skip to main content

Remodeling Flooring Design Dilemma

Step height issue on flooring/stair replacement

2 years ago

We are redoing the floors on the 1st level of our home, including the stairs up to the 2nd level. The existing floors (3/4” solid hardwood) have been removed and new floors (5/8” engineered hardwood) are replacing them. Our installer wants to install nosing/hardwood over the existing treads as the way to redo the steps. This would make the stairs outside of that 3/8” tolerance with the top and bottom step being about 3/4” different height than the other steps. He is not concerned about this at all, says they do it this way all the time, but I need some additional input. I would prefer to have the new wood on the stairs and not sand/stain them since it won’t be a perfect match, the wood types are different and the factory finish I feel like will hold up better over time, but safety is paramount here as well as passing our final inspection. Removing the existing treads is not in the budget for this so looking for some outlook on what to make of this. Thanks!

Comments (3)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
2 years ago
I’m sure he does do that all the time (RED FLAG! RED FLAG!) so you need a different flooring person. What he is proposing violates code and is unsafe. Can your existing wood treads be refinished to match?
Chris
Original Author
2 years ago
We have another company lined up that is proposing to sand and refinish to match the color on the existing treads, with white risers. The treads are pine (i think) and the new flooring is white oak with a matte, wire brush finish. They say it will not be an issue to match them close enough (the white risers also help to give us some separation and that its the only correct way to do it without reengineering the whole stairs. Prolly my best bet to go with them
Related Discussions
dishwasher height & flooring issue
Q
Comments (9)
Taylor, not running the flooring under the dishwasher makes it difficult/impossible to remove for repair or replacement. But running it under the DW causes this issue. For example, before redoing the floor, there was 36" from floor to underside of counter. Adding 1" of tile to the floor makes the space from floor to counter only 35". If your dishwasher was 35.5" high, it will no longer fit. Or if you have a 35" dishwasher, no problem. But then if you have to replace the DW, you're limited to ones that fit in 35" or less.
...See More
Do I need to replace flooring on landing when I redo stairs?
Q
Comments (3)
i have a runner in my second floor hall... the front stairs has the runner continue down, the back stairs is just 150 year old bare pine. its very disconcerting stepping from carpet directly down to bare step, to the extent that my husband wont ever go down the back stairs. are you going to do a runner on your stairs? it makes it a bit easier to tie into the top. otherwise, remove the carpet back to some hardwood at the top. you need to expose around the railing too, for a nice wooden shoe that matches the rest of the stairs, otherwise you'll have to revisit wood stair work again. (fwiw, it hurts a lot less to fall on a runner than on a bare stairs. cracks fewer ribs, too.)
...See More
Stair riser issue
Q
Comments (12)
Well i nor anyone else has noticed they were different heights. im not sure why the hardwood guys just put new treads in they did a really good job on the rest of the floors in the home just seems like those got the whatever treatment. i still owe him $500 which he hasnt asked for since i brought it up, but yea not exactly pleased with the end result on those stairs since the caps are glued…
...See More
How to get a manufacturer to replace a Floor with QC issues
Q
Comments (0)
The engineered floors through Saltbox are terrible floors! We have had the worse time of having the local company we purchased them through a little over a year ago to take care of the quality issues- which surfaced immediately after being installed. We had always wanted solid wood floors, but were sold on the engineered wood floors because they are supposedly better. Some boards were different heights so the store removed boards and glued replacements to the subfloor. One board is delaminating. We have cracks that run the same pattern as the wood grain on boards that are not in a walk zone. splinters and gauges. Note that the two cracked areas shown have sharp edges. Saltbox either has completely poor quality or there are issues with this particular floor? Either way- we should not have to fight to have something done about it. Please be forewarned about the quality issues.
...See More
PRO
Mint tile Minneapolis
2 years ago
you need the company that gets the run and rise CORRECT #fullstop. when a staircase is in compliance, you cannot replace flooring or treads w dif thickness w/o replacing it all .

Best to look at your local juristictions/ IRC staircase specs and engage your spidey senses about your current prospective hire(s)

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

ENTRYWAYS Steps and Stairs Elevate Modern Exterior Entryways

Gently sloped or at a sharper angle, modern ascents on a home's entrance serve both architectural and aesthetic purposes

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR HOUSE Step Right Up: Expressing Movement on Modern Stairs

Seeing a person on a staircase changes our perception of the design

BATHROOM WORKBOOK A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Your Bathroom Vanity

Here are six decisions to make with your pro to get the best vanity layout, look and features for your needs

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

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

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

CURB APPEAL A New Stepped Entry Glows With Style

By Becky Harris

Rotting stairs and leaky windows lead to an inviting new facade that welcomes with light

Stair Flair: Staircases Unlike Any Other

By Shawn Gauthier

Make Each Step Count with Tiles, Paint, and Unique Materials

ARCHITECTURE 5 Questions to Ask Before Committing to an Open Floor Plan

By Becky Harris

Wide-open spaces are wonderful, but there are important functional issues to consider before taking down the walls

DECORATING GUIDES Pro Tips for Choosing the Perfect Hallway Flooring

By Sarah Alcroft

Wondering which material will work hard, look wonderful and last well in your hall? Step this way

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Install a New Tile Floor

By Erin Carlyle

Is it time to replace your tile floor? Here’s how to get it done, which pros to call and what it will cost

Sponsored

Winks Remodeling & Handyman Services

1 Review

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County

More Discussions

What's the safest countertop option for giant island overhang?

25

Does MSI Calacatta Izaro or Verona work with my white / grey cabniets?

17

so thinking of doing Kraftmaid Canvas White with cinder highlights

4

Kitchen Remodel 1st Timer Help

1

vented sidelites

6