DIY Network

Stairway Remodel: Preparing the Stringers / Building and Installing the Skirt Boards From "Weekend Remodeling" episode WKR-207

	In this episode of Weekend Remodeling, host Fuad Reveiz converts this stairway from average ...
	to eye catching!

In this segment, host Fuad Reveiz prepares the stringers and builds and installs the skirt boards.

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult, this project rates a 4.

Materials:

Utility knife
Flat pry bar
Circular saw
Jig saw
Miter saw
Air nailer
Sander
Drill and bits
Tape measure
Level
Framing square
Miter saw
Chalk line
Air nailer
Handrail
Treads
Risers
Skirt boards
Balusters
Newel posts
Hardwood flooring
Landing tread
Felt paper
Screws
Stain
Paint
Polyurethane
Finishing nails

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

1. To get proper measurements for the skirt boards, you'll need to clean up the stringers first. Cut away the overhang of the landing with a circular saw, and remove the leftover frame pieces with the reciprocating saw.

2. Trim up the drywall edges and remove the dried glue. Since the new treads are thinner, you'll need to adjust for it on the stringer, so you'll need to measure the distance from the floor to the landing and divide by the number of steps you have. This tells you how tall the risers need to be. For this particular project, this meant Reveiz had to shim the stringer treads 1-1/4" (figure A).

3. At the bottom step, install a brace that will hold that riser in place. To mark for the skirt boards, hold a level across the new tread shims and use a framing square to find the 90-degree angle (figure B). Then draw a line where the skirt board will go. And mark for the one under the landing.

4. On the inside of the stairs, mark a line parallel with the steps. Then using a speed square, calculate the height of the skirt board. With the outside skirt board temporarily held in place with a couple of screws, now mark for the rise and run. Trace along the riser using a pencil since it touches, and score the tread line using a paint knife.

5. Transfer the marks to the other side of the board so you'll be able to accurately cut a 45-degree angle for the risers to match up with, and for the skirt board on the inside of the stairs, simply use a framing square to mark the rise and run.

6. Take the boards outside and cut out as much as possible with a circular saw, then finish the cuts in the corners using a jig saw.

7. The outside skirt board cuts are made on a 45-degree angle (figure C), which allows the risers to have a professional look. Use a framing square as a guide to cut the angles. This gives a straight edge to cut along.

8. When the angled cuts are made, go back and cut the treads off square.

   Now that the stringers have been cleaned up and some shims have been added to even everything up and both the inside and outside skirt boards have been measured and cut, the next thing is to trim the risers down to size, but first you'll need to get the skirt boards installed to ensure a perfect fit.

9. Set the inside skirt board in place, making sure it goes behind the carpet at the floor (figure D). Attach it in place with 2" finishing nails into the studs in the wall.

10. Line up the outside skirt board and nail it to the stringer. Use a temporary riser with a 45-degree angle cut on the end as a guide. Use it to make sure the finished risers will line up.

11. Add the skirt board under the landing.

12. Measure the risers from the wall tot he outside edge of the skirt board, and then cut it to length, mitering the end at a 45-degree angle. This will match up to the angle cut on the skirt board.

13. Add wood glue to the joint and make sure it's flush. Then nail the 45-degree joint with a brad nailer.

14. Swap over to a nail gun and secure the face of the riser to the stringers (figure E) with eight penny finish nails. Do each riser like before working your way down the stringers. When they're all on, fill in the nail holes with vinyl spackle

In the next segment, Reveiz will install the treads and install the hardwood on the landing.

RESOURCES :

Armstrong Brichall Flooring Information

Armstrong Floors
Website: www.armstrong.com

Custom Stair Parts (Coffman Stairs)

Color: Unfinished maple
Where available: Coffman Stairs (see contact information, below)

Coffman Stairs
Phone: 276-783-7251
Website: www.CoffmanStairs.com

GUESTS :

Maureen Cone
Representative
Armstrong Floors
Website: www.armstrong.com

Scott Hampton
Installation expert
Coffman Stairs
Phone: 276-783-7251
Website: www.CoffmanStairs.com