The staircase is one of the eyesores in my house and really needs a refresh 
It's a pine staircase with needle felt carpet on the treads, and I was always planning to buy a staircase renovation kit. But inspired by others who have built with their own laminate, I'm starting to consider that option myself...
The hope is that I could then have a staircase in the same color/laminate as the rest of the downstairs. But now my concern. I have an Alloc floor and it comes with a "silent system" when you buy it, meaning some kind of "foam" factory glued on the underside of the laminate. Do you think it can be glued to the stairs? I'm afraid it will stick like glue and be almost impossible to remove before gluing it to the stairs. Do you think it would be possible to glue the "silent system underlay" to the steps, or is that asking for trouble...? :eek:
It's a pine staircase with needle felt carpet on the treads, and I was always planning to buy a staircase renovation kit. But inspired by others who have built with their own laminate, I'm starting to consider that option myself...
The hope is that I could then have a staircase in the same color/laminate as the rest of the downstairs. But now my concern. I have an Alloc floor and it comes with a "silent system" when you buy it, meaning some kind of "foam" factory glued on the underside of the laminate. Do you think it can be glued to the stairs? I'm afraid it will stick like glue and be almost impossible to remove before gluing it to the stairs. Do you think it would be possible to glue the "silent system underlay" to the steps, or is that asking for trouble...? :eek:
Your laminate flooring downstairs is very similar to others from different manufacturers and builders' merchants. So it might not show any difference with a couple of packs from another range, which don't have the plastic on the underside. I mean, oak is oak, etc
Double-sided tape?
Then I think a staircase is a staircase, and a floor is a floor. A staircase can well differ in design from the floor without looking ugly or strange.
Another aspect is the edges (step nose). A floating (and bouncy due to underlay foam) floor is difficult (impossible?) to get nice and practical edges on. Without edges, there is a high risk of chipping/splitting, which is unfortunate because floating laminate floors cannot be repaired.
Then I think a staircase is a staircase, and a floor is a floor. A staircase can well differ in design from the floor without looking ugly or strange.
Another aspect is the edges (step nose). A floating (and bouncy due to underlay foam) floor is difficult (impossible?) to get nice and practical edges on. Without edges, there is a high risk of chipping/splitting, which is unfortunate because floating laminate floors cannot be repaired.
Well, finding another laminate that matches the color might be a bit tricky. I have the absolutely best-looking one and I either want exactly the same or something completely different (which will be the case if I go with a renovation kit).
Regarding the stair nosing, I thought maybe one could put some kind of metal strip there.
and I either want exactly the same or something completely different (which will be the case if I go with a renovation kit).Regarding the stair nosing, I thought maybe one could put some kind of metal strip there.
Hey J.A, first of all, congratulations on purchasing an incredibly good floor for the downstairs, Alloc (now BerryAlloc) always impresses with its quality.
However, gluing this floor directly onto the stairs with the step mat still in place - not a good idea.
You want steps that are firm and secure - this approach will not achieve that.
I also want to highlight an important aspect, you're not alone in wanting the stair treads to match the floor. I meet customers daily who want this, and I always tell them the same thing when they want to alter a nice old staircase:
This is a modern "trend," when you want to change the floor, what will you do then? If you have applied laminate flooring with a mounting adhesive and want to change the appearance again - then you have problems, big problems.
I always advise thinking carefully if they want to do this.
Additionally, if you install laminate flooring as stair treads, then you have nothing protecting the sensitive side of the floor, which will be exposed on each step, in other words - you will need a stair nose on each step (costs money, maybe not so nice looking?)
May I ask why you wouldn't renovate the existing staircase and remove the needlefelt carpet etc. if that would be desirable?
However, gluing this floor directly onto the stairs with the step mat still in place - not a good idea.
You want steps that are firm and secure - this approach will not achieve that.
I also want to highlight an important aspect, you're not alone in wanting the stair treads to match the floor. I meet customers daily who want this, and I always tell them the same thing when they want to alter a nice old staircase:
This is a modern "trend," when you want to change the floor, what will you do then? If you have applied laminate flooring with a mounting adhesive and want to change the appearance again - then you have problems, big problems.
I always advise thinking carefully if they want to do this.
Additionally, if you install laminate flooring as stair treads, then you have nothing protecting the sensitive side of the floor, which will be exposed on each step, in other words - you will need a stair nose on each step (costs money, maybe not so nice looking?)
May I ask why you wouldn't renovate the existing staircase and remove the needlefelt carpet etc. if that would be desirable?
I wanted a slightly nicer approach but yes, I've seen just one actually...that was done with craftsmanship. But the final finish still doesn't look good to me...Stefan N said:
I'm pondering back and forth, and after seeing pictures of some nicely renovated stairs - WITH needle felt carpet - I'm now also considering that option. The carpet does indeed have the advantage of being quite cozy to walk on and absolutely slip-resistant.
But how difficult is it usually to scrape off the old carpet? :x
But how difficult is it usually to scrape off the old carpet? :x
Well, there are many who will come and say that it's really tough.
It's very easy, I say.
Just a bit of sanding really.
It's very easy, I say.
Just a bit of sanding really.