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Replacing stair treads

16 years ago

We are thinking of removing the carpet on our stairs and replacing the treads (which are proabably pine) with oak treads. There are 13 treads and the staircase is straight, the first 3 steps will require some form of molding at the left edge. I live in the south and at the risk of asking an impossible question, what would one generally pay, on a per step basis to get this installed (not counting the staining)? Is there anything to watch out for in selecting the oak tread? What about imported treads (from China) ?

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Comments (2)

User
16 years ago
Go to a real lumberyard---not Home Depot/Lowe's/Menards/etc. The yard will had at least two sizes---by length----to minimize waste. Here in Kansas City, oak stair treads start at $26. The leading edges of treads have a bullnosed profile. That profile is quite simple to do on the ends with a router and roundover bit.

There is often more to that job than simply removing the old treads and installing the new. Depending on how the old treads were installed, for instance. There is also the height of each step to consider---as that is an extremely important part of a stairway. Normal height is 7" or so, there is a variance allowed by the building codes.

The risers(the vertical parts of the stairs) may need to be removed to take off the old treads. That can easily damage them and then new risers are necessary.

To install risers, I drill holes---generally three for each stringer(the sawtoothed supports for the stairs)put rosin paper over the stringers(to eliminate squeaks) and use #10 screws at least 3" long to install each tread. I then use the plugs I made, using scraps from the treads, to fill the screw holes---carefully aligning the grain pattern. Sand them smooth, apply stain, and then finish. Takes a day to do the installation and staining, and three trips in three days to apply the finish(to allow drying time).

For a simple stair such as yours, one man, one day and three trips---I'd charge $350 for labor if there were no complications. But, I run a retirement5 remodeling business---more something to keep me busy than to earn a living.
axg9504
Original Author
16 years ago
handymac I wish I were in Kansas. I have an estimate of 2500 to do just the work you describe without the staining (includes the lumber). Around here there's still a building boom so it's not a buyer's market. Thank you for the info.
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Most lumberyard stair treads are 1&1/8" thick. Two by lumber is 1&1/2" thick. Using a different thickness tread on one step could easily create a tripping hazard. Go to a lumber yard and ask them to find(cut) you a piece of wood---inexpensive oak or ash or poplar) to the correct length/width/thickness. They will charge extra, but it will be the correct size replacement.
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;-P I know...The ONLY thing I can think of for this is the wood stove is too close to the stairs/landing to use a WOODEN railing. The wood being too close could be a fire hazard. Therefore the previous owner decided to forego the safety aspect of the stairs for the warmth factor of the stove. Insane but we've all seen what happens when people get what they want vs what is needed....which was to scooch the stove to the right by a few feet. The hearth and the stone wall certainly could handle it. As they say, "There's no fix for stupid." Congrats on your home. Let us know if there is anything else we can help with.
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No carpeting. We considered a runner - but with the starter stair so much would be exposed anyways I don’t think it’s going to make a difference. I’ve looked at a lot of pine and it seems like if done correctly it can look very nice. We have decided to not spend nearly 5 grand for them to rip up our stairs for oak treads and instead see how they wear for a few years. Every cite I look shows that interior stairs can be replaced for 5 ish grand. So I don’t see me paying that today and being no better off.
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