I wish to build a setof stairs with false treads to recieve a strip of carpet down the middle. There are a number of kits available to buy the false treads themselves. I am trying to figure out how to build the subtread (that which the false treads will be nailed) so that the carpet will flow naturally and that no edge of the carpet will show.
I have seen one suggestion on line but was short on specifics.
To get the the thinking started, the false tread nosing extents out 1 1/4 ” therefore in order for teh carpet not to extend past the false tread and expose teh carpet edge teh subtread needs to be short of teh 1 1/4″. Teh top of teh sub tread nosing should not be square. The underside of the sub tread nosing can not also be square as that would hold the carpet proud of teh false tread as well.
It seems that 1 1/8″ particle board treads would be too thick and hold the underside ofthe carpet too low.
Anyway, what have you built or what have you seen.
Thank you.
Replies
Talked to carpet installer
Talked to a really nice carpet installer on the phone today. Nice but did not really get a complete answer. He said he had layed carpet between false treads but could not tell me how thick the subtreads were or how far out the nosing ran. Better than the carpet store which was only excited about a $10,000 carpet order, but be helpful in figuring out a tiny portion of the install?
Even if I were not a DIYer I would still want to know how to prepare proper subtreads before I hired some one to rough the stairs in for me. I have far too much experience with contractors (NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE HERE) who are always quick to say YES, NO PROBLEM, and in reality have no idea how to do something. I am sure there are plenty of finish stair builders who have had to redo plenty of stiars or subteads. As personal experience, my sister had a house built and the framing carpenters framed the stairs. The last riser at the top of the stairs is a full two inches higher than the rest of the risers. This is really wierd since a common error is to forget teh thickness of the tread and ending up with a short riser at the top. It surprised me that the finish carpenter who layed the hardwood treads never said a word to my sister befoer he finished the stairs Anyway, it is tough to get information. Thanks to all for sharing their expertise.
Carpet subtreads
The are several website forums that deal exclusively with flooring and stairs. The best I have found is The Flooring Pro. Your questions will be answered by professionals. I 've gotten some excellent help from them. I'm replacing the wall to wall carpeting on my stairs. Some of the stairs treads are open on one end. I've pulled some of the carpeting and the installer rolled it over the return and nosing and stapled it underneath so there are no exposed edges visible. This was even done on the corners of the treads. This might even be a good question for your local building inspector. Interesting question as different carpet and padding thicknesses would create different overhangs and different profiles beside the side false treads.....wonder what the inspector would say. You got my curiosity going so I called a building inspector. It took a bit of explaining but he eventually got it and said it sounded like a lot of work and didn't really know what the nosing dimensions should be.....he said put in a solid tread and install a carpet runner down the middle.
Jim
Yes, the runner is usually bound on each long edge-they make up any length joint up under the nosing-starting over again down the riser.
I might have come across an inset carpet/visible tread either side, but couldn't say when. That would be the Mercedes, which would limit the number of mechanics that work on it.
Inset carpets are ...
Around here inset carpets are relatively comon on upper middle homes. Unlike what you said, they are NEVER bound on the edges, they are just set in between the false treads.
It is not easy to go around pulling carpet to see how it was done. However, it is clear to say that if the edges are not bound and a carpet is laid over a full 1 1/8 thick sub tread, the unboaund edge will show. Unless teh subtread is eased over some how and to some degree.
JIM's inspector suggested running full treads and forget the false tread. Wellllllll ... the nice carpet guy I spoke to said that he sold a runner, laid on top of treads and the customers later said they wish they would have done false treads. ???????? why, did it come loose. Weird.
Of course full treads are more expensive than false treads, and runners are more expensive than carpet.
So as is often the case high end homes go full treads and runners. Low end house just carpet stairs over partiacle board. Those in the middle .... well false treads and carpet up the middle to look like a runner.
I would go with the runner. My wife does not want a hotel look (I think she is wrong about that) but wants carpet up the middle.
Go figure.
I doubt ..
I doubt an inspector is going to go crazy about carpet thicknesses. But it is clear that if you have a stairs framed with subtreads intented to be carpeted and then you go and put a finished tread on top of teh subtread instead of carpet you will have trouble. The bottom step would be 1 inch higher than all the rest adn the top step 1 inche shorter.
Carpet to Wood stair treads
Inspector was fine with replacing the carpet with solid treads...right on top of the subtreads. He said that as far as inspection is concerned carpet and solid wood treads are considered to be the same thickness. I have read the national and my state's stair building codes and I will be code compliant with what I am doing. The top landing is carpeted and replacing the carpet with 3/4" solid wood flooring and replacing the top step carpeting with a 3/4" solid wood tread will keep that rise the same. Replacing the bottommost step carpeting with the 3/4" solid wood tread will still be within allowable code variance as it relates to the slate first floor landing. All other steps will maintain the same rise relationship. I wouldn't take a chance on doing this if it would violate code or safety.