Q: I am having laminate installed on my stairs and the stair treads. I have been told that for the sides I can get oak veneer, stain and varnish it to match the laminate, then cut the laminate to match the sides of the stairs, but also have been told that it is nearly impossible to do a good job cutting an 8 ft piece to fit on the sides because every stair will have to be measured separately and most stairs are not perfect.
The house was built in 1980. We live outside Edmonton. Do you have any ideas of an easier way?
A: Honestly, I wouldn’t install laminate on stairs. I would either cover them with 3/4 thick hardwood or new slabs. I would recommend hiring a stair professional for this job.
Q imported from our old site, Face Lift Floors: I would like to place a laminate hardwood over my stairs. I do not want to have to remove the stairs and rebuild. I know there is a laminate wood product out there to do this. I was wondering if you could help me?
A: First, the existing treads must be cut back flush with the stair riser below. (Most stair treads overhang the riser by about 1.5 inches.) Then, a proper nosing must be glued and nailed to the existing tread. However, after cutting back the bullnose on each tread to be flush with the riser, the installation starts on the bottom riser. You apply the choice of wood to the riser, starting at floor level and working up the riser to where the first nosing will be installed. The last piece of wood on the first riser is cut flush with the top of the first tread. Then you put on the first nosing. You then install the wood on the first tread right up to the next riser. Then you do the second riser, bringing the wood up to the next tread. Install the next nosing and so on. Make sure you use adhesive to ad strength.
Original / moved link https://faceliftfloors.com/q-and-a/laminatestairs.php