Also included is the stair nosing (or trim), which is a decorative piece that drapes over the front of the step. Cut it so it touches the carpet and hides the gap at the bottom. How to Install Laminate Flooring on Open Stairs - SFGATE Stair treads- cover the horizontal part of the stair steps. How to Remove Laminate Flooring | Budget Dumpster - The Fill Mitchell Newman is the Principal at Habitar Design and its sister company Stratagem Construction in Chicago, Illinois. New blog post from our CEO Prashanth: Community is the future of AI, Improving the copy in the close modal and post notices - 2023 edition. For example, in older homes, it is fairly uncommon for hardwood step treads to be worn down halfway down the treads. Laminate is a form of melamine mixed with formaldehyde. 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. WebThe molding sits flat and level on one side with your laminate flooring and closely hugs the first stair or step on the other side, rounding off the edge of the stair and adding a unique finishing touch to your completed laminate flooring project. If your laminate doesnt sit flush to your stair walls, youll notice it every time you use the stairs. (Complete Answer)Continue, When installing a new laminate floor, it is best to stagger the laminate boards as much as possible. For some, thats enough cause for concern about tripping hazards. Install should look just like picture. This helps to prevent future warping problems caused by the swelling and shrinking of the laminate. Apply premium-quality wood glue to the back of the tread board before laying down the board to the horizontal part of the step and pressing it into position. 3. There have been no conclusive studies to support this; nonetheless, even if you are cutting laminate, you should wear a face mask and goggles if your cutting tool is spitting a lot of dust while you are working. A more extreme solution would be to use a leveling compound, which is not easy to work with on stairs. You should measure and cut out the stair noses to the length of the laminate treads and risers. Remove the Subfloor From Under the Wall If your subfloor is heavily rotted, you may be able to pull back on the remaining section of the subfloor and remove it by hand. Remember, laminate on stairs does not use underlayment, so you can strike that cost from your budget for this project. What some people are unaware of is that laminate flooring may be installed on stairwells as well. I believe that floors are the best way to get the most out of your home, whether it comes to price, enjoyment, or longevity. Then use a small flathead screwdriver or chisel to remove the small cuts of material. Alternatively, you can use a finish saw and make many small, parallel cuts. Remember to cut off the tongue end of the laminate risers. Also, hardwood nosing that is around 80 are upwards of $80, while laminate nose pieces are closer to $40 for the same length. Leave your tread slightly short, so you can fit your stair nosing piece onto the front. Installing a single hardwood floor takes a significant amount of work and effort. Remove the carpeting. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Laminate flooring can be installed on stairs, or anywhere else that you would install hardwood flooring. is there laminate trim for next to stairs? You should also screw down each plank, in addition to gluing them down, to properly secure them in the absence of stair nosings. The model that I had used a track that you screwed down to the floor, flush against the wall, then you clipped in the cover from the top over the floor. The stair nose overlaps the laminate tread, hold a piece of the riser on the front of the stair, use a piece of stair nose and make a mark so you know where to stop the laminate stair tread. It only takes a minute to sign up. There are so many things to like about laminate flooring. 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. "This was very helpful, and you made it look easy to do. Thats because youll be using laminate nosing strips to establish your own overhangs later on. It is inexpensive, long-lasting, and attractive when correctly fitted. Glue alone is not sufficient; once the glue is in place, we recommend drilling pilot holes and inserting screws, followed by the application of filler to conceal the screws. A laminate cutter works well, but that requires you to have a laminate cutter which most people dont own. Then, cut the adjoined planks down to the span of the stairs from left to right. Installing Laminate flooring at bottom of the stairs - DIY Doctor Laminating hallway with opposing doorways - how to tackle the last piece/row having undercut the architrave & door frames? Then, start laying your laminate by applying three beads of good quality wood glue to the subfloor and then installing the tread pieces. However, one of those will need a lengthwise cut to fit the tread and riser width. It is recommended that you leave your flooring in this condition for at least 72 hours before placing it. Starting with the removal of any old flooring from your stairs, as well as any existing underlay, if you havent already done so. If it appears as though there is sufficient coverage of adhesive on both the laminate plank and the step, you know youve glued it correctly. 