Long Farm and Furniture

Stair Tread and Railing Upgrade Process

This is the build of my stairway upgrade. This was one of the most complex in-place carpentry projects I have completed. I had to work out several issues through research and with the help of a friend.

The oak treads were structurally sound, but I added the tread covers to bring the stair heights into compliance with the hard flooring. The original height was for carpet. It was also an opportunity to upgrade the look of the stairwell and match it with the rest of the main floor.

The stringer cover creation was a challenge as well. I used hot glue to create a template in place, used that to make a hardboard template, then use that to make the MDF stringer cover.

Overall, I believe the end result was worth the work. Not only does it look better, it is a much sturdier railing with proper heights and gaps.

The plastic latice was a temporary solution to keep small kids from going through it. Temporary lasted about six years...

Click here to see the finished project!

Oak stair treads and risers with white trim and brown wall

1970s stair ballusters attached to oak treads and risers

Oak stair treads and risers with white trim and brown wall

Tile floor stairway landing

Notched out oak stair tread for old balluster attachment

Filler block for notched out oak stair tread

Cardboard template for stair stringer cover

Cardboard template for stair stringer cover

Hardboard template for stair stringer cover

Cutting MDF stair stringer cover from hardboard template

MDF stair stringer cover under construction

Back cutting stair stringer template with Bosch router and Festool Mini CT

MDF Stair stringer cover installation

Gluing down stair tread cover with clamps and sandbags

Dark oak stair tread cover with return

Dark oak stair tread covers with returns and white trim

Attaching stair handrail return with dominos

Stair handrail return attached

Craftsman style newel posts stained with golden oak and Minwax polyurethane

Installation of craftsman style newel post

Newel post installation lug dark oak floor

Installation of craftsman style newel post

Installation of craftsman style newel post on corner of stair stringer

Installation of craftsman style newel posts with handrails

Installation of craftsman style newel posts with handrails

Installation of craftsman style newel posts with handrails

Custom oak foot rail for metal ballusters

Using Bosch GPL100-30G laser to make plumb marks for ballusters

Installed hardie backer on stairwell landing

Stone look porcelain tile installation on stair landing

Stone look porcelain tile installation on stair landing

Stair riser trim with dark oak treads and metal ballusters

Base trim for craftsman style newel post

Base trim for craftsman style newel post

Stone look porcelain tile on stair landing with white trim and brown wall

Stone look porcelain tile on stair landing with white trim and brown wall

Trim returns for stair landing stone look porcelain tile

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