How to Install Hardwood Steps

Installing hardwood steps is more difficult than it may sound. You have to cut the hardwood precisely, install the treading with a nailer and add any noise reduction material you might want. If you have stringers, you may want to replace these, but it is a good idea to use them. The first step (no pun intended) is to get the hardwood at the hardware store. Buy a few extra steps in case they are needed. Then start cutting your tread boards (which go under the hardwood steps) and get ready to install. You will also need to buy the nosing board for the top step.

Things You'll Need

• Nailer
• Hardwood steps
• Rip saw
• Table saw
• Nosing board
• Wood putty
• Measuring tool
• Nails

Instructions

1. Cut your steps to the right length, measuring each step for variations in length.

2. Add bracing to the risers if there are no braces and you feel they are needed. Use 2 by 4s and screw them into the riser flush.

3. Install your tread board using a nailer. Start at the bottom and work your way up so you can nail into the back of the boards at the back of each step. Each hardwood step should be flush to the wall. All railings should be removed first and moldings go on afterwards.

4. Fill each pneumatic nail hole with matching wood putty and let dry. If you are using a hand hammer, sink the nail heads a good 1/8 inch into the wood with a nail sink tool or nail driver and then fill with putty.

5. Rip your hardwood at the right angle for the landing, working your way up. Nail each board to the riser and bracing, with a smaller hand help hammer on the tight angles.

6. Finish your top landing step by adding nosing board cut for the corner at a 45 degree angle. Then finish the hardwood flooring or carpeting from the noise board.

Tips & Warnings

• Pre-finished steps are the easiest to install because you do not have to paint after the installation, but they can be damaged by dropped nails, nail guns and tools during your install. Steps with nosing already in place, will save the step of tacking down nosing on every stair. If your hardwood steps do not have nosing, you will have to install these first.

• Working on stairs presents a few dangers. Install each step while facing upstairs, even when nailing back through the above riser.

Resources

• Hardwood steps
• About stringers
• Another article on installing hard wood floors