QA

Question: How To Install Stair Treads And Risers

Do you install stair treads or risers first?

When installing stairs, install the riser first, and then the tread. Start at the bottom of the stairs and work your way up, alternating risers and treads. The back of each tread will sit flush against the riser.

Where on the stairs do you start when installing risers and treads?

Some contractors prefer installing the riser first, then installing the tread against the riser, fastening the riser to back edge of the tread with screws (Diagram A). Others prefer to place the tread first and place the riser on top of the tread, for additional support (Diagram B).

Should you nail or screw stair treads?

Don’t fasten treads and or risers with only nails or staples. The adhesive is much more important than the fasteners. There will be times when fastening may be limited, so a good adhesive is critical. Rely on the front edge of the riser for your level surface.

How far should a tread overhang the riser?

Stairs must have an overhang between 3/4″ to 1-1/4” to increase the depth of the step, making it better for descent while maintaining a clear 10-inch going for the ascent. Treads that are 11-inches deep or greater do not require an overhang.

How do you attach stair treads?

Measure each tread and cut it to size then install it using 2-1/4″ trim screws. installing the treads. Install the Treads. fill in screw holes with wood putty. Fill Screw Holes. mark stair railing for angled cut. Cut Railing to Length. pre drill landing and treads for balusters. attach rail fasteners into newel posts.

Can you just glue stair treads down?

NO!!! As someone who’s done a lot of hardwood flooring, as well as stairs, adhesives are not enough to hold a stair tread down. Treads should be attached with a combination of adhesive and nails. Nail length being a minimum of twice the thickness of your tread and of 16 gauge or larger.

How much overhang should there be on a stair tread?

The nosing on treads, believe it or not, has a code minimum and maximum of how far the nosing projects over the next stair. Nosings are required to overhang a minimum of ¾-in. to a maximum of 1-¼-in. Also the maximum nosing radius cannot exceed 9/16 of an inch.

Do risers go behind or on top of threads?

4 Answers. The riser is installed first for the reason that you want a nice tight fit along the top of the riser to the tread above it. There is always the possibility that there is a small variation in the width of the riser boards or the height of the notches cut in the stair jacks.

Where do you nail stair treads?

Drill three pilot holes for nails through the top of the tread at each stringer. Space the innermost and outermost pilot holes 1 1/2-inch from the respective edges of the tread. Drill the center pilot holes midway between the front and back edges of the tread.

Can I use Liquid Nails for stair treads?

We no longer recommend using Liquid Nails® brand products. Because Liquid Nails’ products are labeled very similarly and packaging can vary between location and retailer, we strongly discourage the use of any other brand of adhesive, including Liquid Nails, for your stair installation.

What screws to use on stair treads?

Use screws that are between 2 and 4 inches long. Deck screws are available in this size range, and are used for this purpose on deck stairs. Drilling pilot holes will help prevent splitting the wood of the stringers.

Can I use 2×12 for stair treads?

Stair treads may be made of a single 2×12, but are often made of two decking boards or 2x6s. A stringer is a wide board, usually a 2×12, that runs at an angle from the landing pad to the deck framing and supports the treads. The stair treads should be at least 36 inches wide.

Why is nosing required on stairs?

Nosing provides a larger surface area to step on, which makes walking up and down much easier. Stair nosing helps protect the most exposed areas of the stair tread from damage and general wear. In the case of wooden or concrete stairs, this is especially important as the tread may chip or break if heavily used.

What is code for stair height?

(1) The rise of every step in a stairway shall be not less than 4 inches nor greater than 7 1/2 inches. (2) The run shall not be less than 10 inches as measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the furthermost projection of adjacent treads.

Is construction adhesive enough for stair treads?

The construction adhesive should hold the treads nicely. Make sure you allow enough to hold the treads in place. 2500# psi adhesive should be good enough.

Can I use 18 gauge nails for stair treads?

There are so many different types of nails out there, but when installing your treads and risers you will want to go with the Finish Nails. Using a 16 or 18 gauge finish nail will sure get the job done and the nail hole will barely be noticeable!Aug 3, 2012.

How do you put Bullnose on stairs?

There are two ways to add a bullnose effect to stair treads or steps: routing or molding. The routed edge is the only option for round steps. The molding option includes half-round molding or stair-nose molding on the front of the step. They attach to the front of the step with glue and nails.

How long should stair treads be?

Staircase Tread (Run) Depth: 10 to 11 Inches, Minimum The tread depth is the distance from the front edge, or nosing (a tread projection that overhangs the riser below), of one step to the front edge or nose of the next step, measured horizontally. This distance must be at least 10 inches.

What is the maximum depth of a stair tread?

The tread depth code for residential stairs should be no less than 10 inches with nosing, no less than 11 inches without nosing, and maximum tread depth variation should also be less than 3/8 of an inch.