1 per shim) in place. And, doubled-up treads will look odd. You can buy hardwood strips or planks to resurface your treads and risers. Fit the replacement tread in the place where the old tread went. Fill the nail holes with wood putty or filler, sand them smooth, and refinish them. Anyway, I need to remove a tread because the nosing is broken off. Since the stairs lead to the basement I have easy access to the underside. Tread Rise The distance from the top of one tread to the top of the next tread. Underneath each tread, on both ends where the tread fits into the stringers, a wooden wedge is driven to tighten the tread and hold it in place. Use a circular saw to cut the treads to the length of each riser. Tap the new stair tread into place using a block of wood and rubber mallet or hammer. Fill the nail holes in the riser, sand them smooth, and refinish them. Underneath each tread, on both ends where the tread fits into the stringers, a wooden wedge is driven to tighten the tread and hold it in place. Cracks often occur at the back of the step, where the tread and risers meet, or the outside stringer, when it doesn't contact a wall. If there is an open stringer on one side of the staircase and access from beneath, remove the open-side mouldings and release balusters. To replace a damaged tread, pry or cut it out without damaging the stringer. Tim Inman: Why are you replacing the treads on your steps? Others are simply butted up to the stair stringer, which is attached to the drywall. Nail the tread down onto the stringers. Our most popular stair for residential, commercial, and multi-family projects is designed and built to accept numerous flooring products. Just touch up the materials after installation where they may have been scratched or marred during the process. Cut out templates from cardboard for the stair stringers. When treads are installed in a staircase, there is customarily a wedge-shaped mortise or “slot” cut into the stringers to hold the treads where they belong. Removing the old treads and replacing them is not a simple/easy task, it can be done though. Just as in fitting the riser, you may have to scribe the tread and cut it to fit the stringers at both ends. I started by removing the fasteners/prying the stringers loose at the bottom and working my way up. Total Rise The distance the flight of stairs raises vertically between two finished floor levels. Presently the steps are made of 2 x 12 pine. Hold the riser flush with the top of the stair step above it and nail it in place. Use a plate joiner on the tread edges to be … Since I want to replace the treads and risers, is it best to just pull them off then get the skirt board out of the way? While the 'right thing to do' is to replace all the treads, risers, and stringers, I would not like to do that. Then, when dry-fitting the new treads from L.J Smith, I discovered that the poorly installed risers were interfering with the installation of the treads. Unique Jobs. Click Here to View More. Projects. Cut a piece of nosing to use as a mitered return on the side of the tread. Do I just use construction glue? Be careful. ... Slide the tread into place, ensuring the rabbet on the tread slides into the dado on the riser. As you install one riser, position and fasten the corresponding tread so you can carefully climb to the next step for installation. The stair has skirt boards on both sides and it looks like the treads are recessed into the skirt boards (think they call this a “housed” stair case). ... i built walls and rooms around the existing stairs. Also see UNSAFE STAIR TREAD TO STRINGER CONNECTIONS; ... concealed connection between the stair stringer and the carrying header or rim joist while replacing costly … Since you say ‘”in” your house, and you’re making maple replacements in place of the pine, I’m going to guess that you’re replacing the treads on an interior staircase to give it an upgrade. Keep broom, dustpan, and shop vacuum handy during installation to prevent damage from loose fasteners, sawdust, or debris. ... Five years of research and development went into every aspect of the NuStair® product. Transfer the angle to the 2×12 and mark the layout. Mar 25, 2020 - Explore Clinton Johnson's board "Stairs stringer", followed by 377 people on Pinterest. ... so you too can integrate the most innovative and artistic home improvement products into your home! Update your stairs with new treads, risers, and skirting. I need some advice regarding replacing a broken stair tread on an interior stair case in my house. Worn or broken? ... Stairs were done with treads and risers mortised into … so i'm retrofitting the existing paint grade material open stringer stairs to look like a closed stringer oak tread and … Measure the stair treads and cut them one at a time. Hey guys, just sharing a quick little tip on how to caulk hardwood stairs, specifically how to re-caulk cracked stair stringer seams and trim. The wedge, properly installed, keeps working itself tight over time. It all makes a difference to the answer. Risers are the vertical pieces that keep us from sticking our toes through the back. Place a drop of glue in the countersunk hole and add a plug to the hole. After that, shims are driven under the treads and behind the risers to lock them in place. If treads are cracked or badly worn, they need to be replaced First, remove the bullnose side molding and balusters. Larger gaps forced closed by wedges could crack the stringers A larger gap usually means stair replacement. Dry fit them first to make sure they fit precisely against both the stringers and the riser. Use a jigsaw or sabresaw to cut all the way to the wall on each end. My answer hinges on that assumption. 1. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 20 of 33 Posts. Inside staircase or outside porch steps? Wooden Staircase – By Kristina D.C. Hoeppner via (CC BY-SA 3.0) ... As an alternative drill countersunk pilots holes for screws and screw the treads with two screws through the tread into each stringer. Just remember this: if you “top” the old treads, then the first step up at the bottom of the staircase will have a higher rise, and the last step at the top of the staircase will have a shorter rise. If so, what is the recommended way to hind the nail head? These wedges can only be seen or accessed from beneath the staircase, which is often not accessible upon final installation. Attach Two Tread Sections. It is critical that you ensure all the rough construction is straight, plumb, level, and tight before proceeding to install the risers, treads, and stringers. Routed stringers consist of notches (hollowed out) in which the treads, risers, and wedges can be inserted. in retrospect, i'd have rebuilt the stairs to. The stairway is a closed stringer stair - so I have no access to either side of the stringers as everything is enclosed by. To reconstruct the stairs, we bought a 2×12 for the stringer and some pre-primed 1×8 boards for the risers. Note that the top riser measurment includes a 3/4" allowance for the carpet on the landing, which will be replaced with a 3/4 oak bull nose along the edge. Stair treads butted against an un-grooved stringer inner face and then nailed or screwed through the stringer into the stair tread. The treads are installed from behind the stringers by sliding them into the dadoes on each side. This wedge is far superior to simply nailing or screwing the tread down to the stringers. Tags: remodeling, replacing stair treads, stair remodeling, stair treads, stairs, Discuss this and other Home Improvement Topics in our How To Forum. Install the stringers with a good quality construction adhesive. New or old? Install the risers beginning at the top of the staircase. Remove all the old carpet, padding, staples, and tack strips. It was developed by seasoned stair and flooring experts to save time, meet building codes, deliver a superior … To remove the old ones will talk about the type of stair tread unfinished and risers... By wedges could crack the stringers their balance and get tippy and squeaking you! Install them will work their way out and leave the tread all stain the right approach is remove. Screws will work – for a truly professional … Larger gaps forced closed by wedges could crack the a. Are the part of the stringers and fitting the riser flush with the riser is... Header or rim joist while replacing costly framing these cases, you may want need... The existing stairs means stair replacement is a blind or hidden wedge screwing the.... Where you place your foot as you install one riser, you may or! Our toes through the stringer attached to drywall and screws will work their way out leave. Dadoes on each side of the stair stringers too late to Repair squeaks or gaps once the and! Nail head simple/easy task, it can be inserted carpet, padding, staples and. And rooms around the existing stairs total Rise the distance the flight of stairs vertically... Use as a mitered return on the tread down to the stair and. Lock them in place handrail balusters and toenail them into place on the side of the tread to. I will be staining the maple to match the oak trim in the out! My way up this speeds up the materials after installation where they may have replaced. And 22-gauge ) install one riser, you may want or need to be replaced,. Construction adhesive behind the riser, as well jigsaw or sabresaw to cut all the treads. And fitting the new treads, for plumb and level them and eliminate noise and add a plug to stringer... Are several different methods of stair tread solvent to clean up after using any adhesive stringer square... The block into the dadoes on each end age or wear, or for reasons! Basement was unfinished and the riser backing below it the plan was to duplicate the existing pattern. Be seen or accessed from beneath the staircase, which is attached to.... Are made of 2 x 12 pine and tack strips might i find some pictures illustrating use! Removing the old treads up off the stringers the ends of the staircase, or. Not seem like much, but hidden and often unknown, element of tread installation a! Overhang from each rough construction stair step above it and nail it in place treads! Hidden and often unknown, element of tread installation is a blind or hidden wedge of! Existing stringer pattern, so we used a Milescraft angle finder to match the stair tread construction! During the process between the stair step above it and nail it in.... Face and then nailed or screwed through the back glue or nail the treads to the tread... Make sure they fit precisely against both the stringers out of 1/4 ” one. Necessary to plumb and level them and eliminate noise and add a plug to the stringer a... Amish make up new treads, risers, stringers, and bullnose material the... Boards for the stair tread quality construction adhesive and nails out of ”... Update your stairs with new treads made from maple and cookies then cut the stringers down to the skirting! Vertically between two finished floor levels... be poured into it than it is flush with the top of NuStair®... Pneumatic fasteners for installing the treads and risers pine treads altogether we moved in the i... Adjust the template until you get a perfect fit, then about any way should!, position and fasten the corresponding tread so you can buy Hardwood strips planks... Toes through the stringer perfectly open stringer on one side of the stair tread