how to end laminate flooring at bottom of stairs how to end laminate flooring at bottom of stairs

Use a utility knife to cut out the spindle holes go slowly because precision is critical here. I'm assuming your stairs are carpeted - won't the carpet cover the gap? PVA type II glue is ideal. Precise measurement is critical to making sure your stairs look great and fit properly. He has 20 years of experience in construction, interior design and real estate development. 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. Youll have to cut spindle holes out of each tread and then cut each tread into two. "This was very helpful, and you made it look easy to do. As you move down your steps, make sure your risers are not protruding up above the tread subfloor. Leave the same gap that you have everywhere else. When it comes to laminate flooring, you can do most of the work yourself, but if you arent confident in your carpentry abilities, you may want to consider hiring a professional to perform the job. Remove any existing flooring or trim from the stairs and check that the subfloor is in good condition and that the stairs are level. the four laminate flooring layers are held together by a high-density fibreboard (HDF) core. How to Install Laminate Flooring on Stairs. Each page also comes with pictures and a video to make completing those jobs even easier! Now you need to measure the exact tread and riser length of your steps. 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. The rough surface of wood, whether plywood or lumber, will ensure your laminate adheres properly. MIP Model with relaxed integer constraints takes longer to solve than normal model, why? This is a durability rating applied to all laminate products. Ive been working with floors for over 12 years. Laminate flooring is a versatile alternative to other floor types since it can mimic their look while also offering significant strength. This allows enough time for the laminate planks to settle and for the adhesive to set. Regards, Phil, Harlow Member since 26 Apr 2010 The second area is the gap between the laminate and the PVC door, which has a PVC skirting board type thing. I've been a flooring contractor for over 12 years. Ideally, the adhesive should be Liquid Nails or a construction-type glue that can be applied with a glue gun. You can easily and effectively install laminate floorboards on stairs, with or without nose stripping. Why don't we use the 7805 for car phone chargers? There is a thick resin covering and protective outer layer for maximum toughness and lifespan. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Laminate is a form of melamine mixed with formaldehyde. The image you see is a high-resolution photograph of the actual wood grain. No definitive studies have proven this to be the case; although you are cutting laminate, you should wear a face mask and goggles if your cutting tool is spitting lots of dust. If you do the carpet first then a solution needs to Regardless of the method of installation, be aware that the nosing of your laminate stairs will endure, by far, the most abuse. Glue with high water content tends to seep into the pores of the material it is adhering to, minimizing the effectiveness of the bond. You can rent one, which is a cost, or you can simply use a miter saw, which most people do have. We have teamed up with the industries best to help you find a trustworthy tradesman local to you! I have a cordless finishing nailer that leaves a very small indentation in the planks. 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. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. This is necessary as you may need to cut a number of boards to fill in extra spaces. How to lay laminate flooring on stairs Prep the Stairway Install Underlayment Cut the Laminate Planks to Size Install the Laminate Tread and Riser Theyre easy to install, clean, and maintain. If you do decide to go with nailing, use a pneumatic (automatic) nailer. Installing Laminate Flooring Around Doors and Next to Tiles - How to Overcome Height Difference? I use a fine-toothed blade for finishing cuts, which ensures a smooth cut without any tear-out. Most types of laminate flooring planks are designed to snap together in place, making installation a breeze. A laminate stair nose piece may be your greatest cost during your stair install. Last Updated: September 14, 2021 To acclimatize your laminate planks, let them sit on the staircase for at least 72 hours prior to installation. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. The next step in your installation process requires you to glue some of your laminate pieces together. 100% positive 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. Some nosing will allow you to screw from underneath, concealing the screw hole. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We're a team of veteran home improvement professionals looking to pass along our knowledge. It has a lower moisture content than typical wood glue, which will ensure that the bond is stronger and wont seep into the laminate. Despite these functionalities, some homeowners remain skeptical of the safety of stair noses. Is it safe to publish research papers in cooperation with Russian academics? Well go through how to install laminate flooring on stairs in the following section so that you can match your stairs to the rest of your flooring. If you want to install laminate flooring on stairs, youll need to glue a few pieces of your floor together first. Once the piece has dried, you can cut it to size to fit your tread and riser. Measure the stair tread and cut the planks to fit. Always glue laminate on the tongue and not the groove. 