Hi,

I live in a terraced house approx 100yrs old. I have only bought this
house a while ago

The other day I lifted up the carpet on the stairs as I have always
felt that they were not right in some way.

Lifting up the carpet I could see that the step (the bit of wood that
you stand on when climbing) is totally worn out. I would say the
stairs are the original ones from when the house was built.

Near the edges its OK (as people dont really step there), but the
middle of the step is almost totaly gone on some steps. On others it
is very badly worn.

The previous owner attempted to fix the really bad ones by screwing a
piece of wood, the same size as the step on top. Some steps have this
some dont. So as you climb, those steps with a extra peice of wood
make the step shorter to climb than others - this is the 'not quite
right feeling' I was getting.

Anyway the fix the previous owner applied does not seem that good.
The wood itslef as cracked and broken (i guess because he used
chipboard).

WHat I want to know is what is the best way to fix. Do I have to
replace the whole staircase. This seems expensive.

Is there a way where just the steps can be replaced?

What the previous owner did (fixing wood on top of the worn steps) -
is that OK to do. I could use better wood (possible ply etc) and fix
onto all steps. the steps would all be the same. Is this OK in terms
of safety etc.

Just to add I would not be doing this I would be instructing a
carpenter. I just want to know what my options are and whats a good
plan of attack

Thanks

Bhupesh

bp wrote:
Lifting up the carpet I could see that the step (the bit of wood that
you stand on when climbing) is totally worn out. I would say the
stairs are the original ones from when the house was built.

[snip]

Is there a way where just the steps can be replaced?

Yes it's possible, but means virtually dismantling the existing
staircase to replace the treads. That's certainly the best way.

What the previous owner did (fixing wood on top of the worn steps) -
is that OK to do. I could use better wood (possible ply etc) and fix
onto all steps. the steps would all be the same. Is this OK in terms
of safety etc.

There's nothing really wrong with doing that, but using chipboard to do
the job is totally, utterly stupid as it's the flimsiest stuff there is.
Having said that, bear in mind that the height of the top step will
still end up lower than the others, and the bottom one will be higher.
Might not be considered safe? You need to use the hardest but thinnest
wood possible. Thinks... I wonder if you could clad them in 6mm
plywood, and then cover that with a L-shaped plate of thin aluminium to
protect the leading edge?

Just to add I would not be doing this I would be instructing a
carpenter. I just want to know what my options are and whats a good
plan of attack

I should ask for quotes for doing it both ways, compare them and decide
whether the cost difference is worth it for getting the job done properly.

David

Lobster wrote:
bp wrote:
Lifting up the carpet I could see that the step (the bit of wood that
you stand on when climbing) is totally worn out. I would say the
stairs are the original ones from when the house was built.

[snip]

Is there a way where just the steps can be replaced?

Yes it's possible, but means virtually dismantling the existing
staircase to replace the treads. That's certainly the best way.

What the previous owner did (fixing wood on top of the worn steps) -
is that OK to do. I could use better wood (possible ply etc) and fix
onto all steps. the steps would all be the same. Is this OK in terms
of safety etc.

There's nothing really wrong with doing that, but using chipboard to do
the job is totally, utterly stupid as it's the flimsiest stuff there is.
Having said that, bear in mind that the height of the top step will
still end up lower than the others, and the bottom one will be higher.
Might not be considered safe? You need to use the hardest but thinnest
wood possible. Thinks... I wonder if you could clad them in 6mm
plywood, and then cover that with a L-shaped plate of thin aluminium to
protect the leading edge?

Just to add I would not be doing this I would be instructing a
carpenter. I just want to know what my options are and whats a good
plan of attack

I should ask for quotes for doing it both ways, compare them and decide
whether the cost difference is worth it for getting the job done properly.

David

This is another case where I would unhestitingly say that MDF is the
best material for the job. IF the carpet totally covers it.
..

bp wrote:

WHat I want to know is what is the best way to fix. Do I have to
replace the whole staircase. This seems expensive.

Seems a bit excessive as well...

