| I’m replacing all wall-to-wall carpeting with prefinished 3/4 solid 2 1/4 inch red oak t&g strip flooring (Muskoka). I would like the same flooring on the stairs leading to the second floor. My plan is to remove the micro bevel from each strip with a router, glue the strips together, route the nosing and attach each tread. The current tread under the stair carpeting is 3/4. I’ve read lots of reasons for NOT doing stair treads this way, primarily from tread manufacturers and was looking for some feedback from those that have actually done this or have opinions as to whether this is a good way to go. I’ve completed putting this flooring on the first floor and like the product. | |
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Replies
Hi Jimmiem, The main reasons not to go this route are time and cost. You are talking about edge- gluing 5 or 6 peices of this oak flooring. Then you will be sanding the joints flat which means you will be re-applying the finish (2-3) coats. Why go through this work when there are nice red oak treads ready to go at most lumberyards. Oak is a very easy wood to match stain and finish on. They are made the same way you are describing making your own. You can cut them all to fit your stairs, stain and finish them and the install them all "pre-finished."
Hardwood Flooring on Stairs
I took you advice and went to a local lumber yard and they had exactly what I needed. I was quite surprised at how reasonable the cost was. I had gotten a quote from the flooring retailer.....$83 for a 1 inch thick prefinished tread with return. The same tread without the return was $67. Any recommendations on an oil based semi-gloss polyurethane?
My flooring sub loves Procoat oil poly products. Good luck.
hardwood on stairs
All my custom home owners have carpet installed on the stairs, especially when they are walked on on a daily basis. Even when the stairs consist of hardwood (for appearance), they install runners of carpet over the hardwood stairs. The mainreason is safety. Not everyone wears nonslip shoes or slippers in the house. Walking in socks on a slippery stairsurface is quite hazardous. Kids running .... is asking for serious trouble. It's bad enough when they run the bicycle down the basement stairs.
Extended homeowner insurance would be a must
My friend in Germany had marble treads in stainless steel supports. After they had to help grandma down the stairs from the second floor because she was too afraid to step "on ice" they "bushhammered" the treads and even that did not help much
The other funoption would be a zipline from the second floor to the mainfloor :=)
Hardwood on Stairs
We decided that a carpet runner on the stairs is a must.....my wife has tripped several times over the years on stairs and level floors. Thank you for the reminder and reinforcement. I could go for the zip line but she doesn't like that idea.
Hardwood Flooring on Stairs
time & money is the point!
i agree with finefinish, "pre-finished" is important
Hardwood Flooring on Stairs
Based on the price I was quoted for prefinished stair treads I thought using the flooring might be a less costly option. I have the time and I tried to make a sample tread by removing the micro bevel. The bevel removal was quick and the milling tolerance was very good and overwood minimal to none so refinishing would not be required. But then it was suggested that local lumber yards would have unfinished treads at a very reasonable price. That turned out to be true so that's what I will do. Will just have to poly, cut, and install.
Time and Money
hopefully spent within this country, providing employment for our citizens and perhaps also, allow a return for full refund w/o having to ship a package outside of the hemisphere to rcv. just an exchange credit...........
but what the heck do I know.