Installing Laminate Flooring on Stairs

Create the uniformed look in your home by adding laminate to the stairs as well! If you’re going to install on stairs, factor that into your total square footage. Count the number of stair treads and risers to determine the number of extra planks you will need.

Follow the same preparation instructions as you would a laminate installation. No underlayment is needed for a stair installation. If your flooring has underlayment attached, it is recommended to remove the underlayment prior to installing the flooring on the stairs.

Installation Instructions

  1. Properly prepare your subfloor – removing, repairing and cleaning
  2. Acclimatize your floor
  3. Gather your tools and supplies
    • Prepare your subfloor – remove all carpet, tacks , etc. on there and repair any damaged stairs
    • Gather your tools and supplies
    • Laminate Flooring
    • Safety goggles/glasses
    • A Dust Mask
    • Measuring Tape
    • Carpenter’s Square
    • Utility Knife
    • A Saw. This can be a miter saw, power saw with dust collector, circular saw with 60-tooth carbide tipped blade, a power jigsaw, a handsaw or a laminate specific cutter (will only cut straight edges).
    • Hand Saw
    • Universal Installation Kit
    • Broom & Dustpan
    • Stair Nose Moldings
  4. If you have a wooden lip on your stairs, it is recommended that the lip be cut off to create a 90 degree angle from thread to riser. Use a jigsaw to cut the lip off.
  5. Begin your installation at the top of the stairs and work your way down.
  6. Measure the length of the top stair tread. This will vary depending on walls and flooring installation on the floor. If you’re using a stair nose, you will need to measure the distance from the riser (or flooring installed/laminate install continuation)  to the stair nose and the length of the steps. Place the stair nose where it will be installed to get this measurement. Remember, the tongue will be connecting into the stair nose groove.
  7. Cut the piece to size, both width and length, eliminating the groove side. It is important to make straight lines, as generally speaking, stairs do not have a molding on the edges. *Cut planks in a separate area to avoid lots of dust.
  8. Fit piece to the thread. Ensure a snug fit.
  9. Measure the rest of the stair threads to cut all at the beginning. You will be working stair by stair, so it is good to have the boards cut ahead of time.
  10. Now it is time to fit the riser. You will notice the stair nose will hang over the edge of the stairs.
  11. Place a cut thread laminate plank on the step below the one you are installing (this should be cut to precision). Apply adhesive to the thread and glue to the subfloor. Measure the space between the laminate plank and top of the riser. The stair nose will overlap this.
  12. Mark the measurement carefully. Both edges of the laminate will be cut for the risers. Cut the plank to size.
  13. Fit the riser in by lifting the stair nose and attached thread.
  14. Apply construction adhesive to the back side of the laminate riser. Lining it up on top of the below piece of laminate and with the top of the thread. Apply pressure to adhere the riser.
  15. Apply construction grade adhesive to the back side of the laminate thread piece on the top stair. Fitting the stair nose to overlap the riser, gently press the laminate onto the subfloor.
  16. Continue onto the next step following these instructions.
  17. If installing over a wooden stair, you can finish the stair nose with 6d finishing nails or screws to fasten the molding into the subfloor. Cover the holes with matching floor putty.
  18. On the last step, you can apply a quarter-round molding between the riser and flooring.

Stair Nose Molding Instructions

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