If you intend to paint or stain, then softwood can be a perfect choice for a skirt board. Stairs with two closed ends will have a stair skirt board on both walls. Cut the bottom line using a circular saw. Cove molding serves the same purpose as bullnose, except it has a recessed or concave curve. I square up and shim the skirt boards before I cut any treads or risers. How you gonna guarantee that you don't have a squeak in the stairs, because the tread and skirt are moving slightly differently and the tread is rubbing? Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application, ERROR: CREATE MATERIALIZED VIEW WITH DATA cannot be executed from a function. If the stairs are unfinished, see if you can detach them from the wall far enough to slide a skirt board behind. The point I was trying to make is that most of the time I do stairs, the skirt boards are already there. Your wife has good reason to be bothered by that gap. So new tread depth will be a little over 10 inches from bull nose to where tread meets riser. It also hides unsightly gaps and imperfections in the stair finishing. I want to put new treads on these stairs which are finished wood so that there is no visible gap between the end of the stair tread and the wall or skirt board. The savings was really more like 3-5 thousand on the whole job. Ceramic tile caulking, matches color and texture of tile grout but it is flexible. The cabinetry can also be shimmed up from the floor to close the gap between counter top and backsplash, however, the toe kick of base cabinets might need to be remounted flush with the floor afterwards. Your treads are particle board or fiberboard, both of which are fairly soft. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! The reason stair skirts exist is to simplify the finished look of a set of stairs. To install a skirt board before the stairs, follow these steps: If you dont prefer the look of a stair skirt, or you have a non-traditional stairway, then you have a handful of other options. The lopsided car with two busted tyres was filmed from a vehicle behind as it rolled along on its rims down a major road in Coomera on the Gold Coast last weekend. Where that paint has come off, it looks like MDF. as a separator between the drywall and the stairs, it acts as a protective layer. The skirt board bows out for some 3-4 steps in the run, following the countour of the wall. It has a far less busy look than using trim to frame around each step and is easy to work with. Question, how much gap width is too much? If the treads are open (visible) on one side, with the balusters resting in pairs on each step, then the gap is zero at the front, but wider as you approach the front of the next step, so the gap runs horizontally? This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Peoria, I'm not quite picturing where your problem is--Slateberry's answer is totally different from what I was thinking. I only brought up the "tread end gaps" because my wife was abit overboard about it. In that case, you would have a skirt board terminating at the top landing and allow your trim to run on top of the skirt board, down to the bottom of the stairs. 2) Do I use glue on the ends and glue them to the skirt? I want to put new treads on these stairs which are finished wood so that there is . Using a two-foot level, scribe a line plumb with each riser. How to Remove Scratches From Laminate Floor. Simply cut the bullnose to length with a miter saw, place it in the corner where the tread meets the riser and use a pin nail gun to fasten it in place, advises Home Decor Bliss. Skirt boards look best when they are in one single piece, unspliced. What Gary said about existing skirtboards is exactly right, they're never square and a real pain to deal with installers just do the best they can when dealing with somebody else's work. Some people prefer the skirt board to have the same height as the baseboard where they meet, while some prefer the skirtboard to sit above the existing baseboard. They are bone dry maple right at 1/16" thick and 3/4" wide. I would do as Atlantic states remove and re-cut new ones. Then I can use a gap-filling compound to fill in the gap between the treads/risers and the skirt board. This will position the rail too far back as shown in the pic. A stair tread jig (which you can make) will copy the distance and the quirks of the opening between the skirtboards. The gap may be only in the middle where it sags or has a bad cut, or along the length of the tread because it didn't fit in the first place. gap between tread and skirt board. Should I choose MDF or plywood for my false stair treads? It is the easiest and you avoid making a ton of rise/run cuts to fit over the stairs. If you do not plan to paint your board and want it to match your hardwood treads, then youll have to contact a local lumberyard. 2. Question, how much gap width is too much? This is more difficult for several reasons. Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at /works/38514553. You'll also have problems with the skirt boards if you're not careful. Given the rough treads were only 9 inches with no overhang, I'm assuming the new treads being a little more than an inch deeper is a good thing, but wanted to double check before I start gluing/screwing them in. The same steps apply to shaping the skirt board at the top as well. I will also planon shimming the risers up so they meet the bottom of each tread evenly (glue and finish nail in place) thanI will also screw the risers into the back of the tread below. Ways to Fix a Gap Between Stair Tread and Wall Method 1. 