Building my own stair treads
#1
03-08-16, 06:31 PM
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Plymouth, MA
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Building my own stair treads
Would strips of 5/4 or 3/4" pine glued together make for solid stair treads? Not a fan of the look of one plain 1x10 pine board nor do I want to spend a fortune on oak treads. I'm considering going with 2X10 lumber for a beefy look to the treads, but prefer something like 5/4 thickness, if I can glue together strips for the strength. I'd love to hear any suggestions or experience from others who have made their own stair treads.
(this is for a finished basement stairwell, nothing overly fancy).
(this is for a finished basement stairwell, nothing overly fancy).
#2
03-08-16, 06:41 PM
I don't understand what you don't like about the pine stair treads. If you make your own, that's exactly what you will have. Locating 5/4 boards that aren't pressure treated may be a task and a premium as compared to the stock pine treads. Using 2x lumber you will find using a 2x12 more in line with the proper tread depth. The only drawback to using 2x lumber is you will alter the 7 3/8" optimum rise needed at each step.
#3
03-08-16, 06:50 PM
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Is this an exterior stairwell, or an interior stair? Pine stair treads can be found most anywhere, why go through the hastle of trying to recreate the same animal you can buy at the box store?
#5
03-08-16, 06:56 PM
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Well, I thought treads made up of glued together 3.5" strips of pine would look more interesting than the plain wide plank. I was just wondering of something like that would ultimately be stronger than one board.
As for the dimensions- these are old steep and narrow stairs, far from modern code, due to the age of my house. I'm just replacing the treads which are shot.
As for the dimensions- these are old steep and narrow stairs, far from modern code, due to the age of my house. I'm just replacing the treads which are shot.
#6
03-08-16, 07:04 PM
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Yes, however the thing is, my stair well is narrow, fairly narrower than the standard lengths the storebought treads are, that I feel like I would be wasting a lot with cut tread scraps. Thus going with a long board of stock and cutting treads to size from it. And then routing the edges, I thought overall would be more cost effective.
#7
03-08-16, 07:10 PM
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The 5/4 pine treads that you can buy are glued up boards. Do what you like. You will need a lot of clamps unless you plan to make them one at a time over the course of several days. You will also need to run them through a thickness planer after you have them glued up.
#8
03-08-16, 07:23 PM
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#9
03-09-16, 03:47 AM
I would add that if you prefinish the treads prior to installation it will save you time and reduce the time that the stairs are out of operation. The final coat of poly should always be applied after installation.