Is there a way where just the steps can be replaced?

Only if you have easy access to the underside of the staircase - then it
might be possible to replace the tread.

What the previous owner did (fixing wood on top of the worn steps) -
is that OK to do. I could use better wood (possible ply etc) and fix
onto all steps. the steps would all be the same. Is this OK in terms
of safety etc.

If you do it to all the stpes, and use something a bit stronger like 9mm
ply then it ought to be fine. I would route a roundover on the leading
edges to stop the corner of the step cutting into the carpet.

An extra layer of carpet underlay at the foot and head of the stairs
would eliminate most of the difference in rise to the first and last
steps without feeling too odd.



--
Cheers,

John.

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"bp" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

I live in a terraced house approx 100yrs old. I have only bought this
house a while ago

The other day I lifted up the carpet on the stairs as I have always
felt that they were not right in some way.

Lifting up the carpet I could see that the step (the bit of wood that
you stand on when climbing) is totally worn out. I would say the
stairs are the original ones from when the house was built.

Near the edges its OK (as people dont really step there), but the
middle of the step is almost totaly gone on some steps. On others it
is very badly worn.

The previous owner attempted to fix the really bad ones by screwing a
piece of wood, the same size as the step on top. Some steps have this
some dont. So as you climb, those steps with a extra peice of wood
make the step shorter to climb than others - this is the 'not quite
right feeling' I was getting.

Anyway the fix the previous owner applied does not seem that good.
The wood itslef as cracked and broken (i guess because he used
chipboard).

WHat I want to know is what is the best way to fix. Do I have to
replace the whole staircase. This seems expensive.

Is there a way where just the steps can be replaced?...

Not easily. The bit that overhangs the vertical part is called the nosing
and I would fit aluminium nosings over the existing ones. They are usually
fitted to improve grip and / or to make the nosings more visible. Being
relatively thin, all you would need to do is screw them down onto the sound
parts of the step. Although this is not a UK site, it gives a good idea of
the sort of profiles available:

http://www.ullrich-aluminium.co.nz/nosinglg.htm

Colin Bignell

On 1 Mar 2007 10:00:42 -0800, "bp" wrote:

|!Hi,
|!
|!I live in a terraced house approx 100yrs old. I have only bought this
|!house a while ago
|!
|!The other day I lifted up the carpet on the stairs as I have always
|!felt that they were not right in some way.
|!
|!Lifting up the carpet I could see that the step (the bit of wood that
|!you stand on when climbing) is totally worn out. I would say the
|!stairs are the original ones from when the house was built.

I have *seen* these repaired in historic National Trust or English Heritage
properties where perhaps half the original depth of the step, and 1/2 to
3/4 of the area, was removed and replaced with new wood to match the old,
it *looked* glued in. The final repair looked OK to me when I walked up
them, but I did not examine them closely. No idea how much it cost.
--
Dave Fawthrop dave hyphenologist co uk Compare and contrast
Sharia Law http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia
European Convention on Human Rights http://www.hri.org/docs/ECHR50.html
Then sign this petition http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Ban-Sharia

"bp" wrote in
oups.com:

Hi,

I live in a terraced house approx 100yrs old. I have only bought
this house a while ago

WHat I want to know is what is the best way to fix. Do I have to
replace the whole staircase. This seems expensive.

Is there a way where just the steps can be replaced?

As others have said, Yes it's possible to replace just the treads
and/or the nosing.

However, my own experience is that it cost the same for a repair as
for a complete replacement so get a few quotes - there are many
joinery shops which specialise in staircases, and if yours is a
standard size you will be surpised how cheap they can be.

However, given the age of the house it's likely to need a made-to-
measure job. It's also possible if the staircase is steep with narrow
treads to 'lose' one of the treads and improve things.

In my case the existing staircase was not only very worn but the
banister + balusters had been well and truly butchered in an attempt
to 'modernise' the place.

