How to Install a Rug on Stairs With False Treads

Install False Tread Kit

• 1

  Measure the width of the tread on the stairway. Divide this number by two to find the center of the tread. Mark the center with a pencil.

• 2

  Divide the width of the runner by two. Mark two pencil lines on each side of the tread's middle mark, perpendicular to the riser, using the dividend. For example, a 24-inch-wide runner divided by two equals 12. Mark the tread 12 inches to the left and to the right of the middle of the tread.

• 3

  Cut the false treads and false risers to the width of the unmarked edges using a miter saw set at 45-degrees. For example: a 36-inch-wide tread minus the 24 inches for the runner leaves 6 inches on each edge of the tread. Use the 6 inches to measure the width of the false risers and false treads.

• 4

  Spread wood glue along the back, marked with a manufacturers symbol, of the false risers. Attach the false risers to the subrisers at the marked edges using finishing nails and a hammer.

• 5

  Spread wood glue along the back, marked with a manufacturers symbol, of the false treads. With the non-grooved end of the false tread facing the false riser, attach the false treads to the subtreads at the marked edges, using finishing nails and a hammer.

• 6

  Apply wood glue to the groove in the false tread.

• 7

  Insert the moulding, or nosing, along the seam between the false tread and false riser. The nosing has a small protruding tongue on the top that enters the groove on the false tread. The bottom of the nosing fits over the false riser.

• 8

  Secure the nosing to the riser and tread using finishing nails and a hammer.

Install Rug

• 9

  Nail a tackless strip the length of the runner opening on the subtread.

• 10

  Cut carpet padding to the width of the runner opening and 3 inches longer than the depth of the subtread. Attach the carpet padding to the tackless strip and pull the padding over the nosing of the subtread and 3 inches down the riser. Staple the padding to the riser using a staple gun.

• 11

  Apply latex carpet glue to the edges of one end of the runner. Staple the runner to the first riser and pull the riser up to the next riser.

• 12

  Use a knee carpet kicker to stretch the runner to the tackless strip and staple the runner to the next riser. Continue stretching the runner over the risers and treads until you reach the top of the stairs.

• 13

  Apply latex carpet glue to the end of the runner and staple it to the last riser.