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. Youll then fit them together on the tread and hope they fit snugly enough around the spindles to look like its still one tread. Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals, DIY Doctor Ltd, The Workshop, Newbury Works, Somerset, BA3 5RX, Company Number: 05863375 | VAT Number: 811134774, Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Group, General Building, Self Build and Renovation, Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety, Installing Laminate flooring at bottom of the stairs. To acclimatize your laminate planks, let them sit on the staircase for at least 72 hours prior to installation. To cover the entire step with a single laminate board, cut a second plank to size and glue it tongue-to-groove next to the first plank, leaving enough space for the nosing to be seen between them. Hardwood treads can cost anywhere from $20 to $30 or more. In this aspect, laminate flooring requires significantly less time, patience, and effort than other types of flooring. These make precise cuts in your laminate using a handsaw or circular saw can result in planks that are not completely flush with the wall or another plank. How can I remove laminate flooring from an oddly shaped hallway without destroying it? Also, keep in mind that your stairs will suffer tons of wear and tear. These include tread pieces, riser pieces, and stair nosings. The following are some straightforward instructions for placing laminate on stairwells. Laminate flooring is designed to look like wood, but the similarities between the two materials end there. This involves removing any existing flooring, underlayment, paint, and adhesive. Once you have your planks glued together, youll need to let them dry. However, laminate flooring planks also have some drawbacks, such as poor noise dampening capabilities and the inability to be refurbished. When something is installed incorrectly, it might create a risky condition that has the potential to end in a major accident. Web1st Choice: switch the floor to solid hardwood ORjust find a bilevel reducerartistic finishes makes one to bridge 3/4 to 3/8you may just have to stain and poly it yourself if they dont make one to match the laminate you havealso youll need to find a dealer who sells their stuffI dont think they sell straight to consumer. Many of you will discover that your stairwell has an overhanging section. 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. That photo is protected by a clear aluminum oxide finish, which maintains the look of the laminate while providing additional protection. This can be tricky if they are glued or nailed into place. Well, if no, then we certainly do! White flooring will blend in seamlessly with existing house furnishings in any room. You should also specify that you want matching nose stripping when choosing your laminate, as many manufacturers do not have matching nose stripping for all of their flooring. Glue enough planks of laminate together so that it fits the width of your tread. Then, I switched careers into accounting, so my wife and I began buying, renovating, and re-selling homes on the side. The tread sections should be as close to one another as possible from left to right, thus getting your measurements perfect is crucial. Typically, stair noses dont lay flush with the stair treads, sometimes rising more than 30mm above the height of the stair treads. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Spindles usually are held in place via round plug-like holes on the top and bottom. This will reduce the likelihood of splitting the laminate boards. Using wood adhesive, attach your tread to the rear of the first step, making sure that the tongue of the tread faces outwards and that it is snugly against the back of the step. The formaldehyde included in the laminate has raised concerns that it may have long-term health consequences. They are around 80 long, so depending on how many steps you have, you may be able to get away with only buying a couple. Nosings usually overlap the width of the treads to create an overhang. It may also void your warranty. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. If you already have flooring on your stairs, you should remove it as well as any underlayment. Laminate flooring is fairly easy to clean. Laminate Thank you very much. Thus, you may have to attach two laminate boards together by applying adhesive to the tongues and grooves before locking them in position. Starting near the top of the stairs, use pliers to pull up the carpet from a corner, freeing it from the tack strip or staples that hold it in place. A tread and riser are about a total of 5 square feet. Tape your carpet and edge of laminate, lots of construction adhesive, and evenly distribute weights on the transition for 12 hours. That way, if you make any mistakes, you wont repeat them on any of the succeeding stairs.