I removed carpet from the stairs and want to replace it with wood treads. I think I've settled on these red oak unfinished treads from stair-treads.com which I'll finish at home. But I'm not sure what to do about the stringer or where the sides of the treads meet the wall. I was thinking of trimming the existing treads (see red line in pictures below) and placing a 2x2 on top so it's flush. Even then, I'm not sure what to do to make it look good. I'm not sure what the black stuff is, maybe old adhesive from tiles that were previously on it. It seems like it would be a pain to remove. In all the Youtube videos I've watched, no one has their stairs notched into their stringer like this. Thank you!
Comments
rross2007 OP t1_jdw7ihl wrote
Sanding it down smooth would be a pain, even with an electric sander. I think I'll try to cover it up with the new treads and something over the stringers. Thanks for your help.
9yr0ld t1_jdw7o4w wrote
yeah don't sand it. it'll be a pain, and it's garbage wood underneath. the red oak tread you've found is much better quality.
Pinstrip3 t1_jdw9mz7 wrote
Oh I know, I've done mine. They were covered with some sort of gummy paint that clogged sanding pad 5 second after putting a new one. Took me like a week of sanding a single flight. Even though wood is just pine I think It was worth it though.
Thing with covering old treads with new ones is that you'll raise the height of the first step and lower the last. Not a big issue but may look awkward. Second issue is that raisers will still be visible so you may end up sanding them anyway. Same goes for stringers.
dxrey65 t1_jdy4kjs wrote
> Not a big issue
It is a big issue, really. A home inspector would usually follow the code and look for a maximum difference of 1/8 in all the risers. That tends to be followed pretty strictly, as too much difference between stair heights increases the likelihood of someone falling on the stairs. It might sound silly, but anyone in the business is used to having to follow the rules pretty closely there.
Lost-Savage t1_jdymc4w wrote
What's the rise on the first tread? If it within range that's fine but looks like it may be too tall with the tread on top
rross2007 OP t1_jdzqeck wrote
7 3/8". So it would be 8 1/8" with the new 3/4" tread on top.
Lost-Savage t1_je0e6i4 wrote
OK 8 1/8 maybe too high may have to remove the existing ones and simply replacing. The human stride kinda forces a 7 3/8 max stair rise
rross2007 OP t1_je0t04d wrote
That's not really what I wanted to hear. haha. That's actually not even the worst one. There are two more steps at the top of the landing, one is 8 1/4" and the other is 8 1/2".
Lost-Savage t1_je2o8fx wrote
But it looks like if you pull the 2unch boards off you should be fine
9yr0ld t1_jdw67rn wrote
I would do what you're suggesting. just make sure the height of that 2x2 is ABOVE the nose of the tread cover you're going to put on. I feel like it would be... but confirm before you get to it
rross2007 OP t1_jdw7o2v wrote
Good point. I hadn't taking into account how far out the nose of the new treads would be. I might have to make it a 2x4. Thanks.
9yr0ld t1_jdw8ap5 wrote
if you have a scrap 2x2/x3/x4, you could see how it might look.
my other thought would be to use a multi tool and the height of your tread/riser to score a line along the stringer. then a small, sharp chisel to knock it out cleanly. though I'm pretty sure that would be more work and not look any better...
Lost-Savage t1_jdylrnz wrote
Well looks like what I see in the NE all the time, first are you pulling the old treads or placing the new ones on the old, because it looks like you will be losing about an inch or more on the first step it will change a lot, if the rise is fine then the difference will be noticeable enough that it will hide the transition
rross2007 OP t1_jdym1z7 wrote
I plan on adding 3/4” treads on top.
yolomurdoc t1_jdytr1i wrote
If you're adding Treads over top, then be prepared for an inconsistent feel at the top and bottom steps. Definitely won't be a natural feel....but I'm sure you'll get used to it
[deleted] t1_jdw9oky wrote
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[deleted] t1_jdw9vix wrote
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Pinstrip3 t1_jdw0zsq wrote
If You want to replace the treads You can pretty much replace the whole stairs because of the amount of work necessary to do it. Stringers, treads and raisers are parts of a whole structure, rather hard to disassemble where they are.
Trimming treads and putting 2x2s is a good and easy option imo. Stairs will look better.
I'd try sanding the whole stairs and, if they look fine stain or paint them.