How To Install Prefinished RetroFit Stair Treads- Comment
Category : Business
Views : 161
Post date : 2024-06-12 15:28
Information about this video
Looking to Change out your old carpeted staircase to a new natural wood staircase? Our prefinished RetroFit stair treads are the perfect solution to giving a facelift to your home. We've compiled this short instructional video to learn how to install stair treads using our professional pre-finished options. To begin watching, click the above video link.
Reminder: Check out and follow any applicable local building codes when performing a remodeling project and installing stair treads.
Recommended Adhesives
Only use 100% urethane-based adhesives when installing stair treads made of solid wood! Water-based adhesives will cause the wood to warp if too much is used. We strongly advise you to read the recommended adhesives followed by nailing to ensure thorough grip and durability. An adhesive with a high moisture content will ruin a set of RetroFit stair treads and is not covered by our warranty!
Stair Installation Q & A
What are ALL the different tools, saws and nails I will need to complete this project?
Most tools needed for installing stair treads securely as as follows:
Sliding miter saw
Table Saw
Circular saw
16-gauge finish nail gun with 2" nails (for the retro treads)
18-gauge finish nail gun with 1" nails (for the cove molding & risers)
Tape measure
Step-Dr measuring jig (strongly recommended)
Rubber mallet
Hammer
Chisels
Adhesive & Caulk gun
Pencil & straight edge
How do I remove the carpet, and what do I use?
If you are wondering how to install stair treads, the first step would be removing old carpet is by cutting it into strips and pulling it. It is typically stapled in, so a good tug is all needed to remove it. Check for any staples or nails that are poking out and rip them off as well before preparing the stairs for installing the treads.
After removing the nose of the sub-tread and “cleaning it up,” does the cleaned-up nose need to be perfectly smooth?
No. Any part of the old sub-tread that overhangs the risers below should be chiselled back square so that it's flush, but doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth. The new retro riser will cover any imperfections left from cutting. It's preferable to over-cut the sub-tread so it's slightly recessed from the riser to prevent "smiles" or gaps between the underside of the new tread and the new retro riser.
How to install stair treads over existing stairs- should each step be measured individually, even on a standard staircase?
Measuring each step is absolutely imperative. Even the best prefab (shop-built or drop-in) staircases are out or square to some degree, and each tread must be cut to fit its particular opening. Some staircases can even have as much as a 1-2" variance from the first tread to the last!
How do you stop the surface from being scratched while cutting it to fit?
Our finish is one of the toughest on the market today,, but taking some preventative steps is a great idea. The first step to how to install retrofit stair treads is making sure your saw blades are sharp, and you have the appropriate blade (see this article for blade selection). Be sure to cut slowly, and don't force the saws. When rip-cutting the width of treads (if needed), lay a piece of cardboard under the face of the new retro tread and cut through it to prevent the face of the tread from being scratched when sliding it over the table.
Will the treads always need to be rip-cut on a table saw?
How to install the treads and risers over existing stairs? Do you have to rip cut always first? The answer is No. Depending on how wide your stairs are, you may be able to use the new retro tread as-is. Many older staircases have narrower steps that require the retro treads to be ripped. Still, newer staircases typically have 11-1/2" wide carpeted treads. The body of the latest retro tread is 10-1/4" wide, so an 11-1/2" comprehensive existing step with a 1-1/4" overhang will need the full-sized retro tread without any rip cutting required.
Should the width of the new Retro tread be measured so that the ENTIRE depth from front to back matches the sub-tread or from the inside of the nose on the bottom?
It's easiest to measure just the existing tread after any overhang has been removed and then cut the body of the retro tread to this measurement. The bullnose (overhanging part of the retro tread) is always 1-1/4" and should be left as-is.
How to, install prefinished stair treads- how much glue to use and is it the same for wider treads?
About one tube of glue is used for every two treads and risers on a 36" staircase. Longer treads will require more. Do ensure gluing is not compromised while installing stair treads as it is the foundation of the process and ensures the treads are secured in place before you nail them for added durability.
How do you remove the excess putty from the
putty stick used on the treads so that it doesn’t look waxy without removing it from where it is needed?
