![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-remodel-carpeted-stairs-to-wood-2.jpg\")
<\/a>Cost of converting carpeted stairs to wood<\/h2>\n
If you hire someone to perform the work, you\u2019ll pay between $100-$200 per stair, reports HomeAdvisor. The cost to redo 10 to 12 carpeted steps ranges between $1,080 to $2,700, including carpet removal. DIYers can complete the project in under $500, depending on the design of your staircase, number of stairs, and the type of wood used.<\/p>\n
Anatomy of a staircase<\/h3>\nYour DIY project checklist<\/h2>\n
Please note that the following steps are tailored specifically to homeowners replacing carpeted stairs with new wood ones. The process is a little different than refinishing existing hardwood stairs hidden under carpet.<\/p>\n
1. Order your stair treads and risers<\/h3>\n
Once you\u2019ve decided on the look you want for your new stairs, order your treads and risers. A tread is the part of the stair you step on; a riser is the piece it\u2019s attached to.<\/p>\n
Make sure you order retrofit treads<\/a>. They\u2019re specially designed for easy installation over carpet treads. You\u2019ll want quality hardwood for your treads. But unless your risers must match them, they don\u2019t need to be made out of the same wood. Cheaper paint-grade wood, such as poplar, will suffice.<\/p>\n Pre-stained treads will save you time and elbow grease, but you\u2019ll pay for the convenience. An unfinished tread from Hardwood Lumber Company<\/a> starts at $71 while a stained version will set you back $119. And if you\u2019re going with popular white risers<\/a> for your stairs, you can purchase them pre-painted, too.<\/p>\n Lumber companies and sites like Stair-Treads.com<\/a>, which specialize in treads and risers, offer a variety of wood and style choices. If you order from them, factor in extra time for delivery. You may pay a bit more, too.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re in a hurry and just want basic, budget-friendly options, head to your local home improvement store.<\/a> There\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll be able to drive off with your stair pieces or pick them up in a day or two.<\/p>\n After you\u2019ve acquired treads and risers, collect the additional tools, materials, and protective gear needed to complete your stair remodel.<\/p>\n Grab your pry bar<\/a>, utility knife<\/a> , pliers<\/a> and work gloves<\/a>. This is dusty work, so be sure to mask<\/a> up, too. Then head to your top stair, slip on your gloves and let the ripping begin.<\/p>\n Slice into the carpet, starting in the back corner of the tread and continuing across it. Reach under a corner of the carpet and pull it across the tread to dislodge it. Repeat the process as you work your way down the stairs.<\/p>\n Remove padding in the same fashion. It\u2019s usually attached with staples\u2014lots of them! Pull them out with your pliers. Then use pliers and a pry bar to dislodge the tack strips that attached the carpet to the subfloor.<\/p>\n Vacuum away dust, dirt and carpet scraps.<\/p>\n Before installing your retrofit treads, remove the noses from your existing treads. The nose, also known as a bullnose, overhangs the edge of a tread by about an inch. You\u2019ll need to saw off all noses so the retro treads will fit. Measure the width of the overhang on each tread, then draw a line to mark the area you\u2019ll cut with your circular saw<\/a>.<\/p>\n Measure your existing treads. Then measure and cut your new treads to size with your saw. Since each stair may vary slightly in size, be sure to keep track of which tread goes with which stair. Pro tip from YouTube home improvement channel Cedarly<\/a>: Write the number of the coordinating stair on the bottom of each new tread. Follow the same process for your risers.<\/p>\n Starting at the bottom of your stairs, attach your first riser to the subfloor with construction adhesive<\/a>. Then adhere your first tread. Work your way up the stairs, alternating risers and treads. This technique ensures each tread will sit flush against the riser.<\/p>\n Follow these steps to complete the staining stage of this project:<\/p>\n Unfinished treads are sanded by the manufacturer. But you\u2019ll want to give them another polish before applying stain to ensure a smooth finish.<\/p>\n Go over the top of the tread and the edges with fine grit sandpaper (120-220) by hand or with a small sander. (Check out these recommendations from House and Garden for the best sanders for stairs<\/a>.)<\/p>\n If your risers are the same wood as your treads, repeat the process on them. Sweep or vacuum all sawdust before moving on to staining.<\/p>\n Home improvement bloggers like Diane Henkler<\/a> advise using a pre-stain conditioner<\/a> to avoid unsightly blotches. Let it dry for 15 minutes, then begin staining your stairs.<\/p>\n Use a foam brush<\/a> to apply your stain and a lint-free cloth<\/a> to blot excess. (Wear gloves to prevent staining your hands.)<\/p>\n Be diligent about cleaning dust as you go\u2014 specks can easily settle into damp stain and mar your hard work. Once the stain dries, protect it with two coats of polyurethane<\/a>. If your risers will match your treads, repeat the process on them.<\/p>\n Typically, you should wait at least 24-hours before walking on your beautiful new stairs. Block access with a pet or baby gate. For added protection from dust and dirt, consider sealing off the area with a plastic barrier like one of the options available from Zipwall.