Wondering about retrofit treads?

Louise
by Louise

They seem to fit my needs so wonder what experience any of you have had with them. I pulled up the carpet from my stairs longer ago than I should admit and planned to sand/stain/poly them myself. But I have pets and if I do that, I'll have to keep them off the stairs for hours each time I work on the job. I don't want to have to put the furries behind closed doors for such a long time so retrofit tread would solve that problem, plus would save me a real hassle. I've found some online that have good prices. I'd get unfinished ones that I need to sand/stain, etc., but that would be easy since they'd be on tables or saw horses. Then I'd have to have them installed. That would include some cutting. My current treads have a bullnose so that would have to be cut off since the new treads have one. The width of the new one is 2" too much but cutting off 2" would be easy. And a bit would have to be cut from the back. But for people with cutting skills, that would be simple.


Have any of you used these? If so, were you happy with the results or do you have good suggestions?

Just an example. I wouldn't get this one because that large brown area isn't pleasing.

  8 answers
  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Jun 25, 2020

    We just installed these treads and made a whole tutorial about it. Hope it helps you! https://www.frugalfamilytimes.com/2020/02/stair-makeover-how-to-install-wood-treads-over-plywood-steps.html

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jun 25, 2020

    Hope this helps!


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/staircases/weekend-project-installing-new-stair-treads-28953624?expand_all_questions=1

  • Dee Dee on Jun 25, 2020

    Retro-fitting stair treads is the simplest solution for a DIY'er intent on installing hardwood treads over an existing flight of stairs. High-quality prefinished stair treads are made of solid edge-glued wood—not a veneered or engineered material—and can be used to “cap” or reface an existing tread.

    Modern adhesive technology allows for the installation of stair treads without having to drill holes for screws or hammer nails into the surface. ... Allowing for a 1 1/2-inch overhang, the minimum depth of the stair tread must be at least 10 inches. Cut the tread to the exact size needed using a miter saw.

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Jun 26, 2020

    Pre-cutting and finishing the treads is the best solution. Install later. That way you can also use the stairs.

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Jun 27, 2020

    One thing to check before deciding this - does putting the new treads on top of the old make the staircase no longer to code? It's possible that adding an 1" or so on top of your current stair treads will make each step higher than is permitted by code. IF you put the treads on top of the current ones, the stairs will NOT be to code as each step won't have the same riser height because the final step leads to the landing (making that riser shorter than all the others).

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Jun 29, 2020

    If the picture that you used, is what you’re going to buy, those are pine.

    Pine is too soft for “big dogs” and will dent and gouge.

    Hardwood treads are very pricey, but will last a lifetime.


  • Louise Louise on Jun 29, 2020

    I just used that an example of a retrofit tread. But I no longer have dogs. Just 4 cats.