Stair Redo - Phase 1 Complete
We have completed Phase 1 of our Stair Redo. Some lucky people rip up the carpet on their stairs and have these wonderful bullnose stair treads underneath that just need to be finished to look gorgeous. We are not so lucky. We got . . . not bullnose, not gorgeous, not even pretty.
The options we are currently considering to fix these lovelies are:
A) clean, paint and and trim as a temporary fix
B) rip the whole thing out and add proper treads and risers
C) cry, eat some chocolate, grab a bottle of wine and hit the hot tub
D) skin the treads with the laminate flooring we are putting in the rest of the basement, add some trim and call it done.
Which would you choose?
The options we are currently considering to fix these lovelies are:
A) clean, paint and and trim as a temporary fix
B) rip the whole thing out and add proper treads and risers
C) cry, eat some chocolate, grab a bottle of wine and hit the hot tub
D) skin the treads with the laminate flooring we are putting in the rest of the basement, add some trim and call it done.
Which would you choose?
Reggie wants to know what happened to the carpet
Before with the blue carpet and gold swirly wallpaper
After the carpet and padding had been pulled up but before all of the staples have been pulled.
Aren't they just . . .
After the staples were removed. Most of the front of the treads are chipped off.
Reggie looking over her domain.
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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The most "confounding" part of this makeover is what to do with the "lip" created between the existing rough tread and risers...usually 1/4" or 1/2". I used luan...ripped it into strips to face out the existing risers...glued and nailed...and then face with new risers...whether you go with a paint grade or stain grade. I used 1/2" oak. Then I just purchased oak treads, laid them over the existing rough treads...mastic and nails. Then I just used a "cove molding" to finish between the two. Then you have to run tape along the edges of all the new stuff so you can caulk the gaps between the risers/treads and the existing trim/wall. I stained all my risers and treads before I installed...then applied 3 coats of poly after install. Now...I hate the color. I want to restain all my oak a java gel...but I am hoping by the time I get to that project, oak will be back in vogue...lol!!!
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We just took the carpeting off our stairs. All that is underneath is basic subfloor material. They're not big, sturdy wood boards like you have. We're going to apply the same engineered hardwood we just put in the rest of the upstairs. A friend has a laser cutter, so we might do a decorative element on the risers.
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