
Install the risers
- Measure the risers and cut them out of 1/4” plywood one at a time. Check the stair stringer for square at each side of the tread. ...
- Cut each end of the riser on a slight bevel from front to back so you can achieve a tight fit flush with the stringer.
- Install the risers beginning at the top of the staircase. Hold the riser flush with the top of the stair step above it and nail it in place. ...
- Fill the nail holes in the riser, sand them smooth, and refinish them.
How can I resurface my stair treads?
Steps to Refinishing Your Stair Treads:
- Sand. Start by sanding down the treads to bare wood with the 80 grit sandpaper. ...
- Clean. Vacuum between passes, then wipe down the treads with a tack cloth. ...
- Sand again. ...
- Clean again. ...
- Treat the wood. ...
- Stain the treads. ...
- Apply the Finish. ...
- Sand, then repeat two more times. ...
How do you replace a stair tread?
Method 3 Method 3 of 4: Measuring and Cutting the New Treads Download Article
- Buy stair treads in your preferred wood. Common types of wood include pine and oak. ...
- Find out your local building code for stair measurements. Building codes vary a bit by country and state.
- Use a stair gauge to find the dimensions for each new tread. ...
- Lay the stair gauge over the new tread and trace the measurements. ...
How to install new stair treads and railings?
- Handrails must have a minimum clearance between the handrails and other objects of 2 1/4 inches.
- The standard height of handrails is between 34 and 38 inches, measured vertically from the nose of the stair treads.
- Handrails must be shaped in a manner that allows users to grip them firmly. ...
How to replace a rounded stair tread?
Instructions
- Remove Carpet. First, prep the stairs by removing the carpet with a utility knife and a pry bar. ...
- Remove Staples, Nails or Tack Strips
- Cut Existing Nosing
- Measure Stairs
- Cut Riser Pieces
- Cut Tread Caps
- Attach Edge Moulding
- Measure Tread Size
- Stain Your Stairs

How do you replace stair riser and treads?
3:5611:50How to Update Oak Stair Treads and Risers | Ask This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCut take the same board and i bring it over here again square on this end i bring it in i put itMoreCut take the same board and i bring it over here again square on this end i bring it in i put it tight to the riser.
How hard is it to replace stair treads?
2:113:21How to Install Replacement Treads on your Staircase - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn some cases you may need to install risers before installing your new treads. If this is the caseMoreIn some cases you may need to install risers before installing your new treads. If this is the case use construction adhesive and finish nails.
How do you install stair treads and risers over existing stairs?
17:0322:06How to install new treads and risers on your old stairs. Beginners DIYYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's very simple all I'm gonna do is just apply a good bead on this riser I'm gonna lift it upMoreSo it's very simple all I'm gonna do is just apply a good bead on this riser I'm gonna lift it up into place. The first rise is gonna run a little lower than here.
How much does it cost to replace treads on stairs?
Hardwood stair treads and risers cost $1,800 to $2,500 to replace. Treads cost about $35 to $50 each, although you can find treads as low as $20 each or upward of $160 each for treads made with higher quality wood.
Can you put new stair treads over old treads?
Retro-fitting stair treads is the simplest solution for a DIY'er intent on installing hardwood treads over an existing flight of stairs. High-quality prefinished stair treads are made of solid edge-glued wood—not a veneered or engineered material—and can be used to “cap” or reface an existing tread.
Do you install stair treads or risers first?
Do work at least one riser ahead before installing treads. Installing two risers is one way to ensure proper strength and performance. The important thing is to remember to install riser, tread, riser, tread or install the risers first. Do use both adhesives and fasteners when possible.
How can I redo my stairs cheap?
0:1310:20DIY Stairs Makeover for Under $200 with Full Cost Breakdown!! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I start off by eliminating the connection between the drywall and stairs by adding a 1-inch pieceMoreSo I start off by eliminating the connection between the drywall and stairs by adding a 1-inch piece of trim to the top of the stringer.
Do risers go on top of treads?
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.
How do you replace stair treads on hardwood floors?
0:056:07How To Install Prefinished RetroFit Stair Treads from Stair-Treads.comYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOur first step is to remove the old carpet exposing the sub tread. Below now is the perfect time toMoreOur first step is to remove the old carpet exposing the sub tread. Below now is the perfect time to drive some 2 inch deck screws into the sub tread to prevent squeaks in our new staircase.
What wood is best for stair treads?
While Pine is softer than Oak and other hardwoods, Pine is nevertheless one of the best woods for stair treads. Pine hardwood floors and stair treads have incredible longevity – you'll find many homes with Pine floors that are centuries old.
How much does it cost in labor install stair treads?
Fair Cost Guide - Wood Stair TreadItem detailsLowHighLabor Includes on site setup, site preparation, job completion, trash removal and work area cleanup.$169.61$425.36Supplies, Tools Includes equipment allowance and supplies for preparation, job completion and site cleanup.$77.70$114.053 more rows
How much does it cost to install wood stair treads?
Installing hardwood stairs costs approximately $100 to $200 per step, including labor and materials. Assuming that the stair case has 17-20 stairs, that's a total estimated cost of $1,700 to $4,000.
How do you replace stair treads on hardwood floors?
