If you want to install laminate flooring on your stairs I would recommend that you do a lot of research and find the information you will need to do it correctly. Installing laminate flooring on stairs can be tedious and time consuming and is a lot different than installing laminate flooring on a floor.
Step 1 Remove Carpet and Tackstrip Most often you will have carpet on your stairs, and you need to remove it first. It can have tack strip and a lot of staples. Be careful pulling the carpet off because the staples are very sharp. Its best to where gloves. Use a hammer and pry bar to remove the tackstrip. Step 2 Remove the Over Hang, if Needed If you have an over hang you can either remove it or fill in the space under it so the laminate flooring can be installed.
When purchasing your laminate flooring you will need to purchase stair nose moldings also to have an over hang with the laminate. There are a few different ways to. Using saws such as a sawzall, Skil saw or even a jig saw can work. Step 3 Cutting Laminate Stair Treads In most cases one laminate plank will not cover the whole tread. It is better to cut two planks the same size to fit the tread rather than using a whole plank and a small strip. The other thing to consider is, the sides of the stair case may be at a slight angle. If this is the case the tread will need to be cut at this angle so you don't have unsightly gaps.
When getting the exact measurement across the width of the stair is important. Step 4 Cutting The Stair Risers Cutting the risers are like cutting the treads, the difference is the riser is vertical. In the case a white painted riser is being installed. You can also use the same flooring for the riser as you use for the tread.
The riser may not be square to the wall on the sides so you may need to cut them at a slight angle to fit even with the sides. You can use a simple angle finder and transfer the angle to the riser. After to fit side to side, you will need to scribe the top of the riser so it is flush with the surface the new tread will be installed on. Step 5 Cutting the Stair Nose is just a matter of cutting it to fit snug on each end, and cut the ends to follow the angle of the wall if needed. As shown in the photo you can see how the stair nose needs to rest on the riser which should be cut flush with the surface. Step 6 Attaching all the Stair Parts I use wood glue on the treads with a notched trowel.
Don't glue all the way to the front edge as this is where the stair nose will be attached with a different type of glue. I use a heavy duty construction adhesive to glue the stair nose with. I also nail into the stair nose three or four nails across, not too close to the edges. Use a matching putty to fill in the nail holes. Here is the end result a nice looking stair. Tips.
As you cut each part of a stair, mark the part and the stair it will be attached to. Use a nail gun and nail where ever possible so the nails are hid. It is better to nail and glue the stair nose to insure it is secure.
Taking your time is going to give you better results. Always use proper protection when operating power tools.
How To Install Pergo Flooring Plank
I have a 1977 split-level home and am looking to install laminate on the stairs and eventually the living/dining/kitchen areas (however the kitchen will be a mock-tile laminate the rest will be mock-wood). I am planning to make my own custom painted risers using poplar.
Is there anything I need to consider before installing the poplar risers with a laminate run (and stair nosing, of course)? I noticed others suggesting using the laminate as the rise and run, setting it all in place with contruction adhesive.
Is the process the same with my own custom riser? Will I need to also install any quarter rounds to give it a finished look?
Pergo
Does each run get the underlayment? Thanks in advance. TchrMommy, As a past sales associate for both Home Depot and Lowe's in the flooring department it has always amazed me that someone would WANT to put laminate flooring on a set of stairs. Unless you are using a nosing that clicks into the laminate (some do but $$$)the bullnosing fits up over the flooring. You are essentially making a trip hazard on each and every step. I hope no one visiting your home has a three year old that falls down the stairs because they tripped on the bullnosing going downstairs. Or an elderly person.
I have always recommended solid oak treads on stairs. They are both solid, beautiful, safe and probably less expensive than the laminate once you figure in what they charge for laminate bullnose. You can do what you want of course but could you please explain the reasoning behind putting laminate flooring on stairs. Franklyn http://www.WoodFloorist.com.
Thanks again for the advice on how to install Pergo on stairs and the things to watch for. I have run into a new problem in this project that I need advice on. I ripped the existing carpet back on these stairs to see what was underneath and realized that the stairs were constructed with an overhang. The subfloor tread (2x8 lumber) jets out from the subfloor riser somewhere between 3/4' and 1'.
Because the tread is a 2x, putting the Pergo bullnosing over this will look horrible. Should I shore up the riser with 1x before installing my Poplar vaneer riser? If so, should I use construction adhesive or nails, or a combination of both. Will I lose step space in doing so or will the Pergo bullnose compensate for the loss? My next door neighbor was telling me how he redid the whole subfloor construction of his stairs when he wanted to lay down hardwood. I do not want to do this.:/ This message has been edited by TchrMommy (edited August 09, 2003).
You say you use to work at these places. Well the guy at Lowe's told me to use the pergo on the steps. And I was concerned about the over lap of the bullnose being a triping hazard. But since Lowe's talked me into it, I have been trying to figure out how. One piece does not fit so one needs to cut two boards for each tread and each riser needs to be cut and then the bull nose just does not seems to fit right.
Anyway to get Lowe's to take the boxes that can't be used and bull nose back? I think it is hazardous and they should not have recomended it. I have like 9 boxes to do the steps. Good sale for the salesmen.