Press hard when filling nail holes to push wax into the hole.Tap and press with a rubber mallet to squeeze out maximum putty when its excess. Then, wipe it hard with a rag so the wax is removed from the surface and left in the hole. See this video for more info: https://www.stair-treads.com/instructions-how-to/how-to-use-wood-filler-sticks.html
Reminder: Check out and follow any applicable local building codes when performing a remodeling project and installing stair treads.
Recommended Adhesives
Only use 100% urethane-based adhesives when installing stair treads made of solid wood! Water-based adhesives will cause the wood to warp if too much is used. We strongly advise you to read the recommended adhesives followed by nailing to ensure thorough grip and durability. An adhesive with a high moisture content will ruin a set of RetroFit stair treads and is not covered by our warranty!
Stair Installation Q & A
What are ALL the different tools, saws and nails I will need to complete this project?
Most tools needed for installing stair treads securely as as follows:
Sliding miter saw
Table Saw
Circular saw
16-gauge finish nail gun with 2" nails (for the retro treads)
18-gauge finish nail gun with 1" nails (for the cove molding & risers)
Tape measure
Step-Dr measuring jig (strongly recommended)
Rubber mallet
Hammer
Chisels
Adhesive & Caulk gun
Pencil & straight edge
How do I remove the carpet, and what do I use?
If you are wondering how to install stair treads, the first step would be removing old carpet is by cutting it into strips and pulling it. It is typically stapled in, so a good tug is all needed to remove it. Check for any staples or nails that are poking out and rip them off as well before preparing the stairs for installing the treads.
After removing the nose of the sub-tread and “cleaning it up,” does the cleaned-up nose need to be perfectly smooth?
No. Any part of the old sub-tread that overhangs the risers below should be chiselled back square so that it's flush, but doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth. The new retro riser will cover any imperfections left from cutting. It's preferable to over-cut the sub-tread so it's slightly recessed from the riser to prevent "smiles" or gaps between the underside of the new tread and the new retro riser.
How to install stair treads over existing stairs- should each step be measured individually, even on a standard staircase?
Measuring each step is absolutely imperative. Even the best prefab (shop-built or drop-in) staircases are out or square to some degree, and each tread must be cut to fit its particular opening. Some staircases can even have as much as a 1-2" variance from the first tread to the last!
How do you stop the surface from being scratched while cutting it to fit?
Our finish is one of the toughest on the market today,, but taking some preventative steps is a great idea. The first step to how to install retrofit stair treads is making sure your saw blades are sharp, and you have the appropriate blade (see this article for blade selection). Be sure to cut slowly, and don't force the saws. When rip-cutting the width of treads (if needed), lay a piece of cardboard under the face of the new retro tread and cut through it to prevent the face of the tread from being scratched when sliding it over the table.
Will the treads always need to be rip-cut on a table saw?
How to install the treads and risers over existing stairs? Do you have to rip cut always first? The answer is No. Depending on how wide your stairs are, you may be able to use the new retro tread as-is. Many older staircases have narrower steps that require the retro treads to be ripped. Still, newer staircases typically have 11-1/2" wide carpeted treads. The body of the latest retro tread is 10-1/4" wide, so an 11-1/2" comprehensive existing step with a 1-1/4" overhang will need the full-sized retro tread without any rip cutting required.
Should the width of the new Retro tread be measured so that the ENTIRE depth from front to back matches the sub-tread or from the inside of the nose on the bottom?
It's easiest to measure just the existing tread after any overhang has been removed and then cut the body of the retro tread to this measurement. The bullnose (overhanging part of the retro tread) is always 1-1/4" and should be left as-is.
How to, install prefinished stair treads- how much glue to use and is it the same for wider treads?
About one tube of glue is used for every two treads and risers on a 36" staircase. Longer treads will require more. Do ensure gluing is not compromised while installing stair treads as it is the foundation of the process and ensures the treads are secured in place before you nail them for added durability.
How do you remove the excess putty from the
putty stick used on the treads so that it doesn’t look waxy without removing it from where it is needed?
Press hard when filling nail holes to push wax into the hole.Tap and press with a rubber mallet to squeeze out maximum putty when its excess. Then, wipe it hard with a rag so the wax is removed from the surface and left in the hole. See this video for more info: https://www.stair-treads.com/instructions-how-to/how-to-use-wood-filler-sticks.html
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