I need some good advice from someone who knows the best way to deal with the top step and the flooring being installed in a room. Inotherwords, if I start at one side of the room and a set of steps are in the middle of the room running in the same direction as my tread, how do I connect the tread to the room flooring because it will never be in the right place to simply line up width-wise. The stair nose is the same material an also tongue and groove.
tongue and groove stair nose
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happyhours
Well-Known Member
start at the step and work away from it or get and overlap stairnosing
My first thought, in an ideal world was to install the stair nose first, then the plank behind it and complete the first full length line, then work from each side of that row towards each opposing wall but because this is a nail down tongue and groove bamboo I don't believe I can do that. I believe I'm locked into having to start the initial row with the open groove side towards a wall and build from there being that the nails have to go into the tongue base. That prevents me from working toward the groove side direction?
This is my first nail down install. I don't think I have many options if I am thinking correctly.
Can't you use splines to reverse direction?
Floorist NAILED it! See what I did there? Arent I clever? Use a spline (aka slip tongue) and simply reverse direction. Make sure you glue and nail it though. Wow, starting out with a stairnose and reverse on your first nail down installation? That takes balls, good on ya.
So I am assuming splines is essentially a tongue I glue into the groove side to reverse the progression and it will allow me to build from either side from the one central piece tied into the stair nose. So tell me where can I buy splines? Is that something I have to go to a specialty store for or do the big box guys carry such a thing?
I am certainly not scared. I've done extensive home remodeling and many of the projects were firsts for me. I'm pretty handy and have worked as aircraft mechanic and model builder. I make sure I do plenty of research and ask the right people so I only have to do it once!
Whoever is selling you the flooring should be able to tell you where to buy the splines. You can make them, but it's easier to buy.
Did anyone else pick up on the fact he builds model airplanes? Lol. Just kidding buddy. I make mine. Once you get your table saw set correctly you can make a whole crap load at once. You probably won't be able to buy bamboo splines.
Ever built one? Not a plastic model, but a radio controlled airplane out of wood or fiberglass. There is a lot more to it than one might think. I was also an aircraft sheetmetal mechanic for commercial airlines.
I'm certainly not the quickest handyman but I can get it done if I put my mind to it. Usually looks pretty good when I'm finished. That's the perfectionist in me. Thank goodness I don't do it for a living. I would have a hard time making money at my pace...lol
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Take your time. Think it through. Remember EVERY piece must have a tongue and groove engagement. Make sure you countersink the screws you're using for the stairnose and glue that as well.
Will do and thanks for the advice. I knew someone would have a better idea for me. I do appreciate it.
The salesman at Lumber Liquidators really was guessing by making my own tongue when I got to the stair nose with the planking and someone else told me to cut it flush with the stair nose back side and just nail it down - both of which seemed like not very sound advice.
The salesman at Lumber Liquidators really was guessing by making my own tongue when I got to the stair nose with the planking and someone else told me to cut it flush with the stair nose back side and just nail it down - both of which seemed like not very sound advice.
happyhours
Well-Known Member
Now that that problem has been worked out how about a pic or 2 of those planes? 
My dad used to build and fly them back when I was young. He made the type that had wire tethers to control the flaps . I have pics of those somewhere around here.
My dad used to build and fly them back when I was young. He made the type that had wire tethers to control the flaps . I have pics of those somewhere around here.
Now that that problem has been worked out how about a pic or 2 of those planes?
My dad used to build and fly them back when I was young. He made the type that had wire tethers to control the flaps . I have pics of those somewhere around here.
I would love to see those planes. I used to do a lot of woodworking but nothing as intricate as model planes.
I have plank installation documentation but there is no documentation for installing the stair nose pieces themselves. Being that the stair nose pieces have a groove and no tongue, tongue nailing like the planks is not an option. Is surface nailing the norm?
Where exactly is the best location on the nose pieces to fasten them and what style fastener is best to do the job and be the least obtrusive?
Thanks!
Where exactly is the best location on the nose pieces to fasten them and what style fastener is best to do the job and be the least obtrusive?
Thanks!
My usual response would be "thats why you hire a professional" however you happen to catch me in a giving mood. Depending on your layout, eg which direction you're installing, you may have to use a spline to make a tongue and grove engagement. You need to countersink trim screws and use a little PL premium to glue it and screw it. Keep your holes toward the middle of the nosing and then fill the cavities with putty. If it's just a regular three foot nose I usually drill a hole 2"-3" from either side and center two more in between.
Good deal. I will be making splines to plank in the opposite direction off the first plank at the stairs.
With me doing a nail down installation, do I stop the underlayment short of the top stair nose and shim the nose piece with a wood filler to bring it to the same level as the planks so I can glue and screw that nose piece down?
With me doing a nail down installation, do I stop the underlayment short of the top stair nose and shim the nose piece with a wood filler to bring it to the same level as the planks so I can glue and screw that nose piece down?
I'm not really sure what you mean however cut the underlayment away from where the nose will go so you can glue directly to the substrate.
If I am gluing and screwing all the stair nose pieces, at the top step, I cannot glue and screw that nose piece if all of the planking is laid on top of an underlayment. I would imagine the height of the top stair nose piece will be lower due to the planks being stacked on underlayment. I am thinking that piece has to be handled differently because of the flooring all being on top of underlayment. Does that paint a better picture of what I'm referring to?
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How soon are you starting the installation? I'm looking for some photos.
Can you show a layout or a photo of the room showing the stair location in relation to the room?
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