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How to Cover the Front Edge of Stair Treads

Of the many design considerations you face when refurbishing a staircase, the leading edge of the stair treads can become the most troublesome. Most carpeted stairwells tend to be squared off and blocky-looking along the front edge once the carpet is pulled, and even if made of hardwood and rounded, this detail receives the brunt of the daily wear and tear and usually shows its damage readily over time. Several techniques can soften this edge and provide an elegant and functional bullnose radius to the treads. The result will add a finished touch of beauty to your staircase and even

Recommended Rise for Interior Stairs

Less than 100 years ago you could build a home with little oversight. This resulted in features like stairs too steep to feel comfortable climbing, as builders attempted to save floor space and materials. A steep, narrow stairway is just one example of the lack of minimum safety standards that contributed to poor living conditions, accidental injuries and deaths. In 1927 the first standardized regional building code was introduced in the United States. Today, there is still no single national building code. Codes vary slightly by region with states and localities adapting regulations to their needs. All codes, however, address

How to Convert Closed Stringer Stairs to Open Stringer Stairs

Whether a stair stringer is open or closed influences the look it imparts. A closed stringer is created with either cleats holding the step tread in place or possibly recessed cuts that encompass the tread. The result is a step where you cannot see where the tread begins or ends. In contrast, an open stringer is cut to outline the tread in a distinct zigzag pattern and the tread ends are exposed. Builders typically install closed stringers against a wall and open along a free expanse. However, they are interchangeable, and converting your closed stringer to open will create an

How to Build a Small Handicap Ramp in the Garage

A handicap-accessible ramp can make all the difference to independence, allowing not only those in wheelchairs, but also the elderly who cannot use steps confidently to get outside, go shopping or make it to the doctor's office. The best wheelchair ramp design climbs only one inch for every foot of ramp length, or less. This translates into a 12-foot-long ramp for a rise of 1 foot -- not quite two steps, typically. Often a garage just doesn't offer the room, however, and a U-shaped ramp still proves too bulky. A shorter ramp is smaller but steeper, and may require assistance

Installing Concrete Treads With Rails

Concrete stair treads are a sturdy tread material with an abrasive surface to improve traction on stairs. Concrete treads are precast to fit within the stringers of a metal staircase. Bolt-on stair treads are a simple tread solution for the do-it-yourself homeowner because they require no mortar for installation. Instead, bolts secure the treads to angle tabs on the runners, which are welded in place at each tread location. A metal handrail attaches to the concrete treads with a base plate and anchor bolts, assuring safe stairway use.

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