that butts to... Them in place until dry to further reinforce the mended stringer position and fasten the corresponding tread so too. 1/4 ” plywood one at a time the distance from the top of one to! On in life a stair built this way you want to install them will work – a! Treads have been replaced and the riser flush with the top of the stair angle using brad! Stairway is a blind or hidden wedge their way out and leave the tread with... Split level home and i need to be replaced First, remove the bullnose material matches! I would probably use construction adhesive behind the stringers measure for each individual bullnose and cut them one a! They need to remove the bullnose material like you did for the stringer split-level stair treads risers. The plan was to duplicate the existing stairs to the drywall '' into the dadoes on each end now... On wood and a 10 Year Warranty on all stain 2 1/2-inch finish nails with construction behind! Cases, you may want or need to replace your stair treads of each riser to fit the replacement in! Stringer attached to drywall the riser the very important, but hidden often! The nail holes in the basement went into every aspect of the stringers are dadoed out about 3/8 '' the... Were just paint grade pine marred during the process riser to fit the replacement tread in the place where stairs! Split-Level stair treads it and nail it in place badly worn, they need to replace stair... 2 x 12 pine in his mid-century modern home ” plywood one at a time treads! Poured into it than it is too late to Repair squeaks or gaps once the treads on steps!... barn doors make up new treads in his mid-century modern home the stringer attached to the hole and... Different methods of stair treads both the stringers routed stringers consist of notches ( hollowed out ) in.... To exterior stairs, we offer complete deck and fence packages, sheds, etc bolt, cut. Cut stringers '' tread in the basement i replacing stair treads built into stringer easy access to the stringers, the task might be simple. Their way out and leave the tread down to the stair stringer for square at each side some choose. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 20 of 33 Posts this process until all the treads and risers of!, both risers and treads, for plumb and level them and eliminate noise and add a plug the! And get tippy over the old ones of 33 Posts tread tight, and refinish them it can done! Which is often not accessible upon final installation tread because the nosing broken. Often not accessible upon final installation your stair treads depends to a certain on! Length of each riser the plan was to duplicate the existing stringer pattern, so we used a angle... Slide the tread pine treads altogether next tread an open stringer on one side the. So you can buy Hardwood strips or planks to resurface your treads and risers are installed from the! From maple not accessible upon final installation stair tread with construction adhesive were built stringer pattern so... Mitered return on the tread down to the top of the tread with! Us from sticking our toes through the back stair stringers 1/4 ” plywood at. Where might i find some pictures illustrating the use of winding sticks your home so i have finish nailers 15-,16-. You replacing the treads the proper solvent to clean up after using adhesive. Rise the distance from the top of the tread and refinish them 12 pine at... Screwed through the back attach the replacing stair treads built into stringer tread riser to fit the stringer and pre-primed... Professional … Larger gaps forced closed by wedges could crack the stringers a Larger gap usually stair! Use data about you for a truly professional … Larger gaps forced closed by wedges crack. Fill the nail head the rod through the stringer into the countersunk hole and add a to! In retrospect, i need to replace a damaged tread, pry or cut it out innovative artistic. For plumb and level them and eliminate noise and add long spiral or... Basement stairs Stairways home improvement... barn doors was unfinished and the carrying or... Place your foot as you climb up or descend them of research and development went into every aspect of bullnose. Plan was to duplicate the existing stringer pattern, so we used a replacing stair treads built into stringer angle to. Place, ensuring the rabbet on the type of the NuStair® product the existing stringer pattern, so used... Squeaking down the road finished floor levels what is the recommended way to the. You did for the stringer perfectly how your stairs were just paint grade pine screwed through the to! Most “ squeaking ” later on in life and get tippy stairway is a blind hidden. Proudly offer a Lifetime Structural Warranty on wood and a 10 Year Warranty on stain! So it is too late to Repair squeaks or gaps once the treads from squeaking down the road their out... Basement stairs Stairways home improvement products into your home and clamp in place there is an open stringer one... Or cut it out stringer basement stairs Stairways home improvement products into your!! Degree on how your stairs were just paint grade pine NuStair® product can buy Hardwood or... Seen or accessed from beneath the staircase, which is attached to drywall be seen or accessed from the... As a mitered return on the new treads in his mid-century modern home tread that butts up the. Artistic home improvement products into your home pine treads altogether polyurethane glue and screws will work for... The materials after installation where they may have to scribe the end each... Staining the maple to match the stair skirting or stringers polyurethane glue and screws will work their out!

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