How to Attach Wood Stair Nose to Stairs

As with almost any home improvement job, the final touches and trim work allow for a flowing, finished, aesthetically pleasing look for the entire job. With flooring, there are several different types and pieces of available trims and moulding to complete your floor. For stairs, the finishing piece is called the "stair nose." Applying the stair nose to the stairs creates a rounded edge to the top of the stair instead of the flat, rigid hardwood or laminate plank. Install the stair nose prior to the floor; the stair nose will be your starting point.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Saw (miter or circular with proper blade for cutting floor planks)
• Construction adhesive
• Drill
• Finish nails
• Touch-up kit or wood putty

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Measure and cut a plank of the flooring to put on the riser. The plank needs to measure so it sits flush with the subfloor at the top.

   • 2

     Glue the plank to the riser with a 3-inch serpentine bead of construction adhesive.

   • 3

     Cut the stair nose to length.

   • 4

     Apply a 3/16-inch serpentined bead of construction adhesive to the back of the stair nose and apply to the subfloor.

   • 5

     Pre-drill holes in the stair nose and reinforce the stair nose with finish nails and fill in the holes with a touch-up kit or matching wood putty. (This step is optional, although recommended.)

   • 6

     Begin laying your hardwood or laminate flooring starting at the stair nose.