Stair nosing refers to a strip of aluminum or plastic which is responsible for protecting the stairs edges which are not protected by the built in bull nose. The stair nosing usually has an L shaped profile in order to wrap both the rise and the stair tread. It can be quite dangerous if you have a loose nosing strip since the socks and shoes can snag on a jutting nail or an uplifted edge making you to fall. In case you don’t have any protection for the nosing, make sure you start splinter and chipping.
The top piece located on the stair nosing is a small wood strip which is usually used when the hardwood flooring has been installed on the top step. The top piece is responsible for bridging the gap between the front edge and the flooringin order to achieve a smooth transition between the stair nose molding and the flooring. After that, the stair nose is nailed to the front of both pieces in order to provide a rounded and smooth front.
Requirements
• Nail set
• Hammer
• Table Saw
• Miter Saw
• Harwood Lumber
• Driver/ drill
• Wood Putty
• 2 inch screw nails
• Putty Crayon
• 100 grit sand paper
Procedure
1. Take measurements on the hardwood flooring thickness. Buy a hardwood piece 2 inch longer than the step in order to correspond to the thickness and species of the existing flooring.
2. Take measurements of the front edge of the step to the hardwood flooring that exists. Cut the hardwood length wise using table saw. In case the flooring has not been installed; you can cut the hard wood 2 inches wide.
3. Take the measurements of the width at the front of the step and using a miter saw, cut the hardwood to similar measurement.
4. To the hardwood back, apply some heavy bead of construction adhesives. Have the hardwood placed at the step top, flush with the front edge of the step.
5. Make four holes which are evenly spaced through the hardwood sinter. Using a driver/ drill and a1/16 inch bit, drill four holes at the center of the hardwood strip. Ensure the holes are evenly spaced. Using the pilot holes, hammer 2 inch screw into the strip leaving 1/8 inch of the nail sticking up. The screws nails are usually thin, threaded that normally tighten as they are driven in.
6. Using a nailset and a hammer, tap the nails into the wood surface. Use a putty knife to fill the nail holes with wood putty. Sand the strip smooth using 100 grit sandpaper when the putty is dry. Fill the nail holes using a putty crayon when the strip is finished.
It is advisable to put on the safety glassed whenever you doing stair nosing to ensure safety to your eye since you are working with wood particles. Use the spare scrap piece of hardwood flooring which are similar instead of buying another strip for the hardwood. You always have an option of buying a ready-made stair nosing which has the top lip already attached.