Installing treads and risers. Installing pine stair treads and risers. The first question most diyers ask when installing stairs for the first time is do you install the risers or the stair treads first the correct answer is to install the riser first. I pre stained my stair treads which helped but could not put the protective coating on until we installed them because we would make nail holes that would need to be filled in with wood filler and than touched up with stain. Your riser should be at least 12 thick and the tread no less than 1 thick.
First the riser and then the tread. This gives support to the back of the tread and the 14 gap allows for. Easy to follow step by step instructions give diyers the information they need to install new treads and railings. Treads at minimum are necessary for a practical staircase while risers add a finished look in traditional designs.
One of the biggest slowdowns during this project was waiting for the stair treads and risers to be installed so i could paint and varathane them. Treads and risers install should start at the bottom step. This avoids the headache of taping off walls moldings and skirts. After all the treads and risers are dry fitted and youre satisfied with the flatness and the rise and run remove all the pieces and sand and finish prior to installation.
The reason is that you want a nice snug fit along the riser with the tread above it. Ask this old house general contractor tom silva teaches a homeowner how to replace split level stair treads in his midcentury modern home click here to subscribe to the official this old house. However on the tread you leave a 14 inch gap on the back edge and then install the next riser. How to install oak stair treads and risers.
Its a high impact low cost project that really completes my house. Buy retro treads stair treads risers and other stair parts for your staircase project direct from the manufacturer.