Material options for re-cladding of stair

last year

Hi all, I have just removed an old carpet from my stair, revealing the basic MDF steps beneath. the flat is a council flat from the 80s, and it is likely that the stair was always meant to be carpeted. This is the main access stair to my flat, located on the first floor and with the front door on the ground floor.

I would like to reclad the stair in timber and, with my basic DIY skills (but a keen interest in learning more about woodworking) I am thinking of doing this myself.

This would be done by cladding the existing steps as I have seen in several tutorials, by glueing/nailing wood boards to the risers and goings.

I am not keen to buy the prefabricated sets I have seen at B&Q etc because of their price and I am writing here to find other cost-effective alternatives.

The flat has new engineered oak flooring throughout and the stair could match that. The flooring boards I used for the floor are 150mm wide and of varying lengths so I am not too convinced about using them to do the stair as it would look a bit patchy. Having had a look online, solid oak boards are quite expensive so I was wondering whether a veneered MDF with 0.5mm real oak veneer on either side could be a suitable alternative, but I am wondering how hard-wearing this would be? There is an option for oak edging as well.

I also looked at pine boards, although they are generally sold in widths narrower than my goings (i.e. less than 280mm), except when buying a 'cill' or 'shelf' board. The pine could be stained to look like oak, or alternatively, I could paint it in a solid colour which is something I would be happy to consider from a design standpoint.

I have also seen plywood stairs online, but I wonder how suitable this would be for a stair that would be used daily. If I were to use plywood I might opt for hardwood plywood or marine plywood and possibly paint it and further treat it.

Any thoughts or tips on the above, or other alternatives? What are the pros and cons of solid oak v veneered oak v pine v plywood? If anyone has any experience to share that would be much appreciated!

Lastly, just to add a detail on the design, I would probably not have a nosing, just a square edge.

Many thanks!

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Comments (3)

Jonathan
last year
Personally I think you are trying too hard to match the rest of your home and you should think about whether a wood stair is safe. In most homes the stairs are in the middle of the home but in yours they are at the entrance and I worry that wet shoes could be slippy.

Also think the square edge could be vulnerable to damage in part because it’s a veneer.

So while I think you could make it look beautiful initially I worry about it’s longevity and so perhaps you can use your wood flooring in a different way and make the stairwell more interesting with wood cladding to the wall.?

Personally I would replace the carpet with new carpet…… coir and sisal might be a good compliment for the wood floor but they also are difficult to clean and don’t like getting wet- so I would probably buy either an inexpensive carpet and resolve to replace it every few years…… or I would get a wool carpet with a forgiving pattern- I like herringbone patterns for making a space seem wider.
Francesco
Original Author
last year
Jonathan, thank you for your tips and for taking the time to reply. I am quite keen to have it clad in timber as I don't like carpets but would probably have a carpeted area right at the entrance as a place to leave shoes as well. And I think you are right about the edge vulnerability in the veneered option. Many thanks.
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It may be worth checking your lease as sometimes there are clauses re floor coverings due to noise travel between floors.

Material options for re-cladding of stair

Comments (3)

Jonathan

Francesco
Original Author

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Material options for re-cladding of stair

Comments (3)

Jonathan

FrancescoOriginal Author

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Lisa Lisa

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Francesco
Original Author