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Home Repair Flooring Design Dilemma

Gaps in btwn stairs after pulling carpet

2 years ago

Hello,

i have started pulling my carpet on the stairs to replace with Vinyl. As I started, I noticed the close to one inch gap on each side of the stairs. I was wondering what would be the best way to fix this?

Featured Answer

Denise Marchand

2 years ago

If you install stringer skirting it will take care of the gap as it seems it was removed to install the carpeting. It's usually a 1/2" or 3'/4" thick wood along the wall with an edge molding. Here are some pics and a site. https://knostairs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Skirting-molding-up-flight.jpg

You also should install cove/edge molding under the tread (see below). If you want something simple for a molding, there are several you can choose. These details will make your stair look finished with nice details.

"a" is the tread. "b" is the cove/edge molding.

Comments (9)

PRO
JAN MOYER
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
They need to be replaced/rebuilt. They are sagging, and I doubt they even meet code. Do not attempt LVP over them as is. Looks as though someone already messed with them, in some home Joe attempt at a fix.
HU-325642543 thanked JAN MOYER
ksc36
2 years ago
It is common to frame stairs with a gap so the sheetrock and skirt board can be slipped past the stringers. Never listen to "some home Jan" when dealing with construction questions (never post construction questions in Design Dilemma). I'd suggest finishing with pine risers/skirts and oak/pine treads.

When finished with the hard part, you can post in Design Dilemma and get suggestions on what color stain and paint might look good...
HU-325642543 thanked ksc36
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daisy~Love your blog! Very helpful, thanks so much for linking to it here. I noticed you mentioned something about low slip finish, please elaborate. skypathway~Thanks for starting this thread, please keep us posted on your progress. I got a verbal estimate of $300-$400 minimum for both berber and new cut-pile carpet, inc. padding and installation. Since you have to remove carpet to replace carpet, I guess I could decide what to do when that happens. It looks like (although looks can be deceiving) we might be able to just remove the carpet and padding, patch and paint the risers and polish the treads. As one option. I am still very concerned about slipping. I am not sure-footed anyway, and am presently suffering from a foot injury. I have a cat, and little ones always on my stairs (kids, not babies). I do remember my grandparent's had slippery wood steps. I am not fond of laundry baskets and stairs, have two sets of stairs to navigate in order to do the wash.
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I pulled up all the carpet on the stairs but not in the hallway yet..that will probably happen this weekend as the railing is going to be replaced on Saturday. one of the steps to see if that would help and it seems ok. I found the holes from the tac strips aren't bad because they're tucked away at the sides/ends. ANd they didn't seem to leave the rough edges that the staples did. There wsn't any glue under our tac strips. DO you have pics?
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My carpeted stairs were one thing in this house I hated when we bought it. It was a good grade carpet but it was cream colored and impossible to keep looking clean. It became as worn from vacuuming and cleaning as it did from use. Our main floor was hardwood but the upstairs rooms had that same carpet. Since it was new when we bought and other things were priorities - time and money-wise - I lived with it for 12 years. When we remodeled the kitchen in 2014 we had the same flooring person who refinished the downstairs install wood upstairs & on the stairway. Best thing we've ever done to this home. My dogs were familiar with bare wood stairs because we have them in our lake place. They trod a bit more gingerly the first week or so, but adjusted quickly. Obviously, there's more sound than with carpet. But even when we have guests with kids who stay with us I don't find it bad. The one thing I'd caution about is if you wear just socks in the house, it can be slippery. We wear slippers in winter & sandals designated for indoor wear only in summertime. Cost-wise, like anything else you do in your home, I would want to hire someone who is reputable and does quality work. You don't have to break the bank, but consider you're talking about a permanent fixture of your home.
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Denise Marchand
2 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpFZk6S2Ezg
HU-325642543 thanked Denise Marchand
Denise Marchand
2 years ago
Here's another good site for stair trim ideas both traditional and modern:

https://nextluxury.com/home-design/stair-trim-ideas/
HU-325642543 thanked Denise Marchand
HU-867564120
2 years ago
The stairs were never finished, they are in the rough as-framed condition. Carpeting was the cheapest/fastest way to give them a finished look. Now you have to decide which way to go, re-carpet, finish with hardwood, etc.
HU-325642543 thanked HU-867564120
HU-325642543
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you all for your input! Denise, I was thinking the skirt molding would be a good option prior to posting.. this is turning into a bigger project then I can take on. Might need to hire someone! Thanks again!
Angel 18432
2 years ago
Just recarpet, paint the walls and be done with it unless you want to spend a whole lot of money.
Denise Marchand
2 years ago
The YouTube video will show you how much is involved. It's not very hard, but I am sure you can find a handyman to finish it. It eon't be expensive. It's satisfying to know it's a job well done. I'm in LA and when I need something like that done-a simple finishing job-I ride around to a construction site and talk to the guys. Haha. It gets done quick, professionally, and not too expensive. Or go on your local Angie's List.

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