Laminate flooring is a versatile option that can quickly transform the entire look of a room. Not only is laminate durable and readily available, but it comes in a wide array of patterns and colors, as well as various price ranges. Despite all the benefits that laminate flooring provides, you may be second guessing whether or not you can put laminate flooring on stairs.
Laminate flooring can be installed on stairs, and the entire process is relatively easy and something most homeowners can tackle themselves. With that said, however, you shouldn’t install laminate flooring over stairs that are damaged, warped, or cracked as this can lead to a tripping hazard.
What’s even better is that some laminate flooring is considered “stick-on” laminate. This type of laminate comes with adhesive already applied to the back of the plank. This type of laminate flooring can be installed without additional adhesive, screws, or nails, and it is a great option if you want to quickly cover a surface.
Should You Put Laminate Flooring On Stairs?
Even if you can put laminate flooring on stairs, the real question is, should you install laminate flooring on your stairs? Let’s take a look at whether or not installing laminate flooring on stairs is a good idea, and if there are any problems that you should look out for.
You should put laminate flooring on stairs, if you want to improve the overall look of the staircase. However, not all stairs are suitable for the installation. Any stairs that are damaged will need to be repaired before you can apply the laminate flooring.
If you try to install laminate flooring over damaged stairs, you reduce the lifespan of the flooring, while also increasing the chance of an accident occurring.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Laminate Flooring On Stairs?
One of the benefits of installing laminate flooring is that it doesn’t require many tools and the ones that are needed you probably have on hand right at this moment.
The most common tools needed to install laminate flooring on steps include a drill, screwdriver, wood screws, claw hammer, construction adhesive, tape measure, pencil, putty knife, and putty. Remember that these are just suggested tools and you may need other tools depending on your situation.
Remember that not every single situation warrants the exact same tools. Some people may not need a screwdriver and screws if they are using self-adhesive laminate flooring. They would only need additional adhesive to help secure the pieces to the stairs. On the flip side, you may need more tools than what is listed above. For example, if the stairs were previously covered with carpet, you may need a scraper to help remove the old carpeting and its adhesive.
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Laminate Flooring On Stairs?
Before you can install laminate flooring on stairs, you will need to properly prepare the surface. This helps ensure the laminate properly adheres to the stairs and doesn’t result in a trip hazard.
Before you can install the laminate flooring, the stairs will need to be fixed if there is any damage. Furthermore, if there is carpeting or any other type of covering on the stairs, it will need to be removed and adhesive or protruding nails will need to be addressed.
A paint scrapper can help remove peeling paint and stuck-on adhesive. As for any protruding nails, you can try to pull them out of the stairs if they are not important, or hammer them back into the wood. Once all of these issues are taken care of, give the entire stairs a good cleaning with TSP and lukewarm water.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on January 8, 2023.
How To Put Laminate Flooring On Stairs
Now that you know a bit more about whether or not you should install laminate flooring on the stairs, as well as what preparation needs to be done, let’s dive into how to properly install the laminate.
To install laminate flooring on stairs, you will need to cut the laminate piece to shape, install the tread pieces with construction adhesive, position the risers in place, install the stair nosing with the adhesive, attach the riser pieces, and then fill in the screw holes with putty.
If your stairs have an overhang, it will need to be removed before you can install the laminate flooring. This may require cutting it away from the stairs with a saw. Another option is to leave the overhang but attach a piece of plywood to the riser. This will fill in the space underneath.
Installing an underlay is often thought of as an optional step, but it should really be installed since it helps to muffle the natural sounds that occur when walking up and down the stairs. The underlay needs to be installed before the laminate flooring.
Each stair will need three pieces of laminate flooring. These include the tread piece, riser piece, and stair nosing. The tread piece sits at the top of each step, the riser sits vertically at the front of each step, and the stair nosing, which is also called the trim, hangs over the front of each step. These pieces need to be measured and then cut to size to fit the step.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on January 8, 2023.
Once they have been measured and cut, lay the tread using construction adhesive. Once the tread is installed, attach the riser with the adhesive, and then install the nosing. Continue in this manner until all steps have been laminated. Wait at least 12 hours, but preferably 24 hours, before walking on the steps.