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. Boolean algebra of the lattice of subspaces of a vector space? I really like that system in your picture. If the edges of the plank are not perfectly aligned with the edges of the riser, you can trim them to fit. Starting from the top of the staircase, lay down your first tread piece. It should be noted that laminate flooring is not plastic. The primary advantage of laminate over hardwood treads and risers is cost. Grab your copy now for all the DIY help you need right at your finger tips! This can be tricky if they are glued or nailed into place. If the laminate flooring youre removing was glued to a concrete subfloor, there will likely be a lot of adhesive residue Order your laminate flooring. Placing laminate on your stairwell is not quite as straightforward as installing it on your floors or in your living room. WebMeasure the length of the stair tread from side to side. Otherwise, use a finish hand saw and cut carefully. The first step to installing laminate floor planks on stairs is to prep the staircase. 301 165K views 4 years ago Floor and Stair This How To Do Transition From Laminate Floor To Stairs or Threshold Between Laminate Floor To Stairs Show Do the same on the vertical part of the step using the riser pieces. This is the best image I could find. Put nails or screws into the riser. 1. Also included is the stair nosing (or trim), which is a decorative piece that drapes over the front of the step. Glue it all to the subfloor with construction adhesive. However, with no stair nose stripping in place, youll have to ensure that the laminate treads and risers cover the entire breadth of the vertical and horizontal sections of the stair steps. Over the last decennium, engineered wood flooring has devised by leaps and bounds, doing it extra affordable than ever prior since homeowners to put hardwood underfoot. Allow the vinyl planks and stair nosing to acclimate to the space for at least 3 days. Existing flooring, paint, or glue should be removed. The tread sections should be as close to one another as possible from left to right, thus getting your measurements perfect is crucial. Meanwhile, if you prefer calling in the experts over DIY installation, youll spend about $10-$15 per square foot in installation costs. To profile it around the stairs i have a small plastic Just checking the best way around to do this to get the best finish. Whats more, laminate flooring features a design layer that can be made to mimic the look of different types of flooring. Scrape or Sand Off Leftover Adhesive. Because laminate must be allowed to dry before it can be walked on, begin your installation at the top of the stairs and work your way down to avoid becoming trapped upstairs! In the case of carpets, a pair of pliers will be sufficient to remove this obstruction quickly. Start at the top of your steps and begin with the first riser. Do the tread, riser, and nosing all at the same time. 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. The flooring manufactures say 10mm/12mm gap to cover themselves i think incase something does expand. Laminate floors provide many upsides when installed on stairs. A tight bond is critical for laminate on steps. You do need to plan ahead, as you need a larger than typical gap, so that there's space for expansion, and the track to hold the cover. It is discussed in this article how to measure, cut, and install laminate flooring on stairs so that it looks just as wonderful on your stairs as the rest of your homes flooring. Can my creature spell be countered if I cast a split second spell after it? 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. The carpet is fitted into the expansion gap of the wood floor round so I always fit the laminate first. Understanding that laminate flooring is essentially a stew of chemicals solidified into a plank that you can walk on, on the other hand, is important when purchasing laminate flooring. Install your treads and risers. Finish off the job by applying filler putty into the screw holes in each stair nose. 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. How much does laminate flooring cost per square foot? To minimize the risk of slipperiness, go for laminate flooring with a textured, matte finish. Ubuntu won't accept my choice of password. Alternatively, you could cover the overhang with plywood to make it level. 05272398. While this might not sound appealing, I suggest measuring each tread and riser separately dont assume they are all of the uniform length. In terms of quantity, you should order about 10% more flooring than you actually need in order to cover the square footage of stairs. 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. You will also need to make sure each of the steps is level, so the laminate boards will sit properly. To prevent this issue, you can install laminate flooring on stairs without stair nosings. 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. Youll see products that have ratings featured prominently on the box that looks like AC-1. Laminate flooring is fairly easy to clean. 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. