Install Bamboo Flooring on Stairs in 6 Steps

Bamboo flooring is one of the most beautiful and popular flooring types in the world today. It is used in a variety of different situations and applications. Many people are now installing bamboo flooring on staircases as well. Here are the basics of how to install bamboo flooring on stairs.

1. Estimate

You will need to start the process by estimating the materials that you will need. When estimating the job, you want to take your time and make sure that you have accounted for everything. There is nothing worse than getting halfway through a job and realizing that you are going to need more materials. When you go back to the store and order more of what you need, it might take weeks to get to you. Take your tape measure and measure the width of each step. Then measure the depth of each step. Multiply these two values together to get the square footage of the tops of the steps.

Then you are going to measure the rise of each step and multiply that number by the width. This will tell you the square footage of the risers. Add the square footage of the risers to the square footage of the steps and this is the exact square footage of the staircase. You should then add at least 10% to this figure, so that you will have plenty of waste to work with. In addition to the bamboo, you will need to order a stair nose to cover the end of each step. Sometimes you will be able to order one stair nose to cover two steps depending on how long they are.

2. Prepare the Steps

If your steps have carpet or anything else on them, you need to remove it. Get the steps back down to the raw wood before going any further. If they had carpet, you will need to remove the tac strip as well.

3. Remove the Nosing

Many times, the steps will be built with a nosing on the end. You will need to remove this nosing before you can install the bamboo. Take your tape measure and determine how far the nosing goes out. Then mark this dimension on the top of the stairs of you can easily see it. Take your circular saw and carefully cut off the nosing.

4. Install the Bamboo

After you have prepared the staircase, you can begin installing the bamboo. Take a board of bamboo flooring and turn it vertically up the riser. Use your nailer to nail this board in place.

5. Cutting to Fit

Measure the dimensions that you need to cover and then mark this dimension on a board. Using a table saw, you will need to cut the board to fit.

6. Installing the Stairnose

On the end of the step, you will need to install a stair nose. You can nail or glue this piece into place on the edge. This will provide you with a finished look on each step and it will protect the edges of the boards.