How to Make Stair Molding
Stair molding lines the edges of staircases. It accents the curve of the stairs and joins the stair runner to the wall. This type of molding can often be purchased at a home improvement store or can be made using a router and a common bit. The end of the molding has a basic shape of one-quarter of a circle, with the curved part facing outward and the square part sitting against the wall and the stair runner. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Table-mounted router
- Curved over-router bit
- 1- by 1-inch board
- Miter saw
- Stain, paint or varnish
- Finish nailer
Instructions
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1
Mount the router bit in the router. Follow the directions that come with the router on the proper mounting procedures.
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2
Run the length of the 1-by-1 board through the router, rounding out the board.
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3
Use the miter saw to cut an angle in the molding so that it fits along the stair runner. Using a piece of paper to make a pattern of the angles on the runner can be helpful to get the appropriate angle the first time.
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4
Stain or paint the moldings to the desired color once the pieces are cut and fit together correctly.
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5
Use a finish nailer to nail the molding in place. Generally, you should start around an area at eye-level because mistakes or gaps in this area will be the most noticeable. Working away from this spot will allow gaps to be hidden in less obvious locations.
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Tips & Warnings
A curve-over bit will create a simple molding commonly used for stairs. Fancier molding can be created in this exact same manner by using different router bits and/or different sized pieces of wood.
References
- Photo Credit stairs image by Dmitry Nikolaev from Fotolia.com
