Tricks & Tools

Water based, or low VOC adhesives substitute water for solvent in the adhesive and the excess moisture will cause your treads to severely warp and buckle. If you use these ultra low VOC adhesives, you will almost certainly have warping and cupping issues causing you to have to replace your installation. This type of complaint is typically not covered by the adhesive manufacturer's nor our warranty.

There is a common concern about white risers and how they will hold up to scuff marks, and dirt. 

Have no fear, there is a solution that will settle this common delima!

Our risers are only primed and still need a fresh coat of paint before installing. When choosing the paint, you would need to use a HIGH gloss paint. Using a HIGH gloss on the risers will allow you to clean scuff marks and dirt right off with ease!

Sometimes you learn a thing or two just by hanging out with an ol' timer (or in this case, a third generation master flooring installer on a recent retro tread installation).

Earlier in the week I was on a job-site, shooting video footage of a staircase being remodeled with our retro stair treads with Shawn from Vision Installations

Some popular request that we get for wood species that may not be on our website include Kempas, Brazilian Teak, and Acacia.These wood species even sound expensive, so how can you match the wood species and also keep the cost within budget? Take a look at the chart below with the alternative to the wood species that were mentioned previously. 

Installing a landing tread that transitions into carpet flooring is crucial in ensuring your staircase's seamless and professional look. Whether renovating your home or building a new one, a properly installed landing tread can enhance your stairs' aesthetic appeal and functionality. 

Our detailed instructions and practical tips will help create a beautiful, durable transition that complements your stair treads and carpeted areas

Our customers often ask us about a solution for covering the holes left by finish nails in stair treads after installation. Here is a quick look at how you can easily fill any nail holes left after your stair tread installation. 

Landing treads are only available with the groove for 3/4" flooring, but having a groove facing the landing tread is fairly common and not a problem. Simply insert a piece of spline between the two grooves to join the two together.

Polyurethane: Yellows, more durable, stronger odor, takes longer to dry, better for things you walk on, treads

Waterbourne / Water Based Finsih: clear, dries fast, not as durable, less odor, easier cleanup, better for decorative or stuff not walked on - risers, cove, handrail

So what's the right type of wood finish to use when finishing your new stair treads? We'll help you narrow the selection with a few pointers.

So your new stair treads have arrived and it's time to go shopping for supplies, so it's off to the big box store with your shopping list in hand

There are so many different types of nails out there, but when installing your treads and risers you will want to go with the Finish Nails. Using a 16 or 18 gauge finish nail will sure get the job done and the nail hole will barely be noticeable!