Installation Guide

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Artistic Finishes, Inc. / 2224 Terminal Road / Roseville, MN 55113 / 888-816-5606 / www.artisticfinishes.com
Installing Stair Nose Moldings with a Glue Down/Nail Down Floor
Application – The Stair Nose molding combines style and function to
create an attractive molding that catches the brunt of floor traffic while
enhancing the beauty of a staircase or step. The Stair Nose also
provides the proper overhang for a transition from one floor level to the
next, such as the step into a sunken living room.
Installation – Artistic Finishes manufactures two types of Stair
Nosing. The standard Flush Stair Nose is for nail down or glue down
floors and installs flush with the hardwood floor to provide a clean
transition to the next step or sunken room. The Overlap Stair Nose is
designed for floating floor installations. Stair Nose moldings are
available for floors ranging from ¼ inch in thickness up to ¾ inch.
Artistic Finishes matches the molding up to a piece of the
manufacturer’s flooring to verify the best molding is assigned to each
specific flooring line.
Flush Stair Nose – When used on a step, the Stair Nose molding
should cover and overlap the riser. When used on a step-up to another
room, the Stair Nose molding becomes the starting “edge” of the floor.
Because of the interlocking of the molding with the floor, the Stair
Nose molding should be installed first. Once the molding is in place,
the interlocking floor can be installed out from this point. To install the
Flush Stair Nose molding, apply one or two ¼ inch beads of
construction adhesive to the subfloor and set the molding in place. If
nailing, pre-drill the molding to prevent splitting and nail to the
subfloor. To assure a flush surface in any glue down installation, it is
recommended that the molding be taped with blue tape (Scotch 3M
#2090) to the floor while the glue is setting.
Overlap Stair Nose – The Overlap Stair Nose is typically used for
floating floor applications. See the floating floor section of this
installation guide for instructions on how to install the Overlap Stair
Nose.