4. If you get something like construction adhesive on things make sure you have mineral spirits in a spray bottle or ketchup bottle and that same brushto wipe and scrub the stuff out of the pores. How to fix gap between carpet and wall to prevent rodent? Now, there are some professionals who prefer installing skirt boards after fixing the treads and risers. There are several important things you need to consider before you have a skirt board for your stairs. The first step is to fix the height of the skirt board. The best way to do this is to with a stair measuring tool, which lets you accurately measure the angle between the tread and the skirt board. MDF and softwood are ideal for painting, while hardwood can be finished to match hardwood stair treads. Is it correct to use "the" before "materials used in making buildings are". Alright Bob, you got me. This gap is usually either 3/4" or 1/2" in width. If you're retrofitting the trim for existing stairs in your house, then baseboard trims make a lot of sense as they don't need a gap between the wall and the stair for installation. Vinyl strips can be a great accent piece as for some houses. How to Install Wood Paneling on the Sides of Stairs, Help for Aligning Cabinets on Uneven Walls. You should also have some bone dry tapered pine shims - cedar shims are too soft for anything useful and most times they are far from dry. I did not scribe the steps, they were straight cut. The current stairs had carpet on them so the gap didn't matter. renew bosnian passport in usa. You need an accurately measured uniform gap between the drywall and the stairs for installing a skirt board. Tack the skirt board into place. The alternative to a skirt board is often baseboards that run along each tread and rise according to the shape of the stairs. The dimensions should be no less than 9-1/2" wide because the skirt must sit at least 1-1/2" above the nosing of the stairs. After cutting the base transitions, it's time to nail the skirt in place. While hardwood skirt boards can last decades without much maintenance, the upfront investment can be a tall order for many. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. What's the best material to use to fill in a 1/2" gap between drywall and stairs? I did not scribe the steps, they were straight cut. The new oak treads and risers will fit between both of the finished skirt boards (butt up to them on either end). My installer is not a big fan of caulking and for now I'm going to do nothing. Fortunately, my installer was on site today replacing the red oak tread with a matching white oak tread. In this case, you need to make sure that there are no imperfects at the joints between the stairs and the walls. Positively glue theads to stringers;I use polyurathane construction adhesive.I also glue risers to stringers.No need to glue ends. I'd then attach a quarter round or other trim so it is setting on the tread, but nailed to the skirt, to hide any gap. You can even install your stairs fully as long as you leave a 3/4 gap between the stairs and wall, which makes for an even easier install. You then need to install the 2nd riser. I agree with FreeMan about them being less durable. I'm doing the treads out of white oak and most likely will do either oak or hard maple for the skirt board. Of course it could have been better too. I screw the bottom back of the riser to the tread as I work my way up-that joint will never open. They are also generally pre-finished quite well with a white color avoiding the need to paint over them. You can use similar colored caulk at any seams to hide any other gaps. Walkout Basement Explained: Pros and Cons. The current skirt board was installed before the treads, so the treads butt up against the skirt board. When installed on the inside, i.e. You can also use plywood as stair skirting. Skirt boards are one of the hardest things in my opinion to do. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. A key aspect to consider when buying skirt board material is the length of the board. If opting for softwood lumber as your stair skirting, it will likely be pine or another softwood species that is commonly found in the framing lumber that is local to your area. Level across each tread and scribe a line on the skirt. Use a good block plane to fine tune the . There are several instances when stair skirt boards just dont make sense. I see now. Staircases are made from wood, stone, concrete, steel, glass, plastic, vinyl, or combinations of different materials. It can also help to deaden squeaks and creaking noises. You say the treads are housed--to me, that means that they fit into the stringer and trim board--your balusters do not rest on the tread, but on the side trim of the stairs in a straight diagonal line, like at the top of the railing.I was picturing the gap as being visible from the top of the tread--that it didn't fit into the trim all the way from front to back--and I couldn't see how the front could fit on every step, but not the back of each? View attachment 278543. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Reforging Glory. The risers should be the same color as all the trim. Install drip flashing on top edge of skirt board. Stair Skirtboard Choices and Alternatives [Pros Cons]. If you want to pursue this, it's typically done with a router and a template. That means you dont want to mess it up because youll be seeing the flaws in your work for many years to come, along with anyone else who spends time in your house. Most large home reno stores will have MDF, hardwood, and other types of softwood with thicknesses of and greater in stock of common lengths i.e.8, 10, or 12. This is useful if you need a narrower width for your skirting, such as 5/8 or 1/2. Skirt boards are mostly installed after the stringers are constructed. Now she's looking closer and has noticed that some of the treads have slight gaps while others do not. Can you attach some photos showing the area in concern? Remember, you will be able to push the skirt out if either the riser or tread is just a bit too long. MDF and softwood are used if the skirting board is to be painted. They'll be pretty fiddly to get a nice joint where horizontal meets vertical - you'll want cope those joints so they stay nice looking and don't open up over time. First, youll have to precisely measure the rise, run and stair nosing cuts for each stair. The last two cuts depend