skip to main content

engineered wood on stairs, adhesive problem

16 years ago

Hello all, looking for some advice on installation of our engineered Bbrazilion Cherry on the stairs. My husband custom milled the bullnose for the stairs it came out beautiful. He bought some flooring adhesive, which is the most gawd awful messy, nasty stuff, to glue the planks on the stairs. The edges of the flooring are are nailed, where it will be hidden under the trim. The problem is that the adhesive, which we are troweling on, is so thick that it makes the planks on the treads sit up just slightly higher than the bullnose, but enough to be a problem. Question is, is there another way of glueing the flooring that wouldn't be so thick, and hopefully not so terribly messy and difficult to work with.. wish it could be done with a construction adhesive and a caulking gun or something along those lines. Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

jerry_t
16 years ago
You can do this with a tube type of adhesive. I have used PL Polyurethane and PL400. Big boxes stock these.

The best I have heard is ChemRex adhesive if you can find it at a local flooring supplier.
floorguy
16 years ago
Yikes! What a mess waiting to happen!! Full trowel on steps!! I'd have the glue everywhere!!

Like Jerry said, get some glue in a caulking tube. Apply either 3 lines down the board, or a squiggly serpentine bead down the board. You don't need a whole lot of glue, as you will be blind nailing also. The stair nosings do need to be top nailed and filled, even if they are glued!!!! At least my liability insurance says they better be!!
Related Discussions
new house: engineered wood or kiln-dried lumber??
Q
Comments (8)
The issues regarding "engineered wood" and wood trusses are not the same. Trusses are always designed by an engineer but they are not usually made from "engineered wood" but dimensioned 2x4's and 2x6's with metal connectors. The term "engineered wood" is a euphemism for reconstituted wood or wood particles/strands glued together to form stronger posts, beams and I-Joists. For example, engineered flooring is finish flooring made of particle board with a wood veneer top. In the quote I don't see where your GC mentioned engineered wood. A truss only makes sense if the clear floor area is large and you don't need the attic space. Much depends on the design of the house, the climate and your needs. You should be discussing this with your architect/structural engineer.
...See More
Engineered wood over slab--can I overdo it?
Q
Comments (2)
Thanks floorguy, can you comment on the effectiveness of one system over the other? Also, I have seen physical barriers that are supposed to go over slabs in such an installation. How is it used in combination with MVP or other like substance? Here is a link that might be useful: Softseal
...See More
Does anyone have a floating engineered wood floor?
Q
Comments (8)
Marti - we have floating engineered hardwood over slab. Can you get anyone to see of you have any old plumbing buried in the slab that is leaking? This is be of the things we did. We had floating engineer wood from Summitt Forest Products. It had a nice handscraped look and none believes me when I say they are engineered. They don't look site finished but do not look like Pergo either. We had it glued near transitions to tile etc. Looks like you are stuck in analysis paralysis. Consider delegating this decision to another person who will just research and get it done and then you can move on to other things. I found that in our remodel, DH and I needed to delegate to one another a few times to take a break and get some distance. Good luck!
...See More
Engineered Hardwood Flooring Problem- New Construction- Advice needed!
Q
Comments (13)
I take it you dont have a new home warranty? (They are required where I am up in Canada, but let me tell you, that 'warranty' isnt all its cracked up to be either). If you dont have a warranty, best bet it to get a 3rd party expert (or two) and serve your builder with copies and politely ask him again to remedy. If not, pursue small claims. (Sadly these are workmanship, not code issues, or I'd suggest you sick your building inspector on him). Good luck, I get what you are saying about yoru house - I'm waiting for a new home warranty claim to be resolved - spring came and my drywall got ruined due to a water intrusion issue! The warranty rep and GC are speaking to each other, but refuse to speak to me. (I have to wait for 'paperwork to come in the mail', grrrr...)
...See More
swngdncr
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks for the advice we are nailing the nosings. next question, what to do about treads that are already down. they can't stay as is. hubby suggests sanding and re - finishing, the problems with that are obvious. how hard will it be to remove the planks on the treads and what is the easiest way to do it? there are probably four that need to be fixed. two look like they are okay. how do you get the glue off the plywood stairs?
patches123
16 years ago
One of the experts may know better, but I would use a small prybar very slowly and gently to pry the pieces up. Then you can use a chisel to remove glue residue.
swngdncr
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you... and yes... I Did it! I managed to pry off the bullnose pieces without touching the planks, and only one of the bullnose pieces cracked a little. I think some good wood glue and clamps will take care of that. What I did was put a small piece of of the flooring set vertically underneath the end of the bullnose. Put a pry bar underneath it and gentle and with patience pried pushing up the bullnose along the front edge, little by little until the bond with the glue broke, and then I started to hear the nails creak as they came up.

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES When to Use Engineered Wood Floors

See why an engineered wood floor could be your best choice (and no one will know but you)

REMODELING GUIDES The Hidden Problems in Old Houses

By Matt Clawson

Before snatching up an old home, get to know what you’re in for by understanding the potential horrors that lurk below the surface

ECLECTIC HOMES Houzz Tour: Problem Solving on a Sloped Lot in Austin

By Matthew Ankeny

A tricky lot and a big oak tree make building a family’s new home a Texas-size adventure

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Counters: Stunning, Easy-Care Engineered Quartz

By Ivon Street Studio

There's a lot to like about this durable blend of quartz and resin for kitchen countertops, and the downsides are minimal

REMODELING GUIDES Light Wood vs Dark Wood

By Margaret Everton

See What Shades of Wood Can Do for a Space

STAIRWAYS The Upstairs-Downstairs Connection: Picking the Right Stair Treatment

By Laura Gaskill

Carpeting, runner or bare wood? Check out these ideas for matching your staircase floor treatment to upstairs and downstairs flooring

REMODELING GUIDES Your Floor: An Introduction to Solid-Plank Wood Floors

Get the Pros and Cons of Oak, Ash, Pine, Maple and Solid Bamboo

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Wild for Wood in Central Texas

By Mitchell Parker

Mesquite, cherry and white oak harmonize beautifully in an Austin family's warm and modern home

REMODELING GUIDES Laminate Floors: Get the Look of Wood (and More) for Less

See what goes into laminate flooring and why you just might want to choose it

MATERIALS What to Ask Before Choosing a Hardwood Floor

By Mitchell Parker

We give you the details on cost, installation, wood varieties and more to help you pick the right hardwood flooring

Sponsored

More Discussions

Classic Grey turned out too red. Help

18

What type of oak is this?

6

floors for natural hickory cabinets?

7

Laminate ... wood grain or tile look

2

Do I need to water pop hardwoods if I like the stain already without w

4