Stair Treads are the flat pieces of certain materials secured at the top of each step on a stair. The fundamentality of stair treads are- they generally have a lip that extends beyond the edge that is created by the vertical part of a step meeting the horizontal top of a step. Stair treads are basically used to provide costumers with a solid, horizontal step on which to climb safely. Stair treads are made out of hardwood, provide a new style and attractiveness to a home matched to its interior décor when they replace a carpeted set of stairs. Wood stair treads are a much cheaper alternative to constructing an entire staircase out of hardwood, since the treads usually coat an already existing stair structure.

Wood Stair Tread

Wood Stair Treads help in avoiding a lot of discomfort caused by vinyl tiles and worn out carpeted stairs which usually appear unsightly and are mostly peppered with stains. Carpeted staircases can also prove to be dangerous since they increase the probability of individuals losing their footing and even slip and fall down the flight of stairs. Wooden Stair Treads prevent such slipping and tripping and at the same time provide adequate footing to stair climbers thereby strengthening the aesthetic capabilities of any staircase.

Installing wood stair treads is also relatively easier and requires only some basic carpentry skills, a series of steps are to be followed for the installation process. For staircases which are coated with vinyl, the first step is to remove and pry off the excess material so as to expose the inner structure of the staircase. The second step is to perform a thorough examination to determine whether each step has a lip or a nosing that extends over the step below it. If such extensions exist they are to be cut off using a power saw and a handsaw. This is done primarily because wood stair treads usually comprise of their own nosing extensions once installed.

The consequent step involves creating a stringer which is a quarter-inch thick piece of plywood that match the wood stair treads and cover the sides of the bare stair structure. The stringer is to be cut with a handsaw after matching up the ideal and appropriate size with a rough imprint and estimate on the cardboard. The risers which are the vertical rectangular part of the step are also to be cut in the same manner, it is necessary that each riser is separately measured and cut because it is highly unlikely that each step is of equal size. Once the pieces are cut and made, the stringers are to be glued to the bare stair structure followed by the risers which are to be attached with glue. The stair treads fit above the riser, the risers and stair treads are to be glued to the entire staircase. Wood stair tread installations can be also very challenging at times, there are some wonderful wood products that simplify stair construction. There are certain triangular wood blocks which help in creating riser and tread combinations to facilitate the installation process.