Laminate flooring is a versatile alternative to other floor types since it can mimic their look while also offering significant strength. But like all floors, laminate has its own installation quirks. And when installing laminate flooring on stairs, there are added factors to take into consideration. For example, laminate is best installed in “boxed” (enclosed) stairways so that the unfinished edges – which show the laminate’s layers – aren’t exposed to view. In addition, while laminate floors are usually floated above the subfloor, this is not advised for installation on stairs for safety reasons.
Here are the steps for installing laminate on stairs.
Step 1
Cut your laminate flooring to measure, keeping in mind that you won’t have to leave an expansion perimeter. Laminate does not tend to expand or contract very much.
Step 2
Start from the top of the stairs and work your way down. By doing this you avoid standing on the freshly installed flooring (and you won’t trap yourself upstairs when the job is done!).
Step 3
Glue the flooring in place. It is recommended that you do not “float” laminate flooring on stairs. Cover the entire underside of the plank with adhesive. Insufficient adhesive will cause the laminate to lift up over time.
Tips
- One gluing tip is to apply the adhesive, put the board in place, and then pry it up immediately. If it appears as though there is sufficient coverage of adhesive on both the laminate plank and the step, you know you’ve glued it correctly.
- If you don’t think adhesive is adequate for the job, you might consider nailing the laminate flooring to the step (subfloor). But bear in mind: Nailing may damage the face of the laminate. It may also void your warranty. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations or call an installer for their thoughts. If you do decide to go with nailing, use a pneumatic (automatic) nailer. This will reduce the likelihood of splitting the laminate boards.
- You should also use nosing and risers when installing steps. The nosing should overlap the riser and hide any cuts to the laminate that you’ve installed. Note: The subfloor of some stairs already have nosing. Often, this existing nosing can be made flush with the riser by adding plywood to the riser.
