I'm slowly doing renovations to my 1979 house. Took the carpet off my
by
Louise
+12
stairs and sanded old paint off, intending to stain them. Still might do that. BUT since I have 3 cats and a dog, it's going to be a pain in the rear to keep them off the stairs during the process. I thought about replacing the treads with new wood, BUT as you see in the photos, the treads somehow go into the side wood pieces. My handyman who can do literally ANYTHING said these can't be replaced without major work. I saw a video where the treads and risers were all covered with new wood but that was also a very long and involved job. Question. CAN these risers be replaced without its being a major job? If so, I can stain them BEFORE they're installed.
13 answers
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Your handyman was correct. These stairs cannot be taken apart. However you can purchase overlay material that will cover the stairs to make them look like brand new. The bullnose edge of the stair is cut off and a new pre-made tread is fastened over the existing tread. Then the riser on the back is then installed. Start from bottom and work to top. Remember that on the top tread your step will be about 3/8 of an inch higher then it is now. If you have wood on the top floor, it will be lower than the new tread. This can present a trip hazard, but there are trims that can be installed to lower that risk. Here is an example of one product that is available to you. http://www.nustair.com/
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Feb 28, 2014
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if you want a runner, you can cover the sides w// Rocklers pressure sensetive veneer. Get a 36 inch runner to save money
Higgins const.
on Mar 01, 2014
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the treads appear to be in great shape so I would just paint or stain them. baby/critter gates at the top and bottom will keep most animals off them. I would alternate the treads, stain every other one, so you can still go up and down. then go back the next weekend and finish the others.
Kelly S
on Mar 01, 2014
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I have tread rugs on mine and when I wash them in 2 loads I alternate putting them back down so that we don't go down.
Kelly S
on Mar 01, 2014
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I don't have cats just dogs but when we did ours we took heavy plastic that you use for vapor barrier anattached it to the railing and at the bottom of the stairs, if you don't leave anything loose it should stop the cats as well. Hope this helps
Louise Fulton
on Mar 02, 2014
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That's for sure. Fortunately, I have really long legs! :-)
Louise
on Mar 02, 2014
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My cats amaze me every day at what they accomplish, so I think I'll have to keep them in one room during the staircase project. One cat, who's 8 yrs old, so is no longer a mischievous kitten (but I have two of those who are 10 mos old), keeps somehow getting between the floors of the house from the basement utility room. I've blocked off everything I can find with chicken wire and CANNOT imagine how he's doing it. Yesterday I heard a big noise, ran to the utility room, and there he was, looking out from behind a tacked piece of chicken wire, meowing to get out. :-(
Louise
on Mar 02, 2014
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Tip...I would suggest staining and then varnishing them really good. I like a runner too. If you paint them, use a dark color...I did mine white and I will repaint dark...probably dull black! You may have to camp out a couple of nights downstairs with the pets! Just close doors and put up gates! If you have cats, board them at the vets overnight.
Jeanette S
on Mar 02, 2014
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I have a couple of rooms I can put the cats in with their litter boxes. They can play and sit in the windows for a day or so. And the dog and I can leave by the back door. It will certainly be an experience! :-) AND, I'll do it on a weekend when I don't have to leave the house if I don't want to. Are you saying you painted your TREADS white? With pets, I could never do that! :-)
Louise
on Mar 02, 2014
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@Louise ...... @FunkyJunk Interiors - Donna had the neatest stairs i have ever seen xx
Chris aka monkey
on Mar 02, 2014
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Definitely a dark varnish on the treads and paint the risers white. It will be the easiest solution, by far, even if you have to contain your pets for a few days. I did mine three years ago and kept our dog in the kitchen by a baby gate.
MikkiGirl
on Mar 02, 2014
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WOW, these steps ARE funky! :-)
Louise
on Mar 02, 2014
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I agree a nice dark stain or varnish would look well. Only replace where things are so rotten or broken that they can't be fixed; old is (almost always) better than new IMHO.
3D Builders Manchester
on Mar 03, 2014
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