Remove any existing flooring or trim from the stairs and check that the subfloor is in good condition and that the stairs are level. Order your laminate flooring. However, laminate flooring, like other floors, has its own set of installation distinctions. Measure the tread size exactly as outlined above. 05272398. In the instructions it says that you should leave a 10mm gap between the edge of the Make sure you select the proper underlay for your laminate flooring before attaching it to your stairwell in preparation for installing your flooring. 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. Nose size depends on the manufacturer. Using an Ohm Meter to test for bonding of a subpanel. When cutting thread pieces, make sure to cut on the groove side of the plank, and glue them together tongue-to-groove. 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. 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. If your steps have a dip in the middle of the tread and you find that your nosing has some give to it in the middle of the step after installing it, you might want to put a small wood or plastic shim beneath it. The bottom of your riser should be the groove if you leave the tongue on the bottom of your riser, you risk having part of the tongue exposed. How To Finish Laminate Flooring At Top Of Stairs The link between laminate flooring and water, on the other hand, is tricky. 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! There are three parts that you will need to cut from your laminate, and it is best if you prepare them ahead of time before you begin installing the flooring: Riser parts are pieces that support a structure (the front piece on the vertical side of the step), Nosing for the stairwell (the corner piece which will create an overhang). Once this is done, measure and cut out your pieces of laminate to make tread pieces, riser pieces and stair nosing. A more extreme solution would be to use a leveling compound, which is not easy to work with on stairs. Enjoy! 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? Sometimes they can be wiggled enough to dislodge them but be careful because they can break off in their hole and then you are out of luck. That means the laminate on your stairs needs extra adhesion youll need to glue it to your subfloor. Thus, you may have to attach two laminate boards together by applying adhesive to the tongues and grooves before locking them in position. Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals, DIY Doctor Ltd, The Workshop, Newbury Works, Somerset, BA3 5RX, Company Number: 05863375 | VAT Number: 811134774, Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Group, General Building, Self Build and Renovation, Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety, Installing Laminate flooring at bottom of the stairs. Help with transition between rooms using hardwood and laminate flooring. 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. Since its harder to keep riser pieces in place until the adhesive sets, you can drive a single nail through the top center part of the board. Its possible that youll need to cut these down to fit the length of your stairwell. Youll also need the nosing that goes with your laminate product. Last, youll need to cut out the spindle holes on both tread sections. It should be noted that laminate flooring is not plastic. 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. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 616,245 times. 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. WebMeasure the length of the stair tread from side to side. Consumers have several options for laminate flooring, which ranges from wood to natural finishes. Finish off the job by applying filler putty into the screw holes in each stair nose. You may need to level the subfloor of your steps particularly the center of your stair treads. 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. They are sold separately and are designed to be used in conjunction with normal laminate planks on the edge of the stair tread to create a clean look and continuity between the tread and riser. feedback. This is the best image I could find. While this might not sound appealing, I suggest measuring each tread and riser separately dont assume they are all of the uniform length. Laminate flooring planks are a cheap staircase flooring option. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The processes to create plastic versus laminate are completely different. How to Install Laminate Flooring on Stairs Underlay should not be regarded as an optional extra; because it can help to muffle sound, enhance acoustics, and create a more pleasant feel underfoot, it is especially crucial in high-traffic areas such as stairwells and hallways. This is a fantastic method to extend your gorgeous floor onto your stairs without breaking the bank. Compared to staircase carpeting, laminate planks are quite noisy when you walk on them. Laminate flooring is designed to look like wood, but the similarities between the two materials end there. How to Remove Laminate Flooring | Budget Dumpster - The Fill Installing Laminate flooring at bottom of the stairs - DIY Doctor Starting from the top of the staircase, lay down your first tread piece. Laminate can be as thin as 3 and be as thick as 7 or greater. Extra Tip: Before you begin putting your flooring, make sure that your sub-floor is as level as possible. Then use a small flathead screwdriver or chisel to remove the small cuts of material. The first area which I can see me having problems is when I reach the bottom of the stairs. 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. Stair risers- cover the vertical part of the stair steps. Also, hardwood nosing that is around 80 are upwards of $80, while laminate nose pieces are closer to $40 for the same length. Measure the stair tread and cut the planks to fit. Prepare the stairs. The tread will sit flush up against your riser, so subtract the thickness of the riser from the width of the tread. Put nails or screws into the riser. However, it is significantly less expensive than hardwood. 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. The flooring is robust, though not as durable as a hardwood floor, which is understandable. You then glue the nosing and also screw it in. Are there any canonical examples of the Prime Directive being broken that aren't shown on screen? Ideally, the adhesive should be Liquid Nails or a construction-type glue that can be applied with a glue gun. WebThe molding sits flat and level on one side with your laminate flooring and closely hugs the first stair or step on the other side, rounding off the edge of the stair and adding a unique finishing touch to your completed laminate flooring project. DIY how to tutorial projects and guides - Did you know we have a DIY Projects section? You need to read the manufacturers instructions for the nosing installation to determine how much length you need to give for the nose piece. How to Replace a Subfloor Under a 1) I am experiencing rising mould on my internal walls by the back door and spots of mould are 2008-2023 MyBuilder Limited It only takes a minute to sign up. It is inexpensive, long-lasting, and attractive when correctly fitted. Stairs start at 36 wide. If the edges of the plank are not perfectly aligned with the edges of the riser, you can trim them to fit. Best of luck with your next laminate stair project! Additionally, because your nosing will cover this area, you can nail the very top of the riser in place if it is necessary to do so. They either sit on top of the tread and lip over the riser, or they are flush with the tread and sit on top of the riser. Below, well go over how to install laminate flooring on stairs so that you can match your stairs to the rest of your floor. I'm the head writer, Joe. Compressed wood fibers derived from wood chips are used to create, Read More What is Laminate Flooring made of? For some, thats enough cause for concern about tripping hazards. If you dont have one, you can simply use 2 finishing nails also called 6d nails around the edges. Laying laminate around bottom of stairs | DIYnot Forums Block vs Poured Foundation: Whats the Difference? If this was available for flooring I have done in the past I could have used it more than a few times. 