how to end laminate flooring at bottom of stairs

05272398. To minimize the risk of slipperiness, go for laminate flooring with a textured, matte finish. Ensure proper installation with the tapered end of the nosings forming the overhangs that protrude over the edge of the tread pieces. This will reduce the likelihood of splitting the laminate boards. By following the proper installation guidelines, you can easily undertake DIY laminate installation on your stairway. (Easy Guide), How to Take Out Linoleum or Vinyl Flooring? However, one of those will need a lengthwise cut to fit the tread and riser width. It will WebMeasure the length of the stair tread from side to side. A good tip is to mark each piece with a number as soon as you cut it to size, this way you will know which piece corresponds with each stair. Otherwise, use a circular saw and cut carefully, as you wont have much room for error. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. DIY how to tutorial projects and guides - Did you know we have a DIY Projects section? Existing flooring, paint, or glue should be removed. How much does laminate flooring cost per square foot? White laminate flooring is a popular choice for homeowners who want to achieve a modern and appealing look in their homes. 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. Measure the tread size exactly as outlined above. This can be tricky if they are glued or nailed into place. Cutting risers is just the same as cutting the treads cut them to width first and then to length. Measure the stair tread and cut the planks to fit. The average labor cost to install laminate flooring is $1.72 per square foot. Once you have your planks glued together, youll need to let them dry. When cutting thread pieces, make sure to cut on the groove side of the plank, and glue them together tongue-to-groove. Ideally, the adhesive should be Liquid Nails or a construction-type glue that can be applied with a glue gun. Each page also comes with pictures and a video to make completing those jobs even easier! Laminate is formed by a variety of chemical processes to form an incredibly durable solid that may be used as flooring, but it can also be utilized in a variety of other applications such as countertops, whiteboards, cabinets, and other furniture. He has 20 years of experience in construction, interior design and real estate development. Installing a single hardwood floor takes a significant amount of work and effort. Youll also need to acquire nose stripping in the color of your choice (well go over this in more detail later in this guide). We propose scratching the rear surface of the laminateflooring plank using a knife, screwdriver, or a PaperTiger scoring tool, which is often used to assist in the removal of wallpaper, in order to ensure a tighter hold by the adhesive to the back of the laminate-flooring plank. We do not specifically market to children under 13. Glue with high water content tends to seep into the pores of the material it is adhering to, minimizing the effectiveness of the bond. After installing underlay material, you can now start measuring and cutting out the laminate planks that youll use on your 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. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. It lacks carpet, but will demonstrate the basic idea. Finish off by driving a single screw or nail at the top of each of the nosing strips. Is it safe to publish research papers in cooperation with Russian academics? To acclimatize your laminate planks, let them sit on the staircase for at least 72 hours prior to installation. Lally Column vs Jack Post: Whats the Difference? Youll have to cut spindle holes out of each tread and then cut each tread into two. To cut the nose stripping, you should measure the length of the exposed thread, as well as the length of the riser and cut laminate pieces to fit, trimming the edges to fit the angle of the stairs, if necessary. While laminate planks have been known to work well on even floor surfaces, many wonder whether theyre great for stairway flooring as well. How to Install Laminate Flooring on Stairs. Check the manufacturers recommendations or call an installer for their thoughts. 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. To effectively transition laminate flooring to stairs, use laminate planks that match the color and texture of the laminate floor thats adjacent to the stairway. You have your expansion gap built in, you have multiple prongs hitting the floor to secure it, and you have nice curves on both sides. (Answer), Stone Look Vinyl Flooring (Detailed Guide), How to Fix Gaps in Laminate Flooring? Thats because youll be using laminate nosing strips to establish your own overhangs later on. 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. Be sure to not only glue but also to screw the entire nose into the floor. To install laminate flooring on steps, youll need to glue a couple of pieces of your flooring together. Nose size depends on the manufacturer. To prevent this issue, you can install laminate flooring on stairs without stair nosings. Then, leave the new laminate staircase unused overnight. Once youve scored your laminate on the back, apply the adhesive in a serpentine pattern. I've been a flooring contractor for over 12 years. Despite these functionalities, some homeowners remain skeptical of the safety of stair noses. If you are putting your laminate stairs near an exterior door, then chances are water will eventually be carried in by wet feet or shoes. Steps To Install Laminate Flooring At Top Of Stairs Choose Laminate Flooring Allow Laminate To Adapt to Room Temperature Remove Old Adhesive Cut Despite the fact that there are no hard and fast rules for doing so, if you understand the fundamental concepts behind why it matters, you will more than likely create a floor that is aesthetically beautiful, will, Read More How to Stagger Laminate Flooring? 