Installing Hardwood Flooring on Stairs
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How to Start
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The first thing to do is cut your hardwood to the length of the stairs. Then lay the first section of hardwood flooring against the riser. Leave a 1/4 inch gap for expansion and tack in the hardwood board using a finish nail. Now, line up the next section of hardwood flooring. This time use an air hammer and drive the nail into the tongue of the hardwood. The next board will be laid on top of the tongue covering up the nail. Continue to lay the hardwood until you reach the end of the stair.
Finishing the Stairs
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Lay the last piece of hardwood down on the stair and cut it so it is even with the end of the stairs. Now, if you lower yourself down to the lip of the stairs and look at the end of them you will notice there is a ridge where the hardwood meets the stair flooring. This ridge can be covered up by nosing, which is a piece of molding that fastens to the end of the stair riser. Nail this nosing piece so the top edge is flush with the top of the hardwood flooring, and it will create a smooth transition and edge.
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