For a custom made replacement staircase (a direct copy of the
original - less one tread - including ornate decorative fretwork to
the outer (cut) string) in softwood (no MDF!) togther with softwood
sticks + hardwood rail and newels, including rails around a long
landing cost £2,050 inc VAT, including removing the old staircase and
all fitting. There are 3 newels + one half-newel. Depending on what
you need doing, I suspect you will not need to spend quite that much.

Note 1: The BCO was complimentary ("That's nice!") which is almost
unheard of

Note 2: You may find this link helpful for terminology:
http://www.stairplan.com/terminology.htm

Note 3: The site above gives a price of £199 + VAT for a bog standard
straight staircase. Told you they could be cheap!

Hope this helps

--

Richard Perkin
To email me, change the AT in the address below
richard.perkinATmyrealbox.com

It's is not, it isn't ain't, and it's it's, not its, if you mean it
is. If you don't, it's its. Then too, it's hers. It isn't her's.
It isn't our's either. It's ours, and likewise yours and theirs.
-- Oxford University Press, Edpress News

In message , Richard Perkin
writes
"bp" wrote in
roups.com:

Hi,

I live in a terraced house approx 100yrs old. I have only bought
this house a while ago

WHat I want to know is what is the best way to fix. Do I have to
replace the whole staircase. This seems expensive.

Is there a way where just the steps can be replaced?

[snip]

For a custom made replacement staircase (a direct copy of the
original - less one tread - including ornate decorative fretwork to
the outer (cut) string) in softwood (no MDF!) togther with softwood
sticks + hardwood rail and newels, including rails around a long
landing cost £2,050 inc VAT, including removing the old staircase and
all fitting. There are 3 newels + one half-newel. Depending on what
you need doing, I suspect you will not need to spend quite that much.

[snip]

Just for comparison, I've been quoted £1000 of folding for a made to
measure, single winder, MDF treads, nothing ornate, supplied and fitted.

Hth
Someone

On 2 Mar, 11:32, Richard Perkin wrote:

Note 3: The site above gives a price of £199 + VAT for a bog standard
straight staircase. Told you they could be cheap!

Hope this helps

can be a good deal cheaper if you make your own, wood is not that
expensive.


NT

Richard Perkin wrote:
Note 2: You may find this link helpful for terminology:
http://www.stairplan.com/terminology.htm

Note 3: The site above gives a price of £199 + VAT for a bog standard
straight staircase. Told you they could be cheap!

I've bought from them in the past - they were excellent. Mine was a
straight but made-to-measure staircase which was about £350 delivered
IIRC.

David

somebody wrote:

Just for comparison, I've been quoted £1000 of folding for a made to
measure, single winder, MDF treads, nothing ornate, supplied and fitted.

Cost me about £200 all in for made to measure, two quarter winders,
slightly fancy spindles, and balustrade etc.

(had to make them myself mind! ;-)


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

In message , John
Rumm writes
somebody wrote:

Just for comparison, I've been quoted £1000 of folding for a made to
measure, single winder, MDF treads, nothing ornate, supplied and fitted.

Cost me about £200 all in for made to measure, two quarter winders,
slightly fancy spindles, and balustrade etc.

(had to make them myself mind! ;-)



You *could* do mine :-)

(your experience could also come in handy with the rest of the loft
conversion while you're about!!!)

[aside]
I've got a cracker of a story about the perils of loft conversions....
give me a week or so to 'frame' it in some sort of sense and I'll spew
it all forth :-)
[/aside]

Cheers
Someone

somebody wrote:

You *could* do mine :-)

Sure... took about 7 days all in I guess by the time the balustrading
was done. So add my normal daily rate to the material costs and you
might have a deal! ;-)

(in fact, doing the stairs was actually quite a "fun" job - well worth
having a bash at)

(your experience could also come in handy with the rest of the loft
conversion while you're about!!!)

Help yourself...

[aside]
I've got a cracker of a story about the perils of loft conversions....
give me a week or so to 'frame' it in some sort of sense and I'll spew
it all forth :-)
[/aside]

Will await tales of woe then ;-)



--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/