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Mike O.
 
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Default Oak stair treads - Help Please

On Sat, 26 Nov 2005 14:25:24 GMT, "Tom H" wrote:

The wife want me to remove the carpeted stairs in our home and replace it
with oak stair treads.


One problem with tearing out the existing treads is that they are
likely 1 1/2" thick and even solid oak treads are usually 5/4 so you
have changed the top and bottom rise. If an inspector a factor you
may not pass and even if he isn't it'll take time to get used to the
change.

She wants to re-carpet the center of the stairs with the oak showing on each
side. I am wondering if I could use a good quality oak veneer plywood with a solid
oak bullnose. The oak will not be walked on with the center carpet.


This is sometimes done as a less expensive alternative to solid
treads. I don't like plywood on the tread just because it can be
damaged fairly easily although replacing one is not too difficult.
Another method is to glue up some solid 1/2" or 3/4" thick oak to make
the tread ends out of. I suppose you could even use a laminate
flooring but I've never been asked to do that. Don't tear out the
existing treads but apply these to each end of the treads. You
haven't changed the rise at all where the carpet will be.

You might also check with your local lumber yard to see what stair
parts are available. Most stair part manufactures make a solid piece
to do exactly what you are talking about. The piece is normally 1/2"
thick and comes with a nose for just the front or to turn the corner
if one end is exposed.
Don't forget you will also need something for the rise but plywood
might be okay if the carpet will hide the raw edge.

Check page 25 of this pdf.
www.coffmanstairs.com/literature/c_173.pdf

If the link doen't work just go to coffmanstairs.com and poke around.

Mike O.