HOW TO REMODEL YOUR STAIR A Step-by-Step How To Guide Add new life to your staircase and achieve professional results.
0$.( $ *5$1' ),567 ,035(66,21 Renovating your staircase is more than a remodel, it’s a transformation of your home. The new look will add a dramatic change to the look of your home. Talk about a making a first impression! Using basic carpentry skills and a few tools, renovating your staircase can be a reality. This instruction booklet will help guide you through the basics of remodeling your staircase, no matter the style and construction. 2 www.surewood-lnl.
HEADER TABLE OF CONTENTS STAIRCASE TERMINOLOGY 3 USING THIS GUIDE 6 A WORD ABOUT BUILDING CODES 6 GETTING STARTED 7 INSTALLATION 8 SUREWOOD LNL ~ 3
WOOD LNL ~ TERMINOLOGY AND DESIGN There are two basic types of handrail systems. “Post to Post” and “Over the Post. The type of newel posts you choose will determine your handrail style. However, you may select any baluster type (metal, pin-top wood, square-top wood) and use it with an over-the-post or post-to-post rail system. POST TO POST Handrails in post-topost newel systems attach to block-top or box newels. These types of handrail systems require few, if any rail fittings.
TERMINOLOGY AND DESIGN Deciding on the type and style of your staircase is up to you. Updating your staircase with new components will create a dramatic first impression, and doing the job right includes getting the right parts. The drawings below illustrate basic staircase designs and the stair parts used to construct them.
WOOD LNL ~ USING THIS GUIDE This guide will cover the basic steps necessary to renovate your staircase. It is recommended that you read through this guide before attempting any demolition or removal of your existing staircase. The tools needed to finish this project are listed in each section. Many tools are available from tool rental stores or home centers. To help make your project a safe work site, it is recommended that you: 1. Wear eye protection at all times. 2.
GETTING STARTED 1 WEAR SAFETY GLASSES TREAD & RISER REPLACEMENT UPGRADE THE LOOK OF YOUR STAIRCASE WITH HARDWOOD TREADS 1. Remove existing wood balusters by cutting them 12-inches below where they are attached to the handrail. Twist to remove them, ensuring holes are clear of wood glue, nails or other debris. 2. Remove any carpet from surface of staircase to expose wood treads and risers. 3. Remove treads and risers using hammer or prybar. Remove any nails and debris. 4.
WOOD LNL ~ INSTALLATION 2 NEWEL POST INSTALLATION FOR POST-TO-POST SYSTEMS FOR BLOCK-TOP NEWELS AND BOX NEWELS WHERE RAIL IS ATTACHED TO THE SIDE OF THE NEWEL 1. Layout your staircase directly on your treads and landings (FIG 2-1). Mark newel and baluster position and centerlines. See diagram at right. FIG 2-1. MARK YOUR STAIR FOR INSTALLATION 2. With newel in position where it is to be mounted (FIG 2-2), slide short end of framing square along the slope of the stairway.
INSTALLATION 3 NEWEL POST AND RAIL ASSEMBLY FOR OVER-THE-POST SYSTEMS FOR PIN-TOP NEWELS WHERE RAIL RUNS ON TOP OF THE NEWELS FIG 3-1. MARK YOUR STAIR FOR INSTALLATION 1. Layout your staircase (FIG 3-1)directly on your treads and landings. Mark newel and baluster position and centerlines. Use layouts for Turnouts (FIG 3-1a) and Opening Cap (FIG 3-1b) if applicable. 2. For a volute fitting, the centerline of the balustrade (assembled set of balusters, rail and newels) should be laid out.
WOOD LNL ~ INSTALLATION NEWEL POST AND RAIL ASSEMBLY FOR OVER-THE-POST SYSTEMS Continued from page 9 6. See FIG 3-3. Measure and trim newel posts using guide at left. • Rake rail height (H1) should be between 36" and 42" depending on your local building code. • Center the assembled handrail over the newel locations. Measure distance between the tread and the bottom of the handrail fitting (A1 and A2). • Measure the thickness of the handrail (T1).
INSTALLATION 4 PIN-TOP BALUSTER AND HANDRAIL INSTALLATION FOR POST-TO-POST AND OVER-THE-POST RAIL SYSTEMS. 1. See FIG 4-1. Mark baluster placement on treads allowing for equal spacing and no greater than 4” on center. • • • • FIG 4-1. MARK STAIR FOR INSTALLATION TOOLS YOU NEED: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Wear Safety glasses Drill Drill bit set Drill guide Measuring tape Level Saw Framing Square Pencil Drill treads the same size and depth as pin on the bottom of baluster.
WOOD LNL ~ INSTALLATION PIN-TOP BALUSTER AND HANDRAIL INSTALLATION Continued from page 11 FIG 4-3. PREPARING OVER THE POST HANDRAIL 4. OVER-THE-POST. (FIG 4-3) Place handrail on top of pin top newels (I), but do not glue or nail in place. Use level to mark centers of balusters (J) on rail, balcony and treads of stair. Drill holes with drill guide using 5/8" drill bit. I J 5. For balconies, follow same procedures, keeping rail on flat surface when drilling. TIP 1: Install pin top balusters first.
INSTALLATION SQUARE TOP BALUSTER AND HANDRAIL INSTALLATION Continued from page 12 5. BALUSTER INSTALLATION ON SHOERAIL (FIG 5-5): • • • 6. OPEN TREAD OPTION. Using marks on tread made from Step 2, drill holes using the same size bit as the pin on the bottom of baluster (ex: 3/4"). If your balusters do not have pins on the bottom, do not drill holes in your treads. • • • • FIG 5-2. HANDRAIL & SHOERAIL CUTTING GUIDE Use an adjustable square (C) and level to determine the angle to cut balusters.
WOOD LNL ~ INSTALLATION 6 ATTACHING HANDRAIL SYSTEMS TO WALL FOR POST -TO-POST AND OVER-THE-POST RAIL SYSTEMS. 1. Attach rosette or half newel directly to handrail through the back of rosette (A) 2. Secure handrail and rosette or half newel to wall with finish nails or screws (B). Use wood plugs to plug screw holes. 9 3. Leave no less than 1-1/2” of space between wall and wall rail. 4. Secure wall rail to walls with handrail brackets. Be sure handrail brackets are anchored into studs through dry wall.
GETTING THE RIGHT PARTS Listed below are the basic parts you will need to complete your staircase project. Of course, every staircase is different, so you may need to special order certain parts. ITEM: Part QTY ITEM: TREADS: Select one tread for each step. ______ _______ RISERS: Select one riser for each step, then add one more riser per each staircase. ______ _______ LANDING TREAD: Select enough lineal footage for entire balcony and width of stairs at landings.
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