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. If the angle of the steps makes it difficult to fit, you can trim the edges to make them more comfortable. In terms of breadth, the laminate stair treads dont have to fit the front edge, as youll cover that space up with the nosing strips. This article has been viewed 616,245 times. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. MIP Model with relaxed integer constraints takes longer to solve than normal model, why? For example, in older homes, it is fairly uncommon for hardwood step treads to be worn down halfway down the treads. After that, give your steps a good brushing to ensure that they have a clean and even surface to work on. After 20-30 minutes, use a damp cloth to even out the putty covering each screw, before it is fully dry. The answer is yes! Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Width of laminate depends on the type you buy and what style you are looking for, but the wider the planks, the more expensive usually. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. After installing underlay material, you can now start measuring and cutting out the laminate planks that youll use on your stairs. PVA type II glue is ideal. Youll also need to acquire nose stripping in the color of your choice (well go over this in more detail later in this guide). Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Install should look just like picture. They are around 80 long, so depending on how many steps you have, you may be able to get away with only buying a couple. Cookies Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search. or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you. 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. Finally, after youve purchased the laminate planks, its important to acclimatize them to the temperature and humidity conditions of your stairway. Stair nosings are usually installed at the front edge of stair treads, mainly to increase the slip resistance of the staircase. Now that the floor is clear and no moulding is present, locate the wall that has the tongue side of the laminate flooring. If you dont, youll have a on that tread for the life of the stairs. This is a durability rating applied to all laminate products. 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. Both of these functions ensure enhanced user safety, minimizing the chances of users slipping and falling down the staircase. Labor costs about $568 to install laminate in a 330 square foot living room. Ensure proper installation with the tapered end of the nosings forming the overhangs that protrude over the edge of the tread pieces. Thicknesses range from 7mm to 12mm and this should be on your radar when purchasing laminate for stairs. Are you a trade or supplier? Then cut through the middle of each spindle hole, going in a straight line the width of the tread. Thick laminate floors wont bow or give as much as thinner laminates. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. The riser piece, which is located vertically on the front of the step, is made of steel. is there laminate trim for next to stairs? Next you will need to cut the riser pieces to length. 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. Then, leave the new laminate staircase unused overnight. 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. It's not them. This can be a cause of discomfort for people sleeping upstairs as they walk up the stairs at night. There are a plethora of benefits to having laminate flooring installed. Due to the fact that most laminate boards will not cover the entire step, you may need to cut from a second board. That photo is protected by a clear aluminum oxide finish, which maintains the look of the laminate while providing additional protection. Tape your carpet and edge of laminate, lots of construction adhesive, and evenly distribute weights on the transition for 12 hours. Would it be Okay to Lay Laminate Flooring on Top of This Type of Flooring. Otherwise, use a circular saw and cut carefully, as you wont have much room for error. Make sure to wear gloves while you are removing carpet, the staples can be very sharp and may cause injuries. The next step in your installation process requires you to glue some of your laminate pieces together. 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. Use wood glue to glue your laminate together. Youll install your riser first, starting at the top step, and work your way down. He has 20 years of experience in construction, interior design and real estate development. What does 'They're at four. Another consideration is the quality of work, as stairs are more visible than other parts of a buildings structure. 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. Scrape or Sand Off Leftover 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. How can I remove laminate flooring from an oddly shaped hallway without destroying it? jobs, [Step by Step Guide], How Long Does it Take To Install Laminate Flooring [Truth Revealed], How much does to install laminate flooring? How to Finish Stairs With Laminate | Home Guides | SF Gate Remember, laminate on stairs does not use underlayment, so you can strike that cost from your budget for this project. % of people told us that this article helped them. 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 If you dont think adhesive is adequate for the job, you might consider nailing the laminate flooring to the step (subfloor). Finally, if the stairs have overhangs, cut them off using a jigsaw. In this article, we will go over exactly how to measure, cut, and Leave a small amount of space between each tread so that you can place your stair nosing piece onto the front. If you have carpeting installed, use a pair of pliers to remove any nails holding the carpet in place. Finish off by driving a single screw or nail at the top of each of the nosing strips. Would this be the best solution? Use a jigsaw and cut slowly. You dont want imperfections in a high traffic area youll see them every day. Laminate is notoriously slippery, especially when wet. 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. Then, I switched careers into accounting, so my wife and I began buying, renovating, and re-selling homes on the side. 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.