Help on renovating carpeted staircase...

Question

I am looking to pull up my carpeted staircase and stain the treads and paint the risers.  The treads are solid bullnosed pine.  There is a 90 degree turn on the staircase, and the landing there is particle board with a stair nose molding.  I know I can just sand and stain the treads, but I am assuming that I have to replace the particle board landings.  Any suggestions on how to proceed?

HandyANDY - Handyman & All Repairs, LLC · Answer

More than likely you will have to pull up the OSB or chipboard subfloor on the landing and replace with solid plywood sheeting.  You can then nail or staple t&g pine flooring.  You can get some of this pre-finished at Lumber Liquidators or Floor & decor.  It's really not the easiest DIY project.  LUCK!

Steven · Answer

Thanks for the info!

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

This may be a good site to visit also that may offer some help to fix this issue. http://www.stair-treads.com/retro-fit-my-stairs You can thank Tom from Money Pit for this link.

Peace Painting Co., Inc. · Answer

Finish all the stained surfaces before starting the painted ones.
CP

Ricardo B · Answer

Unless the pine has an interesting 'character' to it like knotty pine, stained pine is not much to look at much like plain carpet.  If I were committing to pulling up carpet off stairs... I'd jump in deeply and lay down oak or maple or something that would be cool to see...

But, that's just me.  Good look with your project, Steven.

Peace Painting Co., Inc. · Answer

You could also faux the steps.
CP

KMS Woodworks · Answer

FYI ...building codes require that stair heights do not vary by more than 3/8' from the 'others' in the group.  This is something to keep in mind when adding a 'new layer' as in T&G pine

Ellen H · Answer

I am looking to carpet mine... I like the softness much better... and it is much quieter when you have kids running up and down them.

Peace Painting Co., Inc. · Answer

Ellen, just change them out with Stephen (-;

Thomas P · Answer

When you advised Ellen to faux the stairs I found that very intertesting. How do you go about it?

Rhoda V · Answer

Steven, take a look at what I did in my former house when I ripped the carpet off the stairs. The wood was nice & solid, but not meant to be shown, but I made it work by painting the stairs & risers & adding molding too, as well as a jute runner. I loved them! Be sure to scrool down to see them finished! http://southernhospitalityblog.com/the-down-dirty-on-the-stair-project/

Peace Painting Co., Inc. · Answer

Thomas, any good faux artist, like Kass from Wallstreat here, can make the stairs look like oak.
For a DIY'r, it's a little tricky though.  I am not a  faux person but can change the look of stained wood using gel stain and/or color varnish.  These techniques mask the original grain, changing the color.  
You can also go to the paint store and they will make you a glaze into any color.  This you brush on to color and imitate the grain.  Oil base works best because it gives you a longer working time.
These products take some finesse to work with, so they take a little practice.  You can wipe off your 'practice' steps with thinner and start over.
Once I visited the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City.  Our guide pointed out that the oak pews did not come from oak, there is none in that area.  They were in fact pine finished to look like oak. 
CPeace

Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc. · Answer

That was an awesome link Woodridge, thank you.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Southern Hos....Nice looking project...its amazing what some trim caulk and paint can do.

Ana M · Answer

I did just that! I am posting pics for you to see. I did a more hardy slate tile where you are going to be painting the treads. So durable, I love them! I bought oak planks at Lowe's and stained and poly urethaned them myself, did not even have to replace the particle board I glued and nailed them in for extra security. VERY inexpensie my entire stairs costs me less than $1000, the planks were the most expensive part.

Ana M · Answer

This is the before and after of the stairs, (we have gone through two different paint colors on the walls but you can see the remodel on the stairs)

Ana M · Answer

By the way the treads are so durable because with painted treads you always have people shoes kicking them and here no damage done!

Peace Painting Co., Inc. · Answer

Real nice job.  They will look like that 10 years+ from now.
CP

Faidra at CA Global Inc · Answer

Call Kass @ walls treat she can help or o&s installations

Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc. · Answer

Now that is clever Ana! Great job.

Steven · Answer

Decided to go with the plywood sheeting on the landings, sanding and staining the treads and just sanding and painting the risers.  Thanks for your input!

KMS Woodworks · Answer

@ Steven...how are you dealing with the exposed 'edges' of the ply for the landings?

Steven · Answer

There was enough of a gap under the base board from where the carpeting was, I was able to slide it under so no edges were exposed.

Ana M · Answer

Turned out great! Congrats and enjoy!

KMS Woodworks · Answer

I was thinking more about the Nose of the landing...unless this landing is not part of a 'step'

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