Ok, thanks for the pics. What I'm seeing is a pretty decent square edge on the step (which is a good start) The issue you're going to have with putting a solid hardwood stair nose is the height difference between the 3/4" stair nose and the Karndean (which is substantially thinner). I understand that you considered removing some layers of flooring toward the edge of the step, in order to place the stair nose flush with the new flooring. The only potential problem with that is, once you start ripping things apart, you never know what you may find. Sometimes it's better not to open that can of worms (so to speak). Have you considered allowing the Karndean to go all the way to the edge, and then put an apron underneath (for finishing). We do this when we install new stair noses on steps, and place a decorative apron to hide the cut edge where the stair rise meets it. I'm going to show you a couple of options... That is traditionally what is used under a nosing (as long as the cut edges are covered because its rather small) Another option is to get something that covers both the rise and the flooring... like this one here, which is Antique Brass... might help with the large gaps you have in the rise on one side, plus it can help prevent slipping. Since I don't know which Karndean product you chose, I'm just trying to give you some of the best, sensible options. The last one I'll show you is a piece of trim used for windows, usually, but, like I said, we've used trim similar to this under renovated stair noses and had beautiful results. Jen, no matter what option you choose, you must remember how important it is that the stair nose is secure and solid. I really must advise against removing subfloor layers in order to make a solid 3/4" wood nosing flush with the Vinyl. In my experience, (not knowing how old your house is) there's usually a reason why someone before you, installed layer on top of layer of plywood. (and like I said earlier; that's a an of worms you probably don't want to open) If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. I hope this helped! Good Luck! The Couture Floor Company The Flooring Blog

Elephant in the Room: "...we are having a friend do the install..." This is fine with flooring (as in hallways, bedrooms, etc) but not a great idea with stairs. As everyone has said (and I will repeat myself) stairs are EXPENSIVE because they deal with CODE. A 'friend' will have to be willing to take ALL LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY should the product that s/he applies cause A. injury or B. fail code. Most friends aren't that excited to be on the hook for 'helping out'. Carpets HIDE the WORST MATERIALS in the building world. By worst I mean CHEAP and POORLY made. That NORMALLY includes OSB. OSB can be the cheapest of the cheap. It is made up of 'chips' of wood glued together with a waxy substance. The very make up of OSB PREVENTS stuff from being GLUED to the surface. Enter: Vinyl stair covering. Vinyl planks/nosing MUST BE GLUED to the stair's substrate. Imagine the substrate as the WORST OSB possible. Stairs need to be strong and meet minimum code. Builders LOVE to use the CHEAPEST MATERIALS on stairs because stairs are INHERENTLY expensive. So....save $300 on the stairs and you have $300 in your pocket (the GC/Builder). So long as stairs are DESIGNED to be carpeted the architect and builder have NO INCENTIVE to make it out of anything other than OSB. I know this is all new to you. So I will spell this out for you: your assumption about plywood (plywood is EXPENSIVE = saved for places where it is NEEDED) is, sadly, a problem. A plywood stair would be AWESOME for your situation. But I would bet dollars to doughnuts you have OSB. And the subfloor UPSTAIRS is probably going to be OSB as well (see discussion about costs of plywood). OSB does VERY WELL under carpet. Carpet can cover hills and valleys and sagging sections of the subfloor (OSB does ALL of those things and MORE). As soon as you want to put down a rigid floor (where carpet used to be) you MUST ASSUME a LOT of patch/repair. Again, this is where the COST of the repair comes in. I have told my clients to BUDGET $2-$4/sf worth of SUBFLOOR REPAIR when removing carpet. Yes. That is the same price as the vinyl planks themselves. The subfloor repair can DOUBLE the cost of your project. Now ask your friend if s/he is GOING to do the 8-16 hours worth of work to PROPERLY prepare the subfloor upstairs. This is when using a friend gets tricky. So long as you are paying them FULL MARKET VALUE for their labour/skills, your friendship will remain solid. If they are doing this for beer and pizza, then things are going to get VERY tense. I know this is new to you, so be PREPARED for MUCH BIGGER project costs than you originally anticipated. If you have to repair the upstairs subfloor AND REBUILD (remove the OSB and then lay down NEW PLYWOOD on) the stairs you are in for a MASSIVE bill. Rebuilding stairs is worth the same price of the vinyl AND the cost of labour to repair the upstairs subfloor. It runs in the THOUSANDS of dollars. Just so you know.

This is exactly what I’m worried about. What did you end up doing?

Who's on second,What's on third and I Don't Know is on first.