on the height of your baseboard trim. Hardwood Floor Inspections. In general, you should always plan for high humidity levels and anticipate that the deck boards will expand completely in wet and humid weather . This is by far the easiest and most accurate way to install a stair skirt board. Is the skirt board supposed to cover the gap between the tread and the wall? This method is faster because of no fuss risers,less fuss treads,and results in much tighter joints. Also gel stain will blend the filler into the surrounding wood better than most other stains. Attach the stair skirt board before the stairs are fully installed. Install carpeting on stairs to hide small gaps between the tread and stringer or riser. The risers should be OK remaining MDF, if that's what they're made of. I use to use a framing square and a 2 foot level to lay out directly on the skirt. Stair skirt board material should be " to " MDF, hardwood, or softwood. Stained stairs = perhaps shoe moulding or small cove moulding. Quarter round mouldings are probably one of the easiest and simplest type of trim alternative for skirt boards. You can use a board stretcher and close up the gaps. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. If you'd like to connect with me or talk about something you like at mellowpine, drop me a mail at susan@mellowpine.com, Engineered Floor Joists vs 2x10 Lumber: Compared. If you dont have baseboard trim in your house, but want a finished look on the closed end of your stairs, then youll still want a skirt board. Of course you may need more than one . If I was the contractor doing this install and came to the job to see what my men have done, there would be no second guessing about ripping those few treads out and replacing them. These lines will mark the vertical cuts for the skirt-to-baseboard transitions. Avoiding the skirt board entirely is an option as well. An instance when you would want a skirt board will be if your home has the same baseboard trim throughout the house. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. This gap is usually either 3/4" or 1/2" in width. Read the blog article for more details This is probably the fastest way to trim your stairs if you don't want a skirt board. How to follow the signal when reading the schematic? Are there tables of wastage rates for different fruit and veg? In your scenario, I'd throw temp treads on until the drywall was hung and finished. But this is your project and your home you will have to be the judge, we don't know what your talents as far as painting and staining are. I also wouldn't apply trim to either joint. btw I forgot to mention the $1,500 savings was just on the staicases. It either stands alone against the wall along the closed-end of your stairs, or you can run your regular baseboard along the top of it to create an unbroken line of trim from floor to floor. A stair tread jig (which you can make) will copy the distance and the quirks of the opening between the skirtboards. 01-05-2006, 11:07 PM. 2-7 Measuring and cutting the wall skirt. Once youve outlined your steps along your wall which will be covered up by the skirt board you can go ahead and attach your 1x material to the wall. Can I tell police to wait and call a lawyer when served with a search warrant? So the actual tread depth was9 inches (no overhang), I am replacing the rough treads with oak and factoring in a 1 inch overhang. Recently I noticed a set of stairs at a friends house that looked busy he used his regular baseboard trim to trim the entire staircase. The length depends on how long the staircase is, and the thickness also depends on your existing baseboard thickness but never less than 5/8. It's a small house with a lower basement ceiling. That's what I said to my wife! For example, 40 psf load on a 16-inch (406 mm) span would be expressed as "16/40" on the label. Extend the lowest scribe mark fully across the bottom of the skirt board with a straightedge and darken it with a pencil so you. All of your stairs wont be the exact same measurements, walls are not perfectly flat One of the things that I source out now for sure. The skirt board bows out for some 3-4 steps in the run, following the countour of the wall. And often, they are painted. Either way, a stair skirt board negates the need for individually trimming around each step. It's also easy to work with and most professionals are familiar with using it. 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If you dont have baseboards in your house, then you dont need skirting for your stairs. The biggest negative to hardwood skirt board is that it's quite expensive. I wondered if there was a better option and realized that while completing a set of stairs on your own is challenging, dressing them up and making them look finished with a stair skirt board is much easier. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! The stringers appear to but cut properly but the treads and risers have large gaps on the sides next to the skirt board, as much as 1/4 inch. It only takes a minute to sign up. Stringer Gaps 1. I would have said looks good. Valued Contributor: Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2004 6:02 pm Posts: 622 Location: Florida woodstock wrote: . Choose a color that will match the existing woodwork and pop a tube of the colored silicone into an applicator gun, instructs Greenpointe Wood Floor Supply. Other pressed board, such as plywood, also works when the veneer is used on the exposed edge. Make sure baseboards on the lower and upper floors are completed before you install skirt boards as you need to trim the ends of your skirt board to match the baseboards. The current stairs had carpet on them so the gap didn't matter. Square cut the lines on the skirt. My plan of attack was to shim between the treads and stringers to ensure that they were well-supported. Plywood resembles a pine board after a few coats of paint and is easy to cut and manipulate. Post subject: Re: gaps between solid treads & skirt boards.