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Can You Put Hardwood on Stairs? (How To)

Changing the look of your home can be as easy as installing hardwood on surfaces that seem drab to you. If you are wanting to change the appearance of your stairs, then installing hardwood could be a good option. Your stairs get a lot of traffic every day, and you will want to ensure that whatever you do is done properly.

You can install hardwood over your stairs as long as you have all the right materials, have prepared well, and know what steps to follow. Hardwood installation can be an easy process and you should be able to accomplish it on your own as long as you know where to begin.

Wood for stairs

Hardwood can be one of the best materials you can put over stairs. It is a stable and sturdy surface that will hold up well over time to a lot of foot traffic. You can install hardwood over stairs as long as you measure correctly and install the wood properly.

Should You Put Hardwood on Stairs? 

Wood for stairs

Whether or not you should put hardwood on stairs depends entirely on whether or not you have made all the proper preparations. Hardwood is a great material to cover your stairs in, but a lot goes into the installation. You will want to ensure you have gathered all the right materials and prepared well beforehand.

Hardwood flooring is a stable surface that will last a long time on your stairs. Stairs get a lot of foot traffic, and you want to cover them with a sturdy material that will last.

If you want to change the appearance of your stairs, you should consider installing hardwood over them. You will need to prepare well and gather the right materials, but with the right attention to detail, you should be able to complete this project independently.

What Tools Do You Need to Put Hardwood on Stairs?

tools for stairs

Having the right tools will be imperative to your success throughout this DIY project. You cannot achieve professional-looking results without having the proper equipment. You can consider beginning your DIY project if you have all the right tools.

You can install hardwood floors over your stairs with all the suitable materials. Before you begin, you need to prepare your area with a saw, a measuring tape, a pencil, a hammer, a knife, a bevel tool, spacers, and a tapping block. 

Having the right tools is going to make a huge difference when it comes to the success of your project. You can make your stairs look as though a professional has completed the work as long as you do your research and gather the proper equipment to get the job done right.

What Preparations Do You Need to Put Hardwood on Stairs?

Wooden flooring

Making the proper preparations is necessary before you begin any DIY project. You should always take your time and prepare your area well. Preparing your stairs before installing your hardwood flooring over the surface would be best.

In order to successfully install hardwood flooring over stairs, you need to prepare your area by stripping your stairs of anything that could impede your progress. Remove any carpeting and clean and dry your area well. You do not want any moisture or debris caught underneath your hardwood flooring.

You need to remove any existing materials like carpeting before you install your hardwood flooring. Once the carpeting is removed, you can thoroughly clean and dry your area. You need to be diligent in the cleaning and drying of the area because if any moisture gets trapped under the hardwood it could cause warping and damage over time.

How to Put Hardwood on Stairs?

confused man standing

You need to make sure that you completely understand how to install hardwood flooring over your stairs before you begin the process. Following the proper steps will ensure your success throughout the progress of this DIY project. If you follow the appropriate steps, gather all the right materials, and prepare your area well, you should be happy with the results of your project.

Remove existing carpet and clean and dry your area well. Install risers and stringers to the front and sides of the stairs using wood nails. Measure out your wood and cut it to size. Finally, install the planks to the surface of your stairs using nails, then sand and finish the wood to your liking.

The first thing you should do is remove any carpeting or any material that might impede the progress of your wood flooring installation. Then clean and dry your area thoroughly. You do not want to risk getting moisture trapped under your wood. This could cause warping and damage over time.

Next, you should measure your planks and cut them to size. Once your planks are measured and cut, you can install the risers and stringers to the front and side of each stair using nails. You can then install planks to the surface of your stairs using nails to secure them. 

Once your wood flooring is in place, you can sand and finish the wood to your liking. 

DIY projects do not have to be overwhelming. All you need to do is prepare well, gather all the right tools, and ensure you understand the right steps to get your desired results.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 27, 2022.

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