Finish work / Stair treads and nosing
Split level and two story homes are common in our area, and the stairs are often the last piece of carpet left after the rest of the house gets a hard floor. Replacing that carpet with treads and nosing that match the new floor is one of the most visible changes you can make in a house.
We work over the existing steps. The old carpet, pad and tack strips come off, each step is measured on its own, and new treads, risers and nosing are cut to fit. Stairs are rarely perfectly even, so every tread is scribed to its walls rather than cut from one measurement.
How the work goes
Strip the steps
Carpet and pad come off and every staple and tack strip is pulled, so the new treads sit flat.
Measure one by one
No two steps are the same. We measure and scribe each tread to the walls and the skirt board.
Fit risers and treads
Risers go on first, then treads, working from the bottom up. Each piece is glued and fastened.
Finish the edges
The top nosing meets the upper floor and the bottom tread meets the lower one with clean, matching edges.
Matching the floor
With vinyl plank or laminate, most product lines offer a matching stair nose. We pair it with a plank on each tread, or use a one piece tread in the same color. With tile on the lower level, a wood look tread that matches a nearby plank often looks right.
Risers are usually painted white for contrast, which also makes each step easier to see. Matching risers in the floor color give a calmer, more continuous look. Both work, and the choice often comes down to how bright the stairway is.
Safety and comfort
A hard stair can be slipperier than carpet, especially in socks. A matte, textured tread surface helps. A runner down the center adds grip and quiets footsteps, and it can be added later if you want to try the stairs bare first.
Good light on the stairs matters as much as the floor. A contrasting riser and a nosing with a visible edge help everyone see where each step ends.
Before the stair day
Plan to use another route or keep traffic light on the day the stairs are done, since the adhesive needs time to set. Pets and kids should stay off the stairs until we say they are ready.
Questions about stair treads and nosing
Do you build or rebuild staircases?
Our stair work is the surface: treads, risers and nosing over existing steps that are sound. If a step feels loose or broken, that is worth having looked at before new treads go on.
How long do stairs take?
A straight staircase is usually done in a day. Stairs with turns, landings or open sides take longer.
Can we use the stairs the same day?
Carefully, once the adhesive has set enough. We tell you when, and how long to wait before heavy traffic.
Can stairs match tile?
Tile on stairs is possible but rare in homes. A wood look tread that matches the plank on the upper floor is the more common pairing.