0:056:07How To Install Prefinished RetroFit Stair Treads from Stair-Treads.comYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOur first step is to remove the old carpet exposing the sub tread. Below now is the perfect time toMoreOur first step is to remove the old carpet exposing the sub tread. Below now is the perfect time to drive some 2 inch deck screws into the sub tread to prevent squeaks in our new staircase.
How can I redo my stairs cheap?
0:1310:20DIY Stairs Makeover for Under $200 with Full Cost Breakdown!! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I start off by eliminating the connection between the drywall and stairs by adding a 1-inch pieceMoreSo I start off by eliminating the connection between the drywall and stairs by adding a 1-inch piece of trim to the top of the stringer.
How do you replace a broken stair tread?
1:223:48How to Repair a Broken Stair Tread | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCrack. I want to work the broken piece so the glue settles all the way down to the bottom of theMoreCrack. I want to work the broken piece so the glue settles all the way down to the bottom of the crack. Now i'm ready to glue the dowel. I'll put a generous amount on the dowel. Too work that around.
How do you remove glued stair treads?
Scrub the adhesive with a piece of steel wool, working the alcohol into the adhesive in a circular motion. Continue scrubbing the adhesive until it lifts off the stairs. Apply more alcohol to the adhesive as necessary to completely remove it from the stair treads.
What does it mean when a stair tread is mortised?
The stair treads could also be mortised into position. Mortised means a square hole has been put in the stair treads to accept the base of the baluster.
Where is the riser screwed?
Now, it is possible that the riser has been screwed horizontally into the stair tread on the back side of the tread on the underside of the staircase and/or that triangular blocks have been mounted between the stair treads and the stair risers.
Can you cut out the balusters on a staircase?
If you can't access the back of the stairs, you will need to find some way to remove the balusters and newel posts. You may end up having to cut them out and then replace them after you fix the broken tread. It is drastic, but a well made staircase was never meant to be taken apart.
Can you remove a newel post from a stair tread?
You have the easiest type of stairs to remove a tread from. If the newel post sits on top of the tread, then you will need to remove the newel post before you can remove the stair tread to work on it. Newel posts can be anchored in a variety of different ways.
How long does it take to install prefinished stair treads?
In other words, half the work is done for you, so installation takes only about 15 minutes per tread.
What is retrofitting stair treads?
Retro-fitting stair treads is the simplest solution for a DIY’er intent on installing hardwood treads over an existing flight of stairs. High-quality prefinished stair treads are made of solid edge-glued wood—not a veneered or engineered material—and can be used to “cap” or reface an existing tread. The primary advantage of using the prefinished stair treads is the ease of installation.
What are the advantages of prefinished stair treads?
The primary advantage of using the prefinished stair treads is the ease of installation. For example, the stairs shown in this article were built of lumber and covered with carpet. Once the carpet was removed, the raw lumber tread was revealed and it was downright ugly.
How deep is stair tread?
Standard tread depth is 11-1/2 inches, and a variety of widths are available to meet your specifications. Additionally, Stair-treads.com is not simply a distributor but also the tread manufacturer, and the company will custom-stain the treads to your flooring.
How high should a staircase riser be?
Also, keep in mind that maximum riser height should be 7-3/4 inches and minimum tread run no less than 10 inches.
How big should a bull nose be on a tread?
There was no need to rip the treads to width, as the standard 11-1/2 inches was the perfect size to cover the tread and leave and attractive 1/2-inch bull nose over each riser. Use plenty of construction adhesive to secure each tread and fasten with finish nails. Fasten each tread with finish nails. Finishing Up.
Can I cut my own stair treads?
Although made-to-order stair treads are available for purchase, I cut my own from some pre-primed MDF trim boards that I had leftover from a previous job. MDF trim boards are relatively inexpensive, easy to work with, and readily available at home-improvement stores such as Lowe’s. I pre-painted the boards with high-gloss white latex before cutting to size.
What happens after you install a stair riser?
After installing a stair riser, the tread will sit on top of that riser. This allows for a snug fit between the tread and riser without any gaps.
Why Install Stair Risers First?
It means that you first install the bottom two risers. Then you install the first tread, which fits above the bottom riser and against the riser behind the tread.
How long does it take to install stair treads?
The actual installation of stair treads and risers shouldn’t take you much more than a day unless you are including a railing, which would make it a two or three-day job depending on the complexity of your stair plan.
How wide should stair treads be?
If you are installing pre-fabricated stair treads, they are most likely going to be 11 ½” wide. In some instances, you might not even have to cut them lengthwise if your stringers or stair subfloor uses the standard 7” x 11” rise over run found in most modern homes.
Why do you need to install a riser first?
Stair stringers are not always level, so if you install the tread first, you will have to shim it accordingly if your stair stringers are out of level. By installing the riser first, you can use your level to bring your riser to a height to ensure your stair tread is level.
How many times should I measure for a tread riser?
Otherwise, go ahead and install your first two risers and then alternate between treads and risers. Go slow, measure three times before you cut, and make sure your treads are level before moving on to the next one.
What is needed to install a stair?
Understand that your installation will require nails, screws, and construction adhesive. The adhesive is the most important part of your install – and don’t be shy when using it. Remember, stairs withstand major abuse, so you want them to be rock solid.