<\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re not up for redoing your carpeted stairs yourself, or your job is too involved, turn to a pro. Even when you put the job in someone else\u2019s hands, you\u2019ll still have to don your project manager hat. Here\u2019s a rundown of key tasks you\u2019ll need to plan for \u2014 and issues that could throw a wrench in the process:<\/p>\n For a simple stair renovation that just requires removing carpet and installing new treads and risers, hire a flooring professional or experienced handyman. For bigger endeavors, like stairways that need to be reconfigured, have odd-shaped steps or railings, you\u2019ll want someone who specializes in stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cIf there\u2019s a railing system, you can\u2019t just put down hardwood around it,\u201d says Michael Lonsdale<\/a>, a general contractor in the San Francisco Bay Area. \u201cThe railing has to come out because it goes through the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n To find a stair specialist, check the Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Organization<\/a>\u2019s website. In addition, you may want to consult an architect if your stair remodel involves an extensive re-design and structural changes.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Do you love the polished, traditional look of clean white risers paired with rich espresso-hued treads? Or are you going for something more casual, like an oak staircase stained with a warm honey gold? Narrow down your ideas and review them with your contractor.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s best to have magazine examples to show your stair guy exactly what you want,\u201d says Lonsdale. \u201cThen you can figure out if it can be done and how much it will cost.\u201d<\/p>\n Once you have a clear vision for your stairs, coordinate with your contractor to order your hardwood and other necessary materials.<\/p>\n The time to complete a stair renovation varies dramatically depending on the scope of the project, materials and other issues. A professional can usually finish a basic wall-to-wall<\/a> stairway in a few days. Jobs involving more complex work, such as changing the layout of a staircase or replacing the subfloor, can take weeks or months.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter the carpet\u2019s torn up, a contractor will assess the soundness of the subfloor stairs to make sure they can support the new stairs,\u201d says Lonsdale. \u201cEspecially in older houses, the subfloor might need to be repaired or replaced.\u201d<\/p>\n Your contractor will\u00a0 also walk up and down the stairs to check for squeaks. If needed, he\u2019ll add screws to the subfloor framing to eliminate them.<\/p>\n \u201cStairs are one place you really don\u2019t want squeaks,\u201d Lonsdale notes.<\/p>\n The type of wood you choose for your stairs can also affect your timeline.\u00a0 If you opt for unfinished pieces, your contractor will need extra time to sand and stain them.<\/p>\n Stair companies often farm out certain parts of a job, like designing custom railings, to skilled craftspeople. This type of work demands meticulous attention to detail, so you\u2019ll want to monitor it closely to prevent mistakes that could cost you time and money.<\/p>\n Kim T., a California resident, discovered this when she hired a stair company to remodel her curved, carpeted staircase with wood. The project included a new railing. Unfortunately, the artisan who designed it was off in his measurements.<\/p>\n \u201cThe curvature of the railing was way off, so it had to be ripped out and redone,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n To keep your stair renovation from going off the rails, don\u2019t hesitate to ask contractors to double-check crucial measurements. And speak up whenever you have questions or concerns.<\/p>\n Find out if you\u2019ll be grounded for some or all of your stair renovation. Kim and her family had periods of limited access to their second floor during their three-month project.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d have to stay off the stairs for a couple of weeks at a time and then there would be a week or so where we could go up and down,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t get to upstairs bedrooms, store clothes and other essentials downstairs and figure out sleeping arrangements. If you have kids, put a fun spin on the inconvenience by setting up a tent outdoors \u2014 weather permitting \u2014 or throwing a living room campout. Facing an extended period of disruption? Consider a staycation at a local hotel.<\/p>\n Stair safety is no laughing matter. Each year, stairway accidents<\/a> result in thousands of injuries and deaths. It\u2019s essential for your contractor to ensure your stairs comply with safety codes<\/a> and that he acquires the proper permits.<\/p>\n According to Londsdale, if a contractor is just redoing the surface of your stairs and keeping the same layout, you don\u2019t need a permit. It\u2019s a different story when railings are involved.<\/p>\n \u201cRailings are a big safety issue, so they have to meet code for things like being graspable, spacing and height,\u201d he says. \u201cAny railing should be permitted and inspected.\u201d<\/p>\n2. Gather your supplies<\/h3>\n
Tools<\/h4>\n
\n
Materials<\/h4>\n
\n
Protective gear<\/h4>\n
\n
3. Remove carpet and padding<\/h3>\n
4. Prep and cut<\/h3>\n
5.\u00a0 Attach your treads and risers<\/h3>\n
6. Stain your new stairs<\/h3>\n
Prep your stair pieces<\/h4>\n
Apply pre-conditioner, stain and seal<\/h4>\n
Block off your stairs<\/h4>\n
<\/a>When to hire a professional<\/h2>\n
Choose the right kind of contractor<\/h3>\n
Finalize your design choices<\/h3>\n
Watch out for timeline busters<\/h3>\n
Deal with tricky details<\/h3>\n
Prepare for access issues<\/h3>\n
Make sure your stairs are safe<\/h3>\n