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. The first step in installing laminate flooring is to verify that your staircase has been properly prepared and is ready to be used. Use a utility knife to cut out the spindle holes go slowly because precision is critical here. Starting with the removal of any old flooring from your stairs, as well as any existing underlay, if you havent already done so. As mentioned above, start at the top of the steps and move downward. What you see is a high-resolution photo of the real wood grain. You can rent one, which is a cost, or you can simply use a miter saw, which most people do have. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? If you do decide to go with nailing, use a pneumatic (automatic) nailer. 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. The length of your tread pieces will be determined by the length of your laminate plank, which should be as snug as possible on either side of the step when laid across the top of the step. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. When installing the tread, the two tread sections should fit snugly around the spindles. Laminate floors provide many upsides when installed on stairs. This is the one time where you a little does not go a long way. Laminate flooring is more than just a surface covering for a room. It has a lower moisture content than typical wood glue, which will ensure that the bond is stronger and wont seep into the laminate. By far, the easiest way is to remove your stair spindles. Would the fitting above be the best option also? 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. Why don't we use the 7805 for car phone chargers? Screws will hold better than nails, but will also require more wood filler. Theyre easy to install, clean, and maintain. To do this, you can either cut two planks into even pieces, so that their combined width covers the thread, or you can use a full plank and cut a smaller strip to fill in the extra space. To profile it around the stairs i have a small plastic WebThe best way to finish it off is to cut the bottom riser a little short where it meets the floor. Install the Laminate Tread and Riser Boards, How to transition laminate flooring to stairs, Can you install Laminate Flooring without Stair Nose, How to install Laminate Flooring without Stair Nose, Cost of installation of laminate flooring on stairs. The flooring manufactures say 10mm/12mm gap to cover themselves i think incase something does expand. Once youve chosen the appropriate style and feel, the next step is to allow your flooring to become acclimated to its new surroundings. Laminate costs anywhere from $0.50 to $3 per square foot. A tight bond is critical for laminate on steps. This is another aspect to consider when purchasing laminate for stairs. We have teamed up with the industries best to help you find a trustworthy tradesman local to you! AC-5 may be more difficult to find, as these products are typically only used in commercial applications. Stair treads- cover the horizontal part of the stair steps. I'm a DIY nut, and the founder and chief editor here at Weekend Builds. You are also going to nail or screw your treads and risers to your subfloor. 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. Leave the same gap that you have everywhere else. The first step in installing laminate flooring is determining which type is the most appropriate. 3. Should we fit carpet first or laminate the bottom level first? The problem is that the bottom step of the stairs is curved at the corner. % of people told us that this article helped them. Remove any existing flooring or trim from the stairs and check that the subfloor is in good condition and that the stairs are level. Laminate installation on staircases is a relatively simple process that you can undertake as a DIY project. If you live in an old house or you think your stairs might not be uniform, then youll want to measure each tread individually to get an exact cut. Then, level the putty using a moist piece of cloth, before leaving it to cure. Stair nosing strips- form the corner pieces at the front edge of the treads. Cut your laminate piece along that line using a miter saw a fine toothed blade works wonders here. 2). Local construction codes take precedence over anything we say to our consumers, so always abide by the rules. If you want to secure the riser piece further, you can use a nail gun to nail the very top of the plank in place, as the nails will be concealed by the thread edge. In terms of quantity, you should order about 10% more flooring than you actually need in order to cover the square footage of stairs. What does 'They're at four. Using stairs that are 36 wide, youll need 3 nose pieces per a 10 step flight of stairs. These typically cost $12.50-$13.75 per square foot. Accidents on the stairwell can be quite dangerous. Please keep in mind that, if you are not sure in your capacity to self-install, it is always advisable to seek the assistance of a professional. Sitemap It is, Read More White Laminate Flooring (Detailed Answer)Continue, How to Repair Laminate Flooring Water Damage [6 Methods], What is Laminate Flooring made of? Create a replica tread using cardboard. Dont only think about how it will look; think about how it will function as well. You will also need to make sure each of the steps is level, so the laminate boards will sit properly. 3). Hope that helps. When installing laminate flooring on stairs, remember to take your time since the process differs greatly compared to installing laminate on floors. What is Laminate Flooring made of? by Joiner_Mike Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:14 pm. Make sure every laminate plank has a few nails or screws in it, on either side. Already I can see two areas which are not as straightforward as the rest of the area. 