Laying Hardwood Flooring on Steps

Hardwood stairs fit in with almost any decor.

Hardwood flooring on your stairs adds an elegant look to the space. Choose for the stairs to match flooring in adjoining rooms or opt for a different color hardwood to make the stairs stand out. Installing the flooring properly gives the stairs a finished look.

Components

When laying hardwood flooring on stairs, you will come across the terms stringer, stair riser and stair tread. The stringer is the structure the stair sits upon. The stair riser is the vertical portion of the stair that holds up the stair tread, which is the portion of the stair you walk on. The distance from the riser to the tread up the stringer is called the "rise and run."

Time Frame

An experienced installer can lay hardwood flooring at a rate of about 40 to 50 minutes per stair. If you are a beginner, this time will be considerably slower. If you need to use the stairs while you are laying the flooring, consider using pre-finished hardwood.

Considerations

Some hardwood flooring made specifically for stairs includes predrilled holes for screws to secure the wood to the stair; however, it is possible to use glue to hold the wood in place. This is a good option if you need to use the stairs and can't wait for the polyurethane finish to dry.

Warnings

Before deciding to cover your existing stairs with hardwood, contact your local code enforcement office to ensure that your steps will still be up-to-code. Local building codes indicate the minimum and maximum rise and run of the tread to ensure the stairs are safe.

References

• HardwoodInstaller.com: Installing Hardwood on Stairs
• Wood Addicts' Guide Book:How to Install Solid Wood Stairs