Kahrs flooring and railing installation?
So far, I’m very satisfied with the Kahrs flooring I have installed (on concrete). Before I go any further, I have discovered a new question: How can stair railing (newel posts and balusters) be used with this type of flooring application? My staircase opens into the upstairs living room and currently has an iron stair railing and wrought iron wall as safety features to prevent falling into the stairwell. I would like to replace these with a more traditional wood railing, which will require balusters and newel posts.
Gluedown application is not advised as the underlayment is particleboard. I have also contacted the Kahrs company, but have not yet received a reply.
If anyone has dealt with this issue, please let me know. Also, if anyone has another idea, I’m open to suggestions. Thanks, Jane
Replies
Greetings Jane,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.
Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
well jane, let's try this again.
bump
"being human is a complicated proposition"-DavidxDoud---Never show a fool a half finished job---GrampsyI feel like a bunny in a hillbilly meadow at noon..........jjwalters
Have you found anything? If I understand your question, you don't have to run the flooring under the newel post or balusters. There is a few ways to accomplish this.
use a landing tread to continue around the opening. Use some shoe rail or just use a piece of oak S4S or whatever species matches your stairs.
Hope this doesn't confuse you more. If a can find a pic or example I'll post it. If you're not already done. <g>
Thanks for the input. No, I'm not finished - I like to have the entire project planned before I begin, so this part of the project may not even start until 2008. Kahrs tech support recommended to add a layer of plywood over particle board and then do glue-down, or to "use a hole saw to cut through the flooring, leaving a 1/2" expansion around the railing and cover the expansion space with a custom made collar of the same wood (not available from Kahrs)." The second suggestion is probably a better way to go, and I am assuming the word "rail" refers to both the balusters and newel posts.
Anyone have any feedback for this? Seems to be like life, a learning experience.
Thanks, Jane
The rail would be for the balusters. Have you already chosen your newel? Is it round? What about the balusters.
In this pic the lower landing has stair nosing and the upper hall, which is what I'm imagining close to your situation, has some S4S. This was a sand in place floor so the wood floor and the edging butted. I have also done them where I raised the edging so that the flooring slid slightly under the edging or used trim to cover the gap
View Image
Barry E-Remodeler
Edited 1/28/2007 7:29 pm by BarryE
Thanks for the input, but I should be more clear about my application. My issue is the railing/baluster/newel post system on the upper floor surrounding the stairwell. This opening is in the center of the upstairs floor which will be floating. The stairs themselves will be standard treads will balusters applied on the open side - not floating.
Like I said, I'm not progressing with the project until I've worked out the logistics. Wouldn't be prudent.
Jane
CJ,I think I understand where you're trying to go. Basically I think you can use solid wood, nailed down, around the edge of the stairwell, build your railing system on top of that, and bring the floating floor to the solid wood and not under it.There are many ways to achieve this, it's pretty standard. Are you hiring someone to do this or doing it yourself?Good luck
Barry E-Remodeler
This sounds like a viable suggestion! Much thanks. I will probably be doing the work myself. A little scary, but the learning is as much fun as enjoying the finished product.
Jane