How to Install Laminate Flooring on a Staircase

Install laminate flooring to your wooden staircase.

Laminate is a synthetic product that simulates wood. It is an inexpensive and easy to install option for covering floors. However, the advantages of laminate flooring are highlighted when there is a need to cover staircases or other hard to reach areas. Laminate has a simple installation system and is offered in planks, tiles and boards of different dimensions. Therefore, you will not have a hard time choosing a particular width that can fit your staircase.

Things You'll Need

• Pry bar
• Sandpaper
• Multipurpose cleaner
• Hard brush
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Saw
• Glue
• Nail gun
• Nails
• Wood molding and nosing
• Wood putty

Instructions

1. Decide which type of laminate flooring you want to install. Laminate flooring comes in many shapes such as planks, boards and tiles. For covering a staircase, planks and tiles are the best choice. Choose the dimensions suitable for your stairs. It can usually be arranged that each stair step is covered with exactly two laminate planks.

2. Prepare the surface of the staircase for the laminate installation. Take off the old staircase covering, if there is any. You can use a pry bar to take off the covering on the staircase. Then remove all the nails, glue or wood residue on the stairs.

3. Even out the stair surface with sandpaper. Clean the whole staircase thoroughly using a multipurpose cleaner with warm water and a hard brush. Then wipe the surfaces with a clean cloth and wait a few minutes to ensure that the staircase is dry.

4. Measure the width and depth of the stair steps. Start from the bottom of the stairs and measure the first riser. Cut the laminate planks according to the dimensions you measured, making sure you deduct a quarter of an inch to the measurement of the width of the steps.

5. Install the laminate flooring on the first riser. Spread glue on the bottom surface of the laminate plank and place the laminate plank on the first riser. The plank should be positioned evenly with the outer side of the riser. This will leave a ¼-inch gap on the side of the stairs that is near the wall. The gap will allow the laminate flooring to expand. If you need to install a second plank of laminate flooring to fit the depth of the riser, install another plank beside the first plank that you installed. The front edges of the plank and the edge of the riser should be even. Continue installing laminate flooring to the rest of the stair steps.

6. Mount the stair nosing on the edge of the top stair. Stair nosing is usually hardwood and can be purchased at the same hardware store as laminate flooring. Your nosing should match with your laminate flooring.Glue the nosing on the stair and then secure it with finishing nails. Make sure to counter-sink the nails so that no nail heads are protruding.

7. Cover the gaps on the side of the stair along the walls with wood molding. Attach the molding to the wall with nails. Continue covering the rest of the gaps on the sides of the stairs.

8. Attach the same molding on the bottom stair, where the staircase meets the floor. Nail the molding to the floor using a nail gun. Choose a wood molding similar to the wood nosing that you used to achieve a uniform and elegant look.

9. Apply wood putty to cover all the nail heads on the stairs. Use a woody putty that matches the color of your laminate.

10. Let the staircase set for at least 24 hours to allow the glue to settle and dry.

Tips & Warnings

• When choosing a finish for your laminate stairway flooring, make sure to pick a rough, less slippery texture finish.

• Be extremely careful when working with power saws and nail guns and always wear goggles and gloves.

References

• Bob Villa: Laminate Floor Basics
• Installing Laminate Flooring: Guide for Installing Laminate Flooring