If you're ready to give your staircase a budget-friendly, fresh, and modern makeover, installing vinyl stair treads with custom vinyl nosings we provide, this DIY installation tutorial is right for you. Vinyl stairs are durable, stylish, and easy to maintain, and the non-finished painted stringers & risers give your staircase a sleek, contemporary edge. In this post, we’ll walk you through each step of the process—from painting to installation—so you can achieve professional-quality results.
Step 1: Painting Your Staircase
Before you dive into installing your vinyl stair treads, it's important to paint the stringers and risers first. This ensures that the staircase is properly sealed and ready for the vinyl to be applied.
Choosing the Right Paint: We recommend using Dulux paint for this project. We’ve been using Dulux for years and have always been pleased with its high quality. While we’re not endorsing the brand, it’s a choice we’ve made based on consistent, excellent results. Dulux provides smooth, long-lasting coverage for wood surfaces like stair stringers and risers.
Tip for Keeping Tools Fresh: To prevent your brushes and rollers from drying out during breaks, wrap them in plastic or place them in a sealed plastic bag. This keeps them ready for the final coat at the end of your project.
Prepping the Staircase: Before applying paint, make sure to fill any holes or imperfections in the wood. Use wood filler for minor damage, then sand the surface until smooth. This helps achieve a flawless finish.
Applying Paint: Start by applying your first coat of paint, let it dry, then apply a second coat. The final coat should be applied once your stair treads are installed—this ensures everything looks uniform and polished.
Step 2: Measuring and Making Templates For Your Vinyl Stairs
Once your painted stringers and risers have dried, you’re ready to start measuring for your vinyl treads. Accurate measurements are crucial to ensure a perfect fit.
Tools for Measurement: You can use a tape measure, a laser distance measurer, or any tool you’re comfortable with to get precise measurements of your staircase. Just remember that no two staircases are perfectly straight, so expect some angle inconsistencies.
Cutting Templates: Start by creating a template for each step. In our video tutorial, we show how to handle common inconsistencies, but we want to emphasize that stair angles can be tricky, and tread depths may vary. Take your time with your measurements and double-check them before cutting.
Use Leftover Nosing for Templates: When cutting the vinyl stair nosing (the rounded edge of the tread), use an extra piece of nosing as a template before cutting your purchased nosings. Leave a small gap (1/8” or 1/16”) for glue. This will make your installation smoother and ensure everything lines up.
Making Adjustments for Inconsistent Angles: If your staircase has angle inconsistencies or uneven tread depths, be sure to make adjustments to your templates. Each step might require slight modifications in both the nosing and tread.
Step 3: Cutting Vinyl Stair Nosings & Vinyl Stair Treads
Once you have your templates ready, it’s time to cut your vinyl treads to size.
Tools Needed: A miter saw or a table saw is essential for this step. If you’re not confident in using these tools, consider hiring a professional installer to help with the cuts.
Cutting the Vinyl Stair Nosings & Vinyl Stair Treads: Measure the tread width and cut both the nosing and the second part of the tread about 2-3 inches longer than needed. This extra length will give you a bit of flexibility when trimming for a precise fit later.
Aligning the Pieces: To make cutting easier, place the tread on a piece of wood or plywood of equal thickness. Tape the nosing and the second part of the tread together, then use a scribe to mark the exact cut. Secure it with clamps for extra accuracy.
Saw Recommendations: If using a 10-12 inch saw, you can cut both parts of the tread (nosing and second part) together. However, if you only have a smaller 7-inch saw, it’s best to cut the nosing and second part separately.
Checking the Fit: Always check the fit on-site after each cut. Trim again if needed to ensure each tread fits snugly.
Step 4: Gluing the Treads
With your treads cut and ready, it’s time to glue them into place. Proper adhesion is key to a durable, secure finish.
Adhesive Choice: We recommend Mapei Eco 373 or a similar adhesive for the underlay part of the tread. For the nosing section (where the underlay is removed), use PL Premium for extra strength and leveling.
Gluing Process: Start by applying a thin layer of Mapei adhesive with a 1/16” trowel. We also use special professional tape, which doesn’t need to be removed during the process, but for DIY projects, it’s a good idea to remove the tape and apply the adhesive evenly over the entire surface.
Apply PL Premium to the Vinyl Nosing: Once you’ve applied Mapei to the vinyl stair tread, use PL Premium adhesive on the vinyl stair nosing section. After applying the adhesive, carefully place the tread into position, ensuring it fits snugly. If using a different method, you can also apply adhesive directly to the back of the vinyl tread or to the tread itself.
Clean Excess Glue: Don’t wait for the glue to harden. Immediately wipe off any excess with a damp cloth. This ensures a clean, neat installation.
Securing the Treads: For extra security, use tape to hold both the nosing and second part of the tread in place. Let the glue cure for at least 8 hours before walking on the stairs.
Step 5: Painting and Finishing
With the treads glued in place, it’s time to finish off your staircase with some final touches.
Filling Gaps Between Vinyl and Painted Sections: If there’s a small gap between the vinyl treads and the painted stringers or risers, use DAP or fast-drying DAP to fill it. Apply it carefully around the edges, using your finger, damp cloth, or a knife to remove excess.
Final Coat of Paint: Once the DAP filler is dry, apply the final coat of paint to your stringers and risers for a smooth, seamless look.
Trimming Excess Tape: Carefully trim any excess tape along the edges of the vinyl. Then, remove the tape from the painted stringers and risers.
Let Everything Dry: Allow the paint to fully dry before walking on your newly finished stairs. Once the paint is dry, you’re all set to enjoy your beautiful new staircase!
Final Thoughts
By following these steps—painting, measuring, cutting, gluing, and finishing—you can easily install vinyl stair treads with non-finished painted stringers and risers to create a sleek, modern staircase that is both beautiful and durable. This DIY project is a cost-effective way to elevate the look of your home, and with the right tools and a bit of patience, you’ll have a staircase that looks like it was done by a pro.
Stay tuned for more DIY tips and tutorials from @VINYLNOSING on how to tackle your home stairs improvement projects! Happy building!
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