In the case of a badly built stair nose, when someone steps on it, the stair nose gives way, and well, you get the idea. Place the stair nose on the front of the step. Typically, stair noses dont lay flush with the stair treads, sometimes rising more than 30mm above the height of the stair treads. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. There are concerns that the formaldehyde in the laminate could cause long term health effects. When you take into consideration the installation method, you will find that it is also simple to set up. Alternatively, you can use a finish saw and make many small, parallel cuts. Otherwise, use a finish hand saw and cut carefully. This can be tricky if they are glued or nailed into place. If you prefer to install smooth laminate with no surface texturing, its advisable to invest in clear stair covers. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Once youre done covering the screw/nail holes, clean off any excess debris and sawdust from the installation process. This means that the laminate on your steps will require additional adhesive, and you will need to glue it to the subfloor. Why don't we use the 7805 for car phone chargers? Putting a very small bead across the tongue will ensure adhesion but also minimize the amount youll need to wipe away. In this article, we will go over exactly how to measure, cut, and install laminate flooring on stairs to look as good on your stairs as it does in the rest of your house. This will avoid future warping, expansion, and contraction of your laminate by allowing it to acclimatize. On the other hand, understand that when you buy laminate flooring, you are buying a product that is essentially a stew of chemicals hardened into a plank that you can walk on. Since you are gluing your laminate as well as nailing it, youll want a surface beneath your laminate that provides optimal adhesion. TrafficMasters laminate flooring comes in two attractive finishes. The flooring manufactures say 10mm/12mm gap to cover themselves i think incase something does expand. Cutting risers is just the same as cutting the treads cut them to width first and then to length. You can apply the putty using a plastic scraper. JavaScript is disabled. Alternatively, you can use a piece of plywood to pad the riser, filling out the space underneath the overhang. What's the cheapest way to buy out a sibling's share of our parents house if I have no cash and want to pay less than the appraised value? The first step to installing laminate floor planks on stairs is to prep the staircase. How can I level this concrete floor so I can install laminate? To profile it around the stairs i have a small plastic 2). When a gnoll vampire assumes its hyena form, do its HP change? Meanwhile, professional installation costs range from $15-$25 per square foot. Gluing to vinyl is also not ideal youll want to remove it first. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 616,245 times. Looking to install beautiful and durable laminate on your staircase floor? The processes to create plastic versus laminate are completely different. Continue to work your way down the stairs filling in the holes and removing the tape on each piece of nosing. A box of laminate is typically just over 15 square feet, so youll need about 3.5 boxes of laminate for that same flight of stairs. WebRemove the Laminate Flooring. Before you do that, however, you are going to score all of your treads and risers with a utility knife. Once youve scored your laminate on the back, apply the adhesive in a serpentine pattern. I really like that system in your picture. Dont only think about how it will look; think about how it will function as well. The tread piece should not extend all the way to the edge of the step, as you will need to leave room for the top nosing. It will also allow you a comfortable margin for potential errors. As you move down your steps, make sure your risers are not protruding up above the tread subfloor. That means the laminate on your stairs needs extra adhesion youll need to glue it to your subfloor. Just checking the best way around to do this to get the best finish. But bear in mind: Nailing may damage the face of the laminate. To acclimatize your laminate planks, let them sit on the staircase for at least 72 hours prior to installation. UK VAT Registered: 850 4121 63. Laminate flooring planks are increasingly becoming the go-to type of flooring for staircases. I'm the head writer, Joe. This means that where you would normally put beading (scotia) around the outside of the room to cover the expansion gap, in the case of the bottom step of carpet the carpet is trucked into this gap. Best of luck with your next laminate stair project! After installing underlay material, you can now start measuring and cutting out the laminate planks that youll use on your stairs. Also included is the stair nosing (or trim), which is a decorative piece that drapes over the front of the step. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. ', referring to the nuclear power plant in Ignalina, mean? Would the fitting above be the best option also? When installing laminate flooring on stairs, remember to take your time since the process differs greatly compared to installing laminate on floors. 