How to Install Laminate Flooring on Steps
Laminate flooring is designed to look like hardwood flooring. It is made of a gelatinous blend and layered with printed paper. The printed paper is the color and pattern similar to real wood. This type of flooring is cheaper than other types of flooring. It is installed in many areas of the home including on the steps.
Items needed:
- Laminate flooring planks
- Pliers
- Hammer or pry bar
- Utility knife
- Sander
- Sandpaper
- Broom
- Circular saw
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Remove any existing carpet from the steps. Use pliers to pull the carpet loose. Pull up the loose carpet with your hands.
- Pull the tack strips with pliers. Remove all staples and nails if they are present. A hammer or pry bar can be used to pull up the nails or staples as well as a utility knife.
- Sand the steps to remove paint and raised spots. This will also smooth and prepare the surface of the steps for the laminate.
- Sweep the steps to remove any debris and sanding dust.
- Trim away any existing stair nosing with a circular saw. The nosing is the part of the steps that extends beyond the vertical rise. The vertical rise is the vertical pieces of the steps that go from one tread to another. The vertical rise is not needed when the laminate is installed.
- Use a tape measure and measure the horizontal length of the steps. Mark the center of the length with a pencil. Measure the vertical length of the steps and mark the center with a pencil.
- Trim the first piece of laminate to fit on the bottom step. Use a circular saw to cut the laminate. Place the laminate on the horizontal length of the steps so the middle of the laminate is aligned to the pencil marking. Apply pressure to secure the laminate to the steps. Use both hands to apply more pressure.
- Follow the procedure in Step 7 to apply the laminate to the vertical length of the steps. This is known as the riser and goes up to the next step.
- Repeat steps 7 through 8 until all steps are complete.