DIY Tutorial: How to Install Laminate Flooring on Staircase

Tired of staring at those drab and outdated stairs every time you walk up to your home?

Are you looking for an easy, affordable, and stylish upgrade that can transform the look of your staircase in just a few hours? Look no further than laminate flooring!

In this DIY guide, we’ll show you how to install laminate flooring on stairs in 7 simple steps.

Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or a first-timer, our step-by-step instructions will help you achieve stunning results with ease.

So grab your tools and let’s get started!

When choosing laminate flooring for your staircase, it is important to choose a product that has been rated for stairs.

To begin the installation, start at the bottom of the staircase and work your way up.

It is important to leave an expansion gap around the perimeter of the stair (about 1/16th of an inch) to allow for the expansion and contraction of the laminate planks with changes in temperature and humidity.

Tools Required

• Tape measure
• Laminate flooring (enough to cover your staircase) 
• Stair nose molding 
• Construction adhesive / Wood Glue
• Putty knife 
• Circular saw or jigsaw 
• Hammer 
• Nail setter and 1” finishing nails 
• Carpenter’s level or a laser level 
• Tapping block and mallet OR rubber mallet 

 With these supplies on hand, you’re ready to start installing your new laminate flooring. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Preparation

Before installing the laminate on your floor, leave it in the same room for at least 2 days so that the laminate gets accustomed to the room’s temperature and humidity and does the necessary expansion or contraction required.

Remove all the previous flooring on your stairs, if you have used glue then make sure to scrap it off the stairs to create a clean and smooth surface.

You can use a putty knife or a paint scraper to scrape off all the paper and remove nails and other unnecessary flooring materials on the stairs.

After all the preparation is done, give the entire area a good vacuum to remove all the debris, papers, and other crappy materials on the floor.

Step 2: Measure and Cut the Planks

If you’re planning on installing laminate flooring on your stairs, the first thing you’ll need to do is measure and cut the planks.

This process is relatively straightforward, but it’s important to take your time and make sure that each plank is cut correctly.

To start, you’ll need to measure the width and length of each stair.

Once you have those measurements, you can use a saw to cut the planks to size. It’s important to be precise when cutting the planks, as even a small error can throw off the entire installation.

Once all of the planks are cut, it’s time to move on to the next step

Step 3: Install Risers and Treads

The tread is the walking area or the horizontal area on the stair that you step on and Raising is the vertical area on the stair.

Nosing is the area where the horizontal and the vertical meet.

i) How to install risers

To install the risers, first, measure the length of the entire rise and cut the board to size.

Then, you can install them using a drill and screws, and attach them to the stringers (the supports that run along the sides of the staircase). Or, you can apply glue on the back of these boards and fix them and nail them.

Make sure that the top of each riser is level with the one next to it.

ii) How to install treads

To install the treads, measure the length of the tread but make sure to leave a gap in the front portion to fix the nosing.

Then, starting at the bottom of the staircase, apply wood glue at the bottom of the laminate and fit each tread into place. Place some weight on the laminate and use the nail gun to nail the treads.

Be sure to leave a small gap between the tread and the edges of the stair so that the laminate can expand and contract without buckling.

Step 4: Cutting and Installing the Nosing

After you have determined the size of your nosing, use a miter saw to cut it down to size.

You will then need to attach the nosing to the front of your treads.

To do this, you will first need to apply a layer of construction adhesive to the back of the nosing.

Then, press it firmly into place on the front of your stairs. Once the adhesive has dried, you can then proceed with adding nails.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

After your laminate planks are cut and laid in place on your stairs, it’s time for some finishing touches.

Make your staircase waterproof by adding a silicone sealer to seal the laminate flooring and prevent water leakage.

Once everything is in place, give your stairs a good vacuum and mop to get rid of any dust or debris.

Conclusion

Installing laminate flooring on stairs may seem daunting, but with the right tools and a bit of patience, it can be done easily

Once you are finished, your stairs will look amazing!

We hope our DIY guide has helped make this process easier for you and given you the confidence to tackle it yourself.

Good luck and happy renovating!