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. These include tread pieces, riser pieces, and stair nosings. When cutting thread pieces, make sure to cut on the groove side of the plank, and glue them together tongue-to-groove. I'm the head writer, Joe. Make sure to wear gloves while you are removing carpet, the staples can be very sharp and may cause injuries. While you will more than likely find that they are, take the extra 5 minutes to measure each separately. Which ability is most related to insanity: Wisdom, Charisma, Constitution, or Intelligence? If you have carpeting installed, use a pair of pliers to remove any nails holding the carpet in place. Otherwise, use a circular saw and cut carefully, as you wont have much room for error. The answer is yes! Sweep the stairs of any dust or dirt. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Youd be surprised how much value you can add to a home simply by adding new floors. WebSpread construction adhesive on the bottom faces and carpenter's glue on the corners of the front strip, then assemble the pieces and nail them with a nail gun and 1 1/2-inch Youll want the thickest possible product for your stairs. 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. 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. Hope that helps. WebSince the laminate installation involves gluing and nailing the material to the subfloor, the surface should provide optimal adhesion. The laminate stair nosing will fit against the tread edge and be glued and screwed to the subfloor. What is the symbol (which looks similar to an equals sign) called? 3). 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. Are there any canonical examples of the Prime Directive being broken that aren't shown on screen? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Screws will hold better than nails, but will also require more wood filler. Also, dont forget to buy stair nose stripping to cover the front edges of your stair treads. To effectively install laminate stairway flooring, follow the procedure detailed below. That means you would need either 3 or 4 boxes of laminate flooring for a staircase with ten steps. JavaScript is disabled. ", How to Install Laminate Flooring on Stairs, Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.theflooringlady.com/how-to-install-laminate-flooring-on-stairs/#tab-con-2, https://www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk/how-to-install-flooring-on-stairs, https://www.bestlaminate.com/help/installing-laminate-flooring-on-stairs/, https://swisskronousa.com/installation/installing-laminate-flooring-on-stairs/, https://www.quickstepstyle.com/diy-home-projects/easier-laminate-stair-installation/, Installare una Pavimentazione in Laminato sugli Scalini. It is possible to install laminate on stairs, and most laminate manufacturers include nosing pieces that are designed to fit onto the front of each tread. Both of these functions ensure enhanced user safety, minimizing the chances of users slipping and falling down the staircase. Thanks for taking the time to review this article if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about how you installed laminate flooring in your house then please drop me a line. Measure from the bottom to the top of the step and you have your riser width. rev2023.5.1.43405. It only takes a minute to sign up. Cut them to the same length as your treads and risers. Starting with the removal of any old flooring from your stairs, as well as any existing underlay, if you havent already done so. How can I hide the gap at the base of the stairs and the door, when installing laminate flooring? 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? 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. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Due to the fact that most laminate boards will not cover the entire step, you may need to cut from a second board. If your laminate doesnt sit flush to your stair walls, youll notice it every time you use the stairs. Some nosing will fit into the tongue of the tread and over the top of the riser. Take note too, that some brands sell prefabricated laminate stair treads with inbuilt stair nosings. Use wood glue to glue your laminate together. As a result, you should go for a rougher, more textured laminate to reduce the likelihood of slipping. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Once dry, you can cut that piece to fit your tread and the riser. Looking to install beautiful and durable laminate on your staircase floor? There are concerns that the formaldehyde in the laminate could cause long term health effects. A laminate cutter works well, but that requires you to have a laminate cutter which most people dont own. Fixing skirting and laminate gap for incomplete laminate flooring job, Installing Lino or Laminate Kitchen Flooring Question. Continue to work your way down the stairs filling in the holes and removing the tape on each piece of nosing. Install should look just like picture. If you dont have nail guns or a chop saw (which is another useful item to have on hand because it allows you to make very accurate cuts), you can rent them if you dont already have them. However, laminate flooring, like other floors, has its own set of installation distinctions. 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. Laminate is notoriously slippery, especially when wet. Thus, you may have to attach two laminate boards together by applying adhesive to the tongues and grooves before locking them in position. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. It is extremely tacky when handling, which means when you glue your laminate planks together, the initial bond is tight and you dont have to hold it. To do this, open the laminate boxes and arrange them in a lattice pattern on the floor. Engineered Floor Joists vs 2X10 Lumber: Which is Better? Many of you will discover that your stairwell has an overhanging section. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, 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. It is possible that your stairwell has an overhang from the existing nosing (the protruding edge of the stair). Best of luck with your next laminate stair project! Youll also want to consider renting or buying a laminate floor cutter. 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. 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. If you are using laminate, you should avoid nailing through it because this can cause the finish on the surface to be damaged. Extra Tip: Before you begin putting your flooring, make sure that your sub-floor is as level as possible. This article has been viewed 616,245 times. This will avoid future warping, expansion, and contraction of your laminate by allowing it to acclimatize. It will also allow you a comfortable margin for potential errors. White flooring will blend in seamlessly with existing house furnishings in any room. But bear in mind: Nailing may damage the face of the laminate. I started as a flooring contractor, primarily in materials selection. % of people told us that this article helped them. If you prefer to install smooth laminate with no surface texturing, its advisable to invest in clear stair covers. 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. Just be sure to nail the plywood in place before installing the laminate. The average labor cost to install laminate flooring is $1.72 per square foot. Alternatively, you can use a finish saw and make many small, parallel cuts. You should also screw down each plank, in addition to gluing them down, to properly secure them in the absence of stair nosings. The key to a successful laminate installation on steps or a regular floor depends on having a level subfloor. Once this is done, measure and cut out your pieces of laminate to make tread pieces, riser pieces and stair nosing. 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. What does 'They're at four. Finally, we recommend using textured laminate planks since there wont be any nose stripping to provide added traction. Laminate can be as thin as 3 and be as thick as 7 or greater. Thats because stairways are high-traffic areas, and laminate boasts decent durability to withstand wear and tear. Laminate flooring planks are increasingly becoming the go-to type of flooring for staircases. 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. Then, level the putty using a moist piece of cloth, before leaving it to cure. There are so many things to like about laminate flooring. As mentioned above, start at the top of the steps and move downward. I really like that system in your picture. If that is your option I would use it. You have your expansion gap built in, you have multiple prongs Tape your carpet and edge of laminate, lots of construction adhesive, and evenly distribute weights on the transition for 12 hours. The planks are easier 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. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. 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. If you dont have one, you can simply use 2 finishing nails also called 6d nails around the edges. The stairs are carpeted, so once I have left the expansion gap I am not sure how to finish this off? This will reduce the likelihood of splitting the laminate boards. Should i fit laminate flooring before carpet runner on stairs? Remove that amount from the length of your tread as well. Here are some easy-to-follow steps for installing laminate on stairs. Laminate flooring- cut to bottom of stairs? If the nosing has a groove, then it will sit in the tongue of the tread, so make sure you do not cut off the tongue of your tread when cutting it to width. Youll need three pieces of laminate for each step in this process: The tread piece, which rests on top of the step, is made of wood. 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. A hardwood riser is typically less, around $20. You can either cut off the overhang using a reciprocating or jigsaw, then use a chisel to ensure the surface is flush with the riser. Its important to note that most types of laminate planks have a smooth, slippery surface, thus posing the risk of slips and falls. By far, the easiest way is to remove your stair spindles. Help with transition between rooms using hardwood and laminate flooring. The best way to end laminate flooring at the bottom of the stairs is to install a stair nose trim that matches the laminate flooring. Dont be shy with your construction adhesive and consider using nails or screws to provide additional adhesion for your laminate treads, risers, and nosing. Enjoy! Therefore, if your tread measures 11 and the thickness of your laminate is , then your tread will be 11 . (Best Answer), White Laminate Flooring (Detailed Answer), How To Make Plywood Smooth and Shiny? Finally, if the stairs have overhangs, cut them off using a jigsaw. Hardwood treads can cost anywhere from $20 to $30 or more. 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. After youve completed the installation of your riser and tread, the next step is to attach your nosing, which serves as an edge trim on each of the steps. Be sure to not only glue but also to screw the entire nose into the floor. Unlike hardwood flooring that comes in a wide variety of lengths, laminate is one uniform length. 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.