158 By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. You are also going to nail or screw your treads and risers to your subfloor. These transparent, plastic covers provide additional grip on the staircase without concealing the beauty of the laminate planks underneath them. This is necessary as you may need to cut a number of boards to fill in extra spaces. Laminate flooring- cut to bottom of stairs? You'll need some long nails to get through the carpet, so it's best to pre-drill the nail holes so you don't split the trim. It is recommended that you leave your flooring in this condition for at least 72 hours before placing it. It's not them. To effectively install laminate stairway flooring, follow the procedure detailed below. Stairs start at 36 wide. For some, thats enough cause for concern about tripping hazards. Laminate flooring is designed to look like wood, but the similarities between the two materials end there. What is Laminate Flooring made of? As such, you should go for a textured laminate whose surface is rougher and provides better traction. The following are some straightforward instructions for placing laminate on stairwells. You can cover up the nails or screws with wood filler later to match the color of your laminate. Do the same on the vertical part of the step using the riser pieces. Some nosing will allow you to screw from underneath, concealing the screw hole. If youve got the necessary tools and a little spare time on your hands, you can install laminate flooring yourself despite the fact that its not the easiest material to work with. Glue with high water content tends to seep into the pores of the material it is adhering to, minimizing the effectiveness of the bond. Use a utility knife to cut out the spindle holes go slowly because precision is critical here. A tight bond is critical for laminate on steps. [Step by Step Guide]Continue, In many ways, a laminate floor is a good alternative to hardwood floors in terms of appearance. Arguably the best part of Titebond is that it is water-resistant. Thus, you may have to attach two laminate boards together by applying adhesive to the tongues and grooves before locking them in position. Measuring the riser length is simple. Scrape or Sand Off Leftover Adhesive. How much does to install laminate flooring?, Read More How much does to install laminate flooring? By using our site, you agree to our. Problem is if you push the wood too far you might end up leaving no gap at all and won't know that as the carpet is in the way. A laminate cutter works well, but that requires you to have a laminate cutter which most people dont own. Cut one piece of laminated stair nose to width using a miter saw. Cookies Don't push it tight to the floor, there may be tack strip there holding the carpet. To learn how to choose the right laminate flooring for your stairs, read on! By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. How can I remove laminate flooring from an oddly shaped hallway without destroying it? With the average cost of installation costing $3 to $8 per square foot total, labor costs make up anywhere from 20% to 50% of your final cost. While laminate planks have been known to work well on even floor surfaces, many wonder whether theyre great for stairway flooring as well. If the edges of the plank are not perfectly aligned with the edges of the riser, you can trim them to fit. Titebond will not degrade over time due to moisture contact, ensuring your laminate steps dont move. Then use a small flathead screwdriver or chisel to remove the small cuts of material. By far, the easiest way is to remove your stair spindles. Once your laminate planks suffer severe damage due to years of wear or water damage, youll have to replace them, as they cant be refinished. I'm a DIY nut, and the founder and chief editor here at Weekend Builds. Now that the floor is clear and no moulding is present, locate the wall that has the tongue side of the laminate flooring. Consumers have several options for laminate flooring, which ranges from wood to natural finishes. You are going to glue the riser in place using construction adhesive. Alternatively, you might use construction adhesive to attach the boards to the risers and then install corner molding on the open sides of the risers, and then nail the molding to the stair stringer to hold the riser coverings in place while the glue cures. Using the cardboard on top of the laminate tread piece youve cut, mark out the spindle holes on the tread. Take one section of cardboard and draw a line on your tread that goes through both spindle holes. Cut your laminate piece along that line using a miter saw a fine toothed blade works wonders here. Insert the wood screws, leaving the plastic tape in place until after you've covered the screws with putty. Cheltenham Member since 26 Jan 2009 Measure the tread size exactly as outlined above. After 20-30 minutes, use a damp cloth to even out the putty covering each screw, before it is fully dry. AC-4 is a good rating for a laminate product in a stair application. Making cuts on narrow material on a miter saw can be awkward make sure you hold it snug when you cut so it doesnt move. Should we fit carpet first or laminate the bottom level first? You should measure and cut out the stair noses to the length of the laminate treads and risers. Dont be shy with your construction adhesive and consider using nails or screws to provide additional adhesion for your laminate treads, risers, and nosing. Cut your laminate piece along that line using a miter saw a fine toothed blade works wonders here. One of the things I really like about that system is it has multiple set points and you could easily take the transition out and replace if something happened. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. A more extreme solution would be to use a leveling compound, which is not easy to work with on stairs. Stairs are often a very high traffic area in a house. Your average step is about 36 wide. You can either cut away the overhang with a jigsaw or use a piece of plywood to fill in the gaps with a piece of plywood. Accounting for your riser thickness and nosing width, start by cutting your treads to width. Once this is done, measure and cut out your pieces of laminate to make tread pieces, riser pieces and stair nosing. Once glued and screwed, the shim should hold tight and keep your tread and nose from moving and becoming dislodged. Using an Ohm Meter to test for bonding of a subpanel. Usually, when you have an area that does not lend itself to having the standard edging trim you need to cut away the offending section and slide the laminate underneath. This article has been viewed 616,245 times. Youll also need the nosing that goes with your laminate