Do-It-Yourself Hardwood Stairs

Climb to the top of the stairs. Measure the width and depth of the top stair’s tread and riser. The tread is the portion that you walk on, the step. The riser is the vertical piece between two treads. Divide the depth of the tread by a hardwood flooring plank’s width to calculate how many planks you will use to cover the tread. Also divide the riser by the plank’s width to calculate how many are needed to cover the exposed riser.

Measure the width of the ledge, or nosing, which is the part of the tread that extends beyond the riser. The measurement will determine how much space to leave along the front of each tread. Although not necessary, bull-nose planks installed along the front of each tread add a decorative and finished touch to a hardwood stairway.

Cut hardwood planks to the required dimensions for each tread using a circular saw. Also cut bull-nose planks to the required length.

Walk to the bottom of the stairway. Cut the tongue off a hardwood plank for the bottom stair riser. Spread an even layer of wood flooring glue over the back of the plank, and lay it over the base of the bottom stair riser.

Tap the plank gently with a mallet so its lower edge falls flush against the floor. Apply a thin bead of the glue over the grooved side of that plank.

Spread glue over the back of a second hardwood plank. Insert the second plank's tongue into the grooved edge of the previous plank to form a seamless joint that covers the riser partially or completely, depending on the width. If required, repeat the process of laying hardwood planks until you cover the bottom riser completely.

Cover the bottom stair tread after installing planks along the riser. Spread the glue over the back of a hardwood plank, and set it along the back of the tread, flush against the base of the riser above the tread. Align the plank so its grooved edge falls against the edge of the riser base.

Spread glue over the back and grooved edge of another plank. Center and lower that plank on the tread, with the plank's grooved side locking securely into the tongue of the plank already inserted. Tap the joint lightly with the mallet, and continue the process of laying hardwood planks over the tread. Leave a gap along the front edge of the tread that matches the width of a bull-nose plank.

Spread a bead of glue over the back and grooved edge of one bull-nose plank. Join the bull-nose plank's grooved side with the exposed tongue of the plank on the tread. Press the bull-nose plank so it adheres to the edge of the stair.

Install hardwood planks and bull-nose planks on other portions of the stairway by following the same procedure you used for the bottom tread and riser.