How to Lay Hardwood Flooring on Stairs

If you've laid hardwood floors in your home, then you're probably going to want your stairs to match. While laying hardwood flooring is fairly easy, laying hardwood flooring on stairs can take a little more time and effort. Precise measurements and careful cutting are needed to make sure that your stairs look as beautiful as the rest of your home.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pliers
• Level
• Chalk line
• Circular saw
• Nails (preferably 15 gauge)
• Nosing

1. Rip up any carpeting that remains on the stairs. Carefully remove the tack strip and discard it. Sweep the stairs so that you are beginning with a clean surface. Any debris or dirt left on the stairs can cause hardwood flooring to not secure properly and squeak.

2. Using your level, test the stairs to see how level they are. If you find that there are a few minor spots where the stairs aren't perfectly level, sand those high points to secure the best results.

3. Starting with the top step, lay the stair material down onto the stair and measure for a perfect fit. Draw a chalk line or a pencil line where the stair will need to be cut to allow for corners or banisters. Remember to measure once and cut twice.

4. Cut the hardwood stair material where you've drawn with your circular saw.

5. Fit the hardwood stair material into its place on the stairs. Nail it in on each corner.

6. Repeat the measuring and cutting process for the stair riser. Fit it into place, and nail it to secure three times across the stringer. You can fill the nail holes with putty later.

7. Continue the process all the way down the staircase. When you are done, install nosing into the corners where the steps and risers meet, to cover up any rough edges.