product. Even if the stairs were not covered in carpeting, you can prepare them by removing any old paint or adhesive and repairing any loose or creaking steps by nailing them securely in place. That means youll have to make lengthwise cuts of your laminate planks to fit the risers and treads. jobs, Rough surfaces like lumber and plywood are the best choices for laminate staircases because they ensure that the material sticks properly. Finally, once youve finished installing your laminate on the entire staircase, allow it to cure overnight and avoid walking on it for approximately 12 hours. Extra Tip: Before you begin putting your flooring, make sure that your sub-floor is as level as possible. Well, if no, then we certainly do! You can put laminate on stairs, and most laminate manufacturers provide nosing pieces that fit onto the front of the tread. References. This will reduce the likelihood of splitting the laminate boards. Also, hardwood nosing that is around 80 are upwards of $80, while laminate nose pieces are closer to $40 for the same length. That way, if you make any mistakes, you wont repeat them on any of the succeeding stairs. Most types of laminate flooring planks are designed to snap together in place, making installation a breeze. Then, I switched careers into accounting, so my wife and I began buying, renovating, and re-selling homes on the side. Glue them together, tongue to groove, to ensure that they are secure during the fitting process. Thickness is also an option for buyers. Laminate can be as thin as 3 and be as thick as 7 or greater. Youll also want to consider renting or buying a laminate floor cutter. Once you have a bare staircase, make sure to remove all paint and glue from the surface and hammer any protruding nails back into place. Then, level the putty using a moist piece of cloth, before leaving it to cure. Last but not least, trim the nosing to the same length as the tread and riser sections. Chip away any excess debris and even sand down wood stair treads to provide a perfectly smooth surface for the laminate to be applied to. Boolean algebra of the lattice of subspaces of a vector space? is there such a thing as "right to be heard"? I'm not really sure what that picture is of, as it's too dark for me to make out what you're trying to show. Mark the exact dimensions on the cardboard. In this aspect, laminate flooring requires significantly less time, patience, and effort than other types of flooring. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Ideally, the adhesive should be Liquid Nails or a construction-type glue that can be applied with a glue gun. If you dont have one, you can simply use 2 finishing nails also called 6d nails around the edges. In terms of breadth, the laminate stair treads dont have to fit the front edge, as youll cover that space up with the nosing strips. What would be the best solutions to hide these two gaps? Now youll transfer these two parts to a tread youve already cut. Stair treads- cover the horizontal part of the stair steps. (Easy Guide), How to Take Out Linoleum or Vinyl Flooring? Assuming your stairs are of uniform size, cut your treads first. However, laminate flooring planks also have some drawbacks, such as poor noise dampening capabilities and the inability to be refurbished. Ive been working with floors for over 12 years. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Sometimes they can be wiggled enough to dislodge them but be careful because they can break off in their hole and then you are out of luck. It is inexpensive, long-lasting, and attractive when correctly fitted. Put nails or screws into the riser. Precise measurement is critical to making sure your stairs look great and fit properly. The next step in your installation process requires you to glue some of your laminate pieces together. Whats more, laminate flooring features a design layer that can be made to mimic the look of different types of flooring. Not a good idea if youre constantly going up and down the stairs, or if you have small children in the house! Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. God bless you for taking the time to. The flooring is robust, though not as durable as a hardwood floor, which is understandable. When it comes to the riser pieces, the process is very similar just make sure theyre exactly aligned with their corresponding tread piece and trim as necessary. After cutting each tread number it and set it There are three parts that you will need to cut from your laminate, and it is best if you prepare them ahead of time before you begin installing the flooring: Riser parts are pieces that support a structure (the front piece on the vertical side of the step), Nosing for the stairwell (the corner piece which will create an overhang). Thats because stairways are high-traffic areas, and laminate boasts decent durability to withstand wear and tear. In addition, laminate flooring can be high-gloss and very slippery - which may be a concern if you have young children in the house. It will You will need to glue and screw (or nail) the laminate to the stair treads in order for it to be secure. Nose size depends on the manufacturer. Steps To Install Laminate Flooring At Top Of Stairs Choose Laminate Flooring Allow Laminate To Adapt to Room Temperature Remove Old Adhesive Cut WebFit the laminate first as the carpet will then cover the gap between the laminate and bottom step, which will create a nice neat finish. Remember to wipe away any excess glue. Laminate flooring can be installed on stairs, or anywhere else that you would install hardwood flooring. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Install-Laminate-Flooring-on-Stairs-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Laminate-Flooring-on-Stairs-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Install-Laminate-Flooring-on-Stairs-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid509147-v4-728px-Install-Laminate-Flooring-on-Stairs-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"