gap between tread and skirt board
Make sure to nail into the studs behind the drywall. Should a skirt board on a stair case be installed over the treads? The gaps. How to fix gap between carpet and wall to prevent rodent? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It's impossible for a PVC skirtboard to be damaged by fungus/mold/moisture as it doesn't contain any organic constituents. going with this guy and got a great deal on the Qtr & Rift sawn white oak. Recently I noticed a set of stairs at a friends house that looked busy he used his regular baseboard trim to trim the entire staircase. So we shimmed between the skirt and the stair stringer, Treads and risers will cover everything up. How to show that an expression of a finite type must be one of the finitely many possible values? Was looking at molding options but didn't know how to fit around curved edge of the tread, as well saw on several DIY sites that molding is a sign of poor carpentry. If you're going to remove the carpeting, you'll probably want to replace the treads with solid wood. Also, be aware that paint can be very slippery, especially glossy paints. I use to use a framing square and a 2 foot level to lay out directly on the skirt. The stairs are supported by two thick stringers, so I don't think this is a big structural issue as much as an aesthetic one. A stair skirt board is an unbroken piece of trim for your stairs. Skirt boards are one of the hardest things in my opinion to do. The most popular size for a skirt board is a 1x10 board. Ray, the board is cut. You might have a good fit on one, only to ruin it or the one below if you're too tight. He used construction adhesive and nailed the treads and screwed the risers into the treads. A negative of using softwoods is that they are often twisted or warped. You can install your stairs first, then put the skirt board on after. What you're doing isn't the ideal way, but it's doable. 2. Cut the bottom line using a circular saw. Why is this the case? It is possible to get decent butt joints, though you will run the risk of seasonal movement opening up some small gaps. Look at any grandfather clock and you'll recognize the familiar shape of cove molding on the base and around the hood at the top. Now she's looking closer and has noticed that some of the treads have slight gaps while others do not. Hardwood is usually used to match the stair treads. The negatives of MDF for skirt board are that it can sometimes emit gases like formaldehyde polluting the air indoors. You can use a board stretcher and close up the gaps. While a skilled carpenter can install a skirt board after stairs have been installed with relative ease, it is far easier to install the skirt board first, and then the stairs. Stair Skirt boards are supposed to tie into existing baseboards that run on the lower and upper floors of your house. Your stating radial and tangential directional concerns. A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. It's a pain. It could turn out fine and then again it might not, if it does not then the whole stair is ruined. Peoria, I'm not quite picturing where your problem is--Slateberry's answer is totally different from what I was thinking. I want to put new treads on these stairs which are finished wood so that there is . is it worth taken a chance and have to look at this, every time you walk up the stairs?. Those gaps are there by design. The skirt boards were notched around the stairs at some point leaving 1/4"-1/2" gaps. Our boards offer superior resistance to fade, stains, rot, mold and insects, and are impact resistant. Reforging Glory. The first thing is to get the bottom edge of the skirt to touch the nose of every tread or at least close. first, the skirt boards are newly installed oak. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. 215 Year Old House - Wide Board Attic Refinishing, What can I do with this weird 2 ft cantilever, Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. I am snug where the nose meets the skirt, end up having 1/8" to 1/4" gap as you approach the riser. Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application, Minimising the environmental effects of my dyson brain, Styling contours by colour and by line thickness in QGIS, Euler: A baby on his lap, a cat on his back thats how he wrote his immortal works (origin?). There are several important things you need to consider before you have a skirt board for your stairs. The treads will expand in width with seasonal moisture changes, but very little in length. The first step is to fix the height of the skirt board. Some people prefer the skirt board to have the same height as the baseboard where they meet, while some prefer the skirtboard to sit above the existing baseboard. If done afterwards it seems like it would be nearly impossible to cut accurately (around the nosing etc). They can squeak or loosen between treads, and stairwells attached on only one sideknown as open stairscan even begin to separate from the wall. The two most important points are the tip of the nosing and the intersection of the tread to the riser. While they don't offer any protection to your wall, they come in a variety of designs. Try it on a few, and make sure it works, before installing the whole run. This way, there will not be a gap between the riser and tread. 2. They are tight fitting at the bullnose of the steps but then as you get farther back to the riser there is a wedge-shaped gap. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. Staircases are made from wood, stone, concrete, steel, glass, plastic, vinyl, or combinations of different materials. and what should be expected as "normal". homes for sale in fishersville, va; I see now. Which means it will have an actual thickness of " and width of 9-". Start by checking underneath the tread to see if there's a scotia molding bridging the tread with the riser. And can't extend them because the last step is already less than 3' from the exterior foundation wall. This site is a result of my DIY passion, and to share the joys I have experienced fixing, building, and creating things over the years. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." gap between tread and skirt boardmichelle fleury ancestry. Last, consider using an MDF board for stair skirting. Remember, you will be able to push the skirt out if either the riser or tread is just a bit too long. The size of the gap you leave between decking boards can vary depending on the species of wood you choose, the moisture level, and the humidity and temperature in the climate you are installing in. Engineered Floor Joists vs 2X10 Lumber: Which is Better? That is why I am an installer before an inspector, Ray. It's fitted along the closed end of the stairs and is made from a range of materials. If I was the contractor doing this install and came to the job to see what my men have done, there would be no second guessing about ripping those few treads out and replacing them. Install 10 x 1 vertical siding boards from top of water board drip flashing to top of wall spaced ~ 1 apart. A stair skirt is a finish piece of carpentry. Share Improve this answer A good solution in such a case is to use a flexible material like vinyl or PVC as the skirt board. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Of course it could have been better too. You then need to install the 2nd riser. Simply cut the bullnose to length with a miter saw, place it in the corner where the tread meets the riser and use a pin nail gun to fasten it in place, advises Home Decor Bliss. Table of Contents: 1. I will be putting some decorative rail on all my skirting boards, and it will be stepped back a few millimetres. So, you might be able to hide some of that with white caulking, and the skirt board paint. You don't want increase the chances of someone slipping on the stairs, tumbling down, and landing on that tile at the bottom. And, then pulling it out after the treads are in place. I had my stairs professionally done but I watched the carpenter so I'll mentioned what I observed. If it's not perfect, it shows. Walkout Basement Explained: Pros and Cons. The remaining 3/4 inch overhang was plenty of reveal to look good against the skirt board. The biggest negative to hardwood skirt board is that it's quite expensive. Shaddy has also worked as a newspaper reporter and writer, and as a contributing writer for Bicycling Magazine. So the treads arrived 1 inch short with pre-applied nosings. as a separator between the drywall and the stairs, it acts as a protective layer. While there are alternatives to having a skirtboard, it remains highly popular due to its ease of construction and appearance. The first type is the one between the stairs and the wall adjoining the stairs. If a law is new but its interpretation is vague, can the courts directly ask the drafters the intent and official interpretation of their law? Business, Economics, and Finance. I really don't like to see him not show up the second day but rather drop off his rt. Each deck board and stair tread, similar to pressure/preservative-treated wood, is required to have a label. If you do not plan to paint your board and want it to match your hardwood treads, then youll have to contact a local lumberyard. For example, 40 psf load on a 16-inch (406 mm) span would be expressed as "16/40" on the label. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on how to do this the best? Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. This is probably the fastest way to trim your stairs if you don't want a skirt board. MDF and softwood are used if the skirting board is to be painted. I was going to use a homemade jig to measure stair treads. Identify those arcade games from a 1983 Brazilian music video. The dimensions should be no less than 9-1/2" wide because the skirt must sit at least 1-1/2" above the nosing of the stairs. The steps are split-entry style and skirtboards butt up to . For that reason I would paint them as they are. And once you do find one, expect to pay a pretty penny for it. It's fitted along the closed end of the stairs and is made from a range of materials. gap between tread and skirt board. I'll have to use stainable/paintable filler because I was planning on staining the treads and painting the risers white. You don't want gaps of any kind on the ends of the treads or risers - quarter round doesn't bend around the tread nose! If there's some deviation between the skirt board and the drywall, you can run a basecap along the top of the skirt . I only brought up the "tread end gaps" because my wife was abit overboard about it. Other pressed board, such as plywood, also works when the veneer is used on the exposed edge. Cove lends a touch of charm to the treads that testifies to better woodworking skills, even though the installation of cove is basically the same as bullnose. And often, they are painted. Stairs with two closed ends will have a stair skirt board on both walls. Well you basically cut your tread width to the point where you have to gently hammer them home (maybe 1/16 inch long). It comes in different sizes, but for most stair tread gaps, 1/4- by 1/4-inch works just fine. In your scenario, I'd throw temp treads on until the drywall was hung and finished. In this case, you need to make sure that there are no imperfects at the joints between the stairs and the walls. The easy . It has finished edges, making it better suited for stair skirting than plywood since it is already white and doesnt need a piece of trim on top of it to hide the unfinished thickness of the skirt. Since our rise is 7-1/4", we just used 1x8 boards, If you are ready to embark on a stair skirt board, your next question will be what size lumber to use. I want to put new treads on these stairs which are finished wood so that there is no visible gap between the end of the stair tread and the wall or skirt board. The second type is one that runs on the outside of the stairs along the stairs stringer. You might want stair skirting if you have baseboards in your house, as skirting will serve to connect, esthetically, baseboards on either ends of the step. Apply a coat of carpet adhesive to the stair treads and put the carpet on the tread. The wood is solid oak. http://www.collinstool.com/base.php?page=collins_tread_gauge_ends.htm, http://www.woodworkingbuzz.