Wrapping stair nosing

Q: I have stairs with pickets. I assume from the other questions that I have to take those up and put them back when done. Is it OK to just glue down the hard wood and use no nails, and if not, is it OK to nail in engineered planks? I also assume it would be better to use urethane rather than dry tack, correct?

Also, the side of the stairs is exposed. For now I plan on wrapping stair nosing around it also, but that’s a lot of work. Is there something else you recommend I do for the exposed side?

A: If you install solid slabs treads, you can get them with relief on one or both sides. I think that would be the better way to go.