I recently pulled the original carpet back on our stairs and found the treads were oak, matching the floor. While I’m having the floor refinished I’m also having the treads finished; the risers will be painted.
Unfortunately, because the stairs were carpeted during construction, the tread and riser installers weren’t concerned with fit and finish that wouldn’t show, and each tread and riser has noticeable gaps and mis-fits between them and the wall molding of up to 1/4 inch or so that the carpet hid.
Does anyone have any suggestions about how to cover those gaps, maybe with a molding or something that also smoothly follows the shape of the bullnose on the treads, and looks like, or is, a wall molding rather than a shoe or cove type molding?
Thanks in advance.
Replies
Paul,
You could install another skirt board , thats the board up against the wall and against the stair case, on top of the existing, or see if you can remove the existing trim skirt and shim closer to the stairs. and then put a piece of trim on top ,to transition the discrepancy
.
Tim
I'd carpet them.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Paul,
I had the same problem, here is how I solved it. I Started with a 1/2’thick piece of oak that was 3” longer than the step board was wide. I cut strips
on the band saw that were about 1/16’ thick, making a clean surface on the oak with a jointer between cuts. I then made a full size model of the step
with the bullnose about a foot wide. Take the strips and soak them in water
for 24 hours. With clamps fit the wet strips around the step model. Let them
dry in place for 24 hours. The strips should look like candy canes. Sand the strips, and finish to match the stairs. I cut mine with a pair of scissors to fit
the stairs. Used construction adhesive to glue in place. You will need to
clamp around the bullnose. For the risers you only need a flat strip. I have had no problems in two years of use.
SandMan
Is the "wall molding", skirt board painted or oak? If the skirt board is oak ,add another skirt over it. This is a job for an expierenced carpenter. If you are not sure how to do it, hire someone. If the skirt is painted, you can do the same thing, or press backing rod in the large gaps and caulk it.The caulk job won't be beautiful, but looks better than the gaps you have now.
Possibly, you might be able to remove the treads and risers. Then add another skirt on top of the existing one. Now you will have about 1/2 to 3/4" to recut on the treads and risers. Only attempt this if the treads and risers are only nailed,not glued.
mike
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