Glue Stair Treads

[Hasse C]

Hi,
I am building a staircase to a loft. I have routed out approximately 10mm deep grooves in the stringers for the tread steps. The plan was to glue the steps in place and also drive screws through the stringer into the steps. Now it feels like maybe just gluing is enough. It does look nicer. Do you think that's enough? I have no experience in either fine carpentry or gluing.

 

[HandySmurf]

When we installed a new staircase at home, the stair carpenter said they never glue the steps because it would cause the staircase to creak. They only screwed the steps into the stringer.

 

[Hasse C]

The staircase is to a loft in a guest cottage, so I don't think creaking is a problem. The question is more about whether it will hold up with just glue. In winter, we keep the house at around 10 degrees.

 

[justusandersson]

You must have learned something in craft class because it looks very nice. Great wood quality. Skip the glue and screw instead. You need something that holds the construction together in all conditions. Buy a cheap plug drill set at Clas Ohlssons and then you can countersink the screw holes and plug them afterwards.

 

[Hasse C]

Hello and thanks for the compliment. The timber is carefully selected from a regular hardware store. I've let it dry in the heated garage since the summer to ensure it hasn't warped, etc. I've rounded the edges with a cheap router. I've also used it freehand to rout the "grooves" for the treads.

I'm more than satisfied with the finish. That's why it suddenly felt a bit wrong to drive in a bunch of screws and have visible heads. I'll consider countersinking and plugs. I probably don't need to screw all the steps, right?

 

[justusandersson]

No, not all steps need to be screwed.