Stair Tread Installation

Hello ladies and gentlemen!

Today's lesson will teach you how to install non slip stair treads (or stair nosing) on an existing staircase. The process is quite simple if you're used to using power tools and a measuring tape.

Before we begin, here is a list of tools and stair parts you will need to complete this project:

• Tape Measure
  
• Caulk gun
• Glue adhesive tube - or - silicone caulk for outdoor installations
  
• Power drill and drill bits
• Screwdriver (or screwdriver drill bit)
• Screws:
  • Concrete stairs will require 1/4" x 1 3/4" stainless steel concrete anchors
  • Steel stairways will require 1/4" x 1" self-tapping floor screws
  • Wooden stairs will require 1/4" x 1 1/4" stainless steel wood screws
• Non-slip stair treads (equal to # of steps in your staircase)

Now that we have gathered our equipment, let's do this thing!

The first thing you'll need to do is measure your steps. Using your tape measure, determine the width and depth (pictured in the image above) of each step. You will need these dimensions when it comes time to shop for your new stair treads.

Assuming your stairs were crafted by a professional who took pride in his/ her work, you should only have to measure one step. Every other stair should be the same dimension, however, if you're not 100% comfortable with the assumption, then please measure each step individually.

This is the fun part! You can find a variety of stair treads at your local hardware superstore. These safety stair parts come in a variety of materials: metal stair treads, cast concrete stair treads, carpet stair treads, and even glow-in-the-dark stair treads. All of them primarily serve the same purpose; to add aesthetic appeal, as well as increasing pedestrian safety.

There are numerous online retailers who can cut custom stair treads according to the measurements you've taken. This is my recommendation because the array of products available are vast, as opposed to retail stores whose inventory may be limited. Shopping online will allow you to fully customize your staircase's look.

After you've purchased your new set of stair treads or received them on your doorstep, it's time to officially begin the installation process.

Gather your drill, drill bits, screws/ anchors, caulk adhesive, and tread pieces. My preference is to work on one step at a time, from top to bottom. The reason for this is simply that it's easier to move down the stairs than up the stairs (especially with old, squeaky knees like mine!)

Flip over your first tread or nosing so you are looking at its underside. Using your caulk gun and adhesive, apply a thin line of caulk around each pre-drilled hole, then make a nice squiggle through the middle. For extra security, you can make a caulk outline around the perimeter of the underside as well.

Once adhesive has been applied to the tread backing, turn it over and carefully place it in position on your stair. Grab your power drill and the appropriate drill bit (one size smaller than that of your screw or anchor).

Utilizing each of the pre-drilled holes of your stair tread as a guide, drill a hole for which your anchor will be screwed. This is referred to as a "pilot hole".

Once all of the pilot holes have been made, it's now time to anchor your tread in place. Using a screwdriver or your power drill equipped with a screwdriver bit, screw your stair treads down into the stair. Take extra care when screwing so as not to snap your mounting hardware. (That would create a very big headache which maybe we'll cover in another Instructable!)

Repeat the previous instructions until all stairs have been equipped with its own anti-slip tread.

If you've managed to follow each and every one of these steps coupled with their expertly photoshopped illustrations (hehe!), you'll have a custom designed staircase and a "did-it-yourself" project to brag about!

Thanks for taking the time to read my first Instructable! Remember to "favorite" it so you can always have these instructions on-hand. If you require additional information on stair treads and nosing, check out this YouTube channel.

Stay tuned for more DIY ideas!