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How To Install Hardwood Stair Treads

How do you attach wood stair treads?

Measure each tread and cut it to size then install it using 2-1/4″ trim screws. installing the treads. Install the Treads. fill in screw holes with wood putty. Fill Screw Holes. mark stair railing for angled cut. Cut Railing to Length. pre drill landing and treads for balusters. attach rail fasteners into newel posts.

Should you nail or screw stair treads?

Don’t fasten treads and or risers with only nails or staples. The adhesive is much more important than the fasteners. There will be times when fastening may be limited, so a good adhesive is critical. Rely on the front edge of the riser for your level surface.

Should stair treads or risers be installed first?

When installing stairs, install the riser first, and then the tread. Start at the bottom of the stairs and work your way up, alternating risers and treads. The back of each tread will sit flush against the riser. Treads and risers fasten with construction adhesive to the subfloor.

Can you just glue stair treads down?

NO!!! As someone who’s done a lot of hardwood flooring, as well as stairs, adhesives are not enough to hold a stair tread down. Treads should be attached with a combination of adhesive and nails. Nail length being a minimum of twice the thickness of your tread and of 16 gauge or larger.

Can you install stair treads without nails?

Modern adhesive technology allows for the installation of stair treads without having to drill holes for screws or hammer nails into the surface. Allowing for a 1 1/2-inch overhang, the minimum depth of the stair tread must be at least 10 inches. Cut the tread to the exact size needed using a miter saw.

Can I use Liquid Nails for stair treads?

We no longer recommend using Liquid Nails® brand products. Because Liquid Nails’ products are labeled very similarly and packaging can vary between location and retailer, we strongly discourage the use of any other brand of adhesive, including Liquid Nails, for your stair installation.

How do you hide screw holes in stair treads?

Drill a Hole So before you start, wrap some masking tape around the brad-point bit to act as a depth indicator. After making the counterbore, drill a pilot hole for the screw using a separate twist bit the same diameter as the screw’s shank.

Are hardwood stairs worth it?

While wood flooring on your stairs can provide a sleek and modern feel to your home, they can also be dangerous. Wood stairs can be slippery, and there’s not much cushion if a fall were to happen. If you have children, seniors or sleepwalkers in your home, wood stairs may not be the best choice in terms of safety.

How far should a tread overhang the riser?

Stairs must have an overhang between 3/4″ to 1-1/4” to increase the depth of the step, making it better for descent while maintaining a clear 10-inch going for the ascent. Treads that are 11-inches deep or greater do not require an overhang.

Can I use 2×10 for stair treads?

It is acceptable and within building code guidelines to use either 2×10 or 2×12 dimensional lumber to create a set of stairs; however, a stair stringer should not be less than 3.5 inches wide at its narrowest point to provide adequate strength for the load the stairs will be supporting.

Which adhesive is best for stair treads?

A polyurethane glue, such as Loctite PL Premium, is a highly recommended adhesive. Since the stair treads, or the surface of your stairs, receives a lot of foot traffic, you’ll want to make sure it’s properly installed.

Is construction adhesive enough for stair treads?

The construction adhesive should hold the treads nicely. Make sure you allow enough to hold the treads in place. 2500# psi adhesive should be good enough.

Can I use 18 gauge nails for stair treads?

There are so many different types of nails out there, but when installing your treads and risers you will want to go with the Finish Nails. Using a 16 or 18 gauge finish nail will sure get the job done and the nail hole will barely be noticeable!Aug 3, 2012.

Where do you nail stair treads?

Drill three pilot holes for nails through the top of the tread at each stringer. Space the innermost and outermost pilot holes 1 1/2-inch from the respective edges of the tread. Drill the center pilot holes midway between the front and back edges of the tread.

How do you fill the gap between stair tread and riser?

Riser-to-Tread Gap Place the cove molding face up across two sawhorses. Measure the width of the stair tread where it meets the riser. Apply a bead of construction sealant to the back of the molding. Apply colored silicone caulking to stringer gaps. Cut the tip off of a tube of colored silicone with a utility knife.

What screws to use for stairs?

Use screws that are between 2 and 4 inches long. Deck screws are available in this size range, and are used for this purpose on deck stairs. Drilling pilot holes will help prevent splitting the wood of the stringers.

Can you use screws for stairs?

Stairs. Building stairs for your deck is a job for both screws and nails. As with the deck boards that make up the floor of your deck, you need to use the same 3-1/2-inch deck screws to attach the stair treads to the stringers.

How much should a stair tread overhang?

Nosing Requirements The nosing on treads, believe it or not, has a code minimum and maximum of how far the nosing projects over the next stair. Nosings are required to overhang a minimum of ¾-in. to a maximum of 1-¼-in. Also the maximum nosing radius cannot exceed 9/16 of an inch.