Plywood steps

[Floskar]

I have a straight staircase that I am planning to replace the treads and risers. New steps are insanely expensive. I'm thinking of making the treads out of 21 mm plywood, which I will then cover with some laminate flooring. Has anyone done this?

 

[gmogmo]

I have a straight staircase that I plan to replace the treads and risers. New steps are insanely expensive. I'm thinking of making treads out of 21 mm plywood and then covering them with some laminate flooring. Has anyone done this?

My father did it in a curved staircase 25 years ago, but with thin parquet + oak trim at the front. It works and still looks good, although you can feel the transition from parquet to trim.

 

[Johan Gunverth]

I have a straight staircase that I plan to replace the treads and risers. New steps are insanely expensive. I'm thinking of making treads out of 21 mm plywood and then covering them with some laminate flooring. Has anyone done this?

Why don't you cover the existing steps with the same laminate flooring? 21 mm plywood is very thin for steps. I don't think you can find thinner than 30 mm to buy, and that's stiff woods like oak. Stair materials in pine are always 40 mm.

 

[Floskar]

Why don't you cover the existing stairs with the same laminate flooring? 21 mm plywood is very thin for stair treads. I don't think you can find anything thinner than 30 mm to buy, and then it's stiff woods like oak. Pine stair materials are always 40 mm.

The staircase is from '69, creaks like hell, and I've tried to fix this, but it gets better for a while. There's also carpet on it, and the treads are 240 mm deep; I'd like to go up to 280-300. Thanks for the tip regarding stair materials. I've Googled like crazy and am in the industry. 30 mm plywood is also available.

 

[Johan Gunverth]

Then I'm on board. Sounds like a good idea to replace it then. Plywood may be strong, but it is not rigid. It could probably be a bit scary to walk on those stairs if the steps give way.

 

[gmogmo]

The staircase is from 69, creaks like hell and I've tried to fix it but it gets better for a while. There's also carpet on it and the steps are 240 mm deep, I'd like to go up to 280-300. Thanks for the tip regarding staircase materials. I've googled like crazy and am in the industry. 30 mm plywood is also available.

Ah, I thought you were going to reinforce the steps with 22 mm plywood.

 

[Floskar]

Now I understand. Sounds like a good idea to replace then. Plywood may be strong, but it is not rigid. It could be a bit scary to walk on that staircase if the steps give way.

I have received a tip about glulam that is well-priced. 42x270 mm

 

[Floskar]

Ah, I thought you were going to reinforce the steps with 22 mm plywood.

Okay, I'm bad at explaining. It's now leaning towards glued laminated timber 42x270.