What are you using to protect finished treads during final stages of construction? We are about to remove temp treads and install the hardwood treads and paintgrade risers. The only thing left on the top floor is some painting, plumbing and electrical finish, and carpeting.
I was thinking of lots of blue painter’s masking tape, the kind that removes readily without leaving a residue.
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Replies
I don't have a great solution for treads and risers, but foam pipe insulation works great on railings. We get it for large diameter pipes and slip it over door jambs and window sills too.
Smile. It could be worse. You could be me working for you.
Leave that blue painter's tape on for awhile and walk it in and you will have a devil of a time removing it.
The least expensive way it to cut some pieces of Pink Resin paper and use the blue tape tp hold it in place.
Problem with that is that it tears easy if you don't tape all four edges but it gets the tape out where it isn't getting walked in tight to remain for a generation or so
Excellence is its own reward!
I used to rip up some 1/4-in. laun and tack it to the treads and risers. A couple of tack holes are no big deal for the floor guy to fill, and they beat what could happen. Use SS or galvie nails just in case somebody spills their coffee though. Bright nails with the smallest amount of water turn oak black. There's an article in the issue that's at the printer now on protecting a house during construction. If you can wait a few weeks, there are some good solutions in there, too.Andy Engel, The Former Accidental Moderator
There is a company called Protech, or something similar that I've bought protective films from. On a google search I couldn't find them (not sure how to spell), but here is something similar that came back in the search:
http://www.protectiveproducts.com/productline.html
Piffin's right about the blue tape. After a few months of being on a floor, it can make an incredible mess.Matt
Lug soles, stone driveway. Not a good combo for hardwoods. I use brown rosin paper over finished goods. Have heard but not seen, red rosin bleed when wet. I will lay down walkways of kitchen cab cardboard, with drop cloth runners under that. Every nite if heavy use by the trades, I'll pick up the cardbd and drops and sweep. Any hard or sharp objects under the protection will scratch the floor and I'd hate to find out later. I've used cardbd on finished stairs b/4, securing it is not easy and it will slide, so safety might veto it's use. The protective products company has some interesting finished floor protection, but all I've used from them are the carpet runners. They sent out a sample of this stuff, might be what you want. http://www.protectiveproducts.com/durarunner.html
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
We use rosin paper, taped down to the new treads, along all 4 sides, with 3M blue tape. Be sure to wrap the tread nosing. That is what gets the most abuse. Because the treads get a lot of abuse and the rosin paer just is not duable enough, we then use 1/8 ( maybe leftover 1/4") masonite to cover the tread. The masonite is attached using duct tape. Oh yeah, the nosing rosin paper is reinforced with a strip or two of duct tape.
The rosin paper protects the treads from coming in direct contact and ground in with debris and dust, while the masonite takes the physical abuse- dropped tools, dragged cords etc.
We have never nailed down the masonite since the duct tape serves as the attatcher and a sealer for debris from getting underneath, but will def concider using the brad nailer next time and then edge it with masking tape. Note: Just do not use the same nail schedule on each step. Vary it and the nail holes will not be as appearent. The luan works well but we have so much masonite on the job and the masonite cleans up really well when mopping. I wonder how much dust would get caught in the luan grain.
This method was developed for finished treads.
Hope this helps,
F.