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71. Question, how much gap width is too much? The dimensions should be no less than 9-1/2 wide because the skirt must sit at least 1-1/2 above the nosing of the stairs. They are not the easiest things to build, particularly if the treads and risers are solid hardwood. Filling the gap couldn't be easier. It is not going to continue growing. Follow the same steps with this one. Even if skirt boards get damaged, they are much easier to correct and repair compared to patching a hole in a drywall. Make the cuts using a circular saw and guide. I would never leave a gap either on the tread or the riser where it meets the skirtboard. Read the blog article for more details The current stairs had carpet on them so the gap didn't matter. A stair tread jig (which you can make) will copy the distance and the quirks of the opening between the skirtboards. It might be less than 1/16 inch, up to 1/4 inch or even more. The steps are split-entry style and skirtboards butt up to drywall on both sides. Some home reno stores offer oak project pieces, but its doubtful youll find a piece of hardwood skirting that will be long enough for your stairs. I'd try putting masking paper, (the 12 or 16-inch wide stuff with the preattached masking tape), over the skirts. It would seem to me that if every step is that way, then they were either poorly done to begin with, or the outside trim was replaced at one time, and the cuts were off. The last two cuts depend on the height of your baseboard trim. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. Where that paint has come off, it looks like MDF. The carpet protected them from wear, but the paint may not take the abuse as well. A stair tread jig (which you can make) will copy the distance and the quirks of the opening between the skirtboards. Specializing in hardwood furniture, trim carpentry, cabinets, home improvement and architectural millwork, Wade Shaddy has worked in homebuilding since 1972. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. There are a few situations wherein you need not or should not have a skirt board. Thanks for all the great responses. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! 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MDF and softwood are ideal for painting, while hardwood can be finished to match hardwood stair treads. If you opt for no skirting, you run the risk of an awkward transition between your existing home baseboard trim on either end of the stairs. I'm sorry to say its your call. There are two kinds of skirt boards for stairs. Even with paint on them, I'm not sure how well they'll take the daily abuse of being walked on. go under the stairs and shim the stringers in, to close the stair carriage. The reason stair skirts exist is to simplify the finished look of a set of stairs. It requires less planning and can be installed after you're done building the treads and risers. A stair spindle is a vertical post or rod that is used for structural support and to fill the gap between two stair treads. What goes between stairs and wall? The solution is to get it from your local lumber yard where they'll most likely be able to get very long boards for you. A stair skirtboard is an elegant and practical feature found in most modern homes. I am passionate about woodworking, general DIY and home improvement. Next make sure of your overhangs top and bottom. Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at /works/38514553. hand man and then show up at 6:30 pm. 2-7 Measuring and cutting the wall skirt. There should not be any gap at all, especially when when you have oak meeting oak. Can I meet this goal by installing the skirt board over the installed stair treads? In this article, well take a look at the variety of ways you can use a stair skirt on your stairs. How to bridge a gap between two countertops? It also has a 90-degree back. The stringers are the diagonal pieces of wood that the treads and risers butt into on the sides. Use the prybar to pry the tread slightly away from the riser. What sort of strategies would a medieval military use against a fantasy giant? I screw the bottom back of the riser to the tread as I work my way up-that joint will never open. They now want us to paint the risers and skirt boards. One of the benefits of plywood for stair skirting is that you can purchase birch, oak, or maple plywood and stain it instead of painting. There are a host of options to choose from including MDF, hardwood, softwood (pine or fir), and plastic. JavaScript is disabled. Use a heavy floor paint or polyurethane to protect them. I use my 10" Hitachi compound slider. Give the installer a break. Post subject: Re: gaps between solid treads & skirt boards. 4. Mercedes-Benz GAP Insurance. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Afterall, what would be worse-that character creak to hear your daughter come in or a totally quiet stair? Are there tables of wastage rates for different fruit and veg? Square cut the lines on the skirt. There is already a skirt on both sides of the stairs as well. It's the fastest way to fill minor gaps, and if you're not happy with the way it looks, you can always install molding over it. It only takes a minute to sign up. Honey. An instance when you would want a skirt board will be if your home has the same baseboard trim throughout the house. The skirt projecting above your top step should be cut vertically to match the height of your existing trim if that is the look youd like. At first my wife loved the new hardwoods. Place the skirt against the wall, with the cut end flush against the floor. The labeling should describe the allowable load and maximum allowable span. Fix the height by measuring if the skirt board extends past the nosing by 2-1/2" ( or a value you prefer). Going below 1/2" thickness is not recommended as it can make the board too flimsy, especially for softwood and MDF. In that way, you are using the paint and narrow molding piece to fool the viewer into the appearance of a stair skirt. There are myriad methods for skirting a set of stairs, which means there are also a ton of different looks you can achieve with a stair skirt.