"Chris" wrote in message

Apparently because the treads go into the
stringers and are not on top of them, it is not possible to replace with
hardwood. Does that make sence?

Yes, they are not nailde from the top making removal very difficult at best.


Each tread has a bull nose and is nailed
from below to the riser above it. There are no nails in the tread itself
(at least none can be seen from above) and the ends go into the stringer.
He said he has seen someone once cut out the treads but when the job was
done the stairs ended up being completly replaced. I do not know if there
is any alternative.


I don't know of any easy alternatives. If you want to cover them with a
thin material, such as laminate or engineered wood, it can be done right
over top of the existing stair, You have to cut the bullnose off and
replace it with the new one made to match. I have this on my stairs.

For 3/4" hardwood, it would throw off the rise of the top and bottom steps
if you were to go atop the existing treads. The bottom step would be higher
than normal, the top lower than normal.

You may want to consider refinishing what is there to match or contrast the
other flooring.
Ed