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. To effectively install laminate flooring on stairs without stair nosings, you need to ensure the laminate boards used as treads and risers are wide enough to cover the entire width of the horizontal and vertical parts of the stair steps. If you are sure your stairs are of uniform width and length down, you can go ahead and make all your cuts ahead of time. Otherwise, use a finish hand saw and cut carefully. After that, give your steps a good brushing to ensure that they have a clean and even surface to work on. When something is installed incorrectly, it might create a risky condition that has the potential to end in a major accident. Continue with two more cuts with the hand saw along the side of the cut-out square until you reach the wall's bottom plate. To learn how to choose the right laminate flooring for your stairs, read on! While you will more than likely find that they are, take the extra 5 minutes to measure each separately. Install should look just like picture. Make sure you select the proper underlay for your laminate flooring before attaching it to your stairwell in preparation for installing your flooring. However, laminate flooring planks also have some drawbacks, such as poor noise dampening capabilities and the inability to be refurbished. If they are uneven, you can use a belt sander to level them out, or simply use a scraper to get rid of any debris or high spots. When you take into consideration the installation method, you will find that it is also simple to set up. Remember, laminate on stairs does not use underlayment, so you can strike that cost from your budget for this project. Due to the shape of nosing strips, youll want to apply the adhesive to the exposed subfloor at the front end of the laminate stair treads, not directly to the nosings. To install laminate flooring on stairs, start by removing the overhang, or the underside of the stairs, with a jigsaw. Stairs start at 36 wide. The tread sections should be as close to one another as possible from left to right, thus getting your measurements perfect is crucial. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 616,245 times. Therefore, if your tread measures 11 and the thickness of your laminate is , then your tread will be 11 . Dont be shy with your construction adhesive and consider using nails or screws to provide additional adhesion for your laminate treads, risers, and nosing. You need to make sure that they will sit snugly on top of the tread piece, and are level with the top of the riser. Second, while laminate manufacturers do provide a special stair nosing accessory, they dont make special pieces to fit the standard tread or riser lengths of stairs. 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. A more extreme solution would be to use a leveling compound, which is not easy to work with on stairs. Leave your tread slightly short, so you can fit your stair nosing piece onto the front. It only takes a minute to sign up. TrafficMasters laminate flooring comes in two attractive finishes. 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. If you are using laminate, you should avoid nailing through it because this can cause the finish on the surface to be damaged. Remove it first before proceeding with the installation of your laminate and custom nosing (well get to that later). Web1. Then, start laying your laminate by applying three beads of good quality wood glue to the subfloor and then installing the tread pieces. These transparent, plastic covers provide additional grip on the staircase without concealing the beauty of the laminate planks underneath them. In this aspect, laminate flooring requires significantly less time, patience, and effort than other types of flooring. 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. When I laid my laminate floor, the sto If you want to install laminate flooring on stairs, youll need to glue a few pieces of your floor together first. Most laminate floorboards arent long enough to cover the span of the stairs from left to right. (Complete Answer)Continue, When installing a new laminate floor, it is best to stagger the laminate boards as much as possible. Alternatively, you could cover the overhang with plywood to make it level. 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. Hardwood treads can cost anywhere from $20 to $30 or more. Next you will need to cut the riser pieces to length. Grab your copy now for all the DIY help you need right at your finger tips! Leave a small amount of space between each tread so that you can place your stair nosing piece onto the front. If you do the carpet first then a solution needs to The processes to create plastic versus laminate are completely different. You may use water or acetone for this. This will improve the adhesion between the laminate and subfloor. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). 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. Install Laminate Nosing as per Manufacturer Recommendations, Advanced Tips for Installing Laminate on Stairs, How to Install Laminate Flooring on Stairs with a Railing, Best Glue for Laminate Flooring on Stairs. Nearly all laminate flooring comes in 48 lengths. 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. Thats because stairways are high-traffic areas, and laminate boasts decent durability to withstand wear and tear. Some of the tools and supplies needed for the project include laminate planks, stair nose stripping, heavy-duty construction adhesive, pliers, a nail gun, a pry bar, a hammer, and a jigsaw. In addition, laminate flooring can be high-gloss and very slippery - which may be a concern if you have young children in the house. Some nosing will allow you to screw from underneath, concealing the screw hole. 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