Installing Hard-Surface Stair Treads: Basic Tips and Techniques

stair treads on spiral staircase — Take time to cut and measure every tread; don’t assume treads will all be roughly the same shape or size.

*Photo courtesy of Artistic Finishes.*

Profilitec’s Stairtec FW-RON Wood profile and Schluter Systems’ Trep-E profile.

Photos courtesy of Profilitec and Schluter Systems.

Profilitec’s Stairtec FW-RON Wood profile and Schluter Systems’ Trep-E profile.

Photos courtesy of Profilitec and Schluter Systems.

Brasilia stair treads — Dino Grip stair treads are designed to be installed over almost any type of stair substrate, according to the company.

*Photo courtesy of Dino Grip.*

Dino Grip stair treads are designed to be installed over almost any type of stair substrate, according to the company.

*Photo courtesy of Dino Grip.*

Providing a unique look with hand-scraped treads.

*Photo courtesy of Artistic Finishes.*

Stair Products for Multilayer Floors

With multilayer/rigid core flooring products such as WPC (wood plastic composite) and SPC (stone plastic composite) becoming more popular, we wanted to know if any stair tread products that can work with this category have entered the market. Here is what our panel of experts had to say.

Bill Treiber: “Though the products are just becoming a reality for treads and risers, many accessories are being introduced to work with the various thicknesses and composites available today in the WPC/SPC or multilayer flooring industry. Look for products in stair nosing, quarter round and wall base profiles that best connect with the product you’re putting on the floor.

“Currently, the best way to do treads and risers for multilayer floors is to use the flooring itself. The profiles needed to complete the job should have waterproof cores, be stable, have a high-density rating, and complement the floor being used for the staircase. Details for installation, including adhesive recommendations, should closely adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines.”

Don Styka: “It is always recommended to read the manufacturer’s installation instructions prior to starting any installation to make sure the proper installation techniques and recommended adhesives are being utilized. This is especially important when working with any of the newly developed materials that we see entering the market. Flooring manufacturers are a great resource and it’s better to reach out to them to address any questions or concerns prior to installation rather than after problems develop.

“Stair treads and nosings for rigid products are measured and marked in the same manner as you would for a more flexible rubber or vinyl stair tread or nosing, but the cutting tool and process will be different. Again, it’s important for efficiency during the installation process and the quality of the finished cut to have sharp blades in your cutting tool.”

Mike Pigeon: “From my experience most WPC manufacturers make their products for flooring applications and don’t really expect their products to be used on treads. So you should do your homework prior to ordering product if you intend to use them on a stairwell, as finding matching nosings or trims can be difficult.”

Sean Gerolimatos: “There are stair-nosing profiles that may be adhered to the surface of stair treads. These products can integrate with virtually any stair tread material as long as a suitable adhesive is used—one that bonds to both the stair tread surface and the underside of the profile. Always make sure to clean the stair nosings and clean or degrease the underside of the profile. Solidly embed the profile into fully spread adhesive to ensure a secure bond.”

Greg Gelston: “There are companies out there, including Profilitec, that have a complete range of solutions for the new WPC-type flooring.”

Michael Chmielecki wrote about the floor covering industry for BNP Media for more than ten years. As editor of Floor Covering Installer and senior editor of Floor Trends, he always sought ways to better connect and inform the installation and contracting community. Mike has a degree in journalism from the University of New Hampshire.