I have been "gearing up" for a similar project in
our house for about 3 years. I have done some
research and so far, the best solution I've found seems
to be the soid oak stair parts sold at Home Depot. These
consist of 1/4 in thick overlay for the tread and separate
bullnose for the front.

Our stairs are fully carpeted also. Our plan is to
cover both sides of each step and bullnose the front
(about 8-10 inches on each side).
leaving the center of the step untouched and
eventually carpeted. This way, we will not be changing
riser height on the first and last step.

The solid oak overlay HD sells is about 1/4 inch thick
as I recall. I fully expect to be scribing each of the 13
steps to get a good fit. I may resaw my own overlay oak and just
buy the bullnose.

To make matters more complicated, the steps we have
now are already bullnosed, but not oak, so I will be
routing/chiseling off the bullnose from each side of
each step also.

Hope this makes sense!

Good luck to both of us.

Lou

In article , Montyhp
wrote:

Just moved into a new (well, new to me, house). First floor is all tile and
hardwood (oak). Second floor is all hideous teal carpet (all the rage 10
years ago, I guess). We have ordered all new carpets, but SWMBO wants me to
change the stairs to oak treads and white painted risers. The stairs are
still carpeted, so I am not positive, but I think they are make out of OSB.

My idea is to make a cap for each stair out of 1/4" plywood with a solid
edge. I have a few questions:

-What type of plywood should I use? Just BORG oak face or is there a better
grade out there that I should find?

-How should I adhere the tread to the stairs so it remains adhered when I
want it to, but I can remove and replace if it is damaged? Titebond II?
Hide Glue? Nails? or some type of Mastic?

I know I could replace the entire tread, but I am hoping to do this job with
minimal effort.

Thanks in advance

Montyhp