Measure and Cut Risers
From How to Get a Hardwood Look on Carpeted Stairs · Step 5 of 11 · Video by BYOT
Showing 3:40–6:00 of the source video. Watch the full video with every moment.
What happens in this clip
Use a stair jig (such as the GOOF BOARD model shown) to measure the exact length and angle needed for each riser. The jig is adjustable on both sides, allowing it to conform to irregular wall angles. Transfer these measurements to your hardwood flooring planks. For the risers, use a miter saw to cut the length, and a table saw to rip the planks to the correct height. When ripping, subtract approximately 1/8 inch from the actual riser height to allow for expansion and a perfect fit. Temporarily fit the cut riser into its position to confirm accuracy before proceeding to the next.
Goal: Accurately measure each riser opening using a stair jig and cut the hardwood flooring planks to the precise dimensions and angles.
What's used
Tools
- Hardwood Flooring Planks
- Hearing Protection
- Miter Saw (Chop Saw)
- Pencil
- Safety Glasses
- Stair Jig (e.g.
- GOOF BOARD)
- Table Saw
- Tape Measure
About the full video
This project provides detailed instructions on how to install hardwood stair treads and risers using construction adhesives, ensuring a secure and durable finish while preventing squeaks. The process involves preparing the existing stairs by removing old nosing, cleaning surfaces, addressing squeaks, precisely cutting new hardwood components using specialized tools, and finally adhering and securing them.
What's said in this clip
now that we have all of our prep work taken care of we now have a proper surface to adhere our boards to now we have to actually figure out what our alignment is going to be and what our layout is going to be for our flooring that's going to act as our risers and our stair tread first things first we're going to be installing our stair risers first which is going to butt up against this surface then we'll be installing our stair treads that butts up against it like this this also accounts for the fact that we have an amazing little nosing that we're gonna actually adhere after the stair riser is in place so it perfectly matches up and we don't have to ever see that edge anytime soon the one tool that makes life a lot easier in this circumstance is this this is a jig specifically for stair treads and razors and the way it works is that it's fully adjustable on both sides so it can determine the exact length and angle that you need at every single location now this is normally used for the stair treads but this also comes in extremely handy when doing the risers especially if the size of your walls are not straight now that we know our exact dimensions i can then start on my materials and for our materials it's so nice because we're just working with the same flooring that we did previously on our last two videos if you haven't seen those videos i'll make sure and leave a link in the description box below i cut two pieces of flooring but i do cut them an inch long in order to account for angle adjustment then i pound the tongue and grooves together making sure they're aligned and set up my table saw based upon the height of my riser i do subtract about an eighth of an inch because we don't have to have it perfectly aligned with the riser and once we have our piece cut to the appropriate height i can then take my template and mark the exact angles needed on both sides just make sure that both bottom corners align with the bottom panel and cut it to size on both sides and once you have both sides marked appropriately you can take it to your miter saw and cut both ends in all honesty on this staircase one side was almost perfectly zero degrees every single time but the other side actually did have to have a slight adjustment about a half a degree was all i needed but that degree did count for quite a bit especially when you want a perfectly flush fit
Automatically transcribed from the source video.
Step 5 of 11: Measure and Cut Hardwood Treads and Risers
Measure the length of each stair tread from wall to wall or from nosing to nosing if applicable. Measure the height of each riser. Use these measurements to cut your hardwood planks. For treads, you may need to join multiple boards or use a wider plank. Ensure your cuts are straight and accurate. If your stairs have a bullnose or specific nosing profile, account for this in your measurements and cuts.
Every video in How to Get a Hardwood Look on Carpeted Stairs
Step 1: Remove Carpet and Padding
- 0:04–0:34 Remove Old Carpet and Padding
- 0:21–0:50 Remove the Carpet
- 0:44–2:00 Remove Old Carpet
Step 2: Remove Staples and Nails
- 0:31–0:55 Remove Tack Strips and Staples
- 0:13–0:38 Remove Carpet and Prep for Installation
- 1:19–1:49 Remove Staples and Protruding Nails
Step 3: Inspect and Repair Stair Structure
- 0:09–0:14 Repair and Prepare Stair Structure
- 1:40–2:44 Prepare Surface by Filling Holes
- 3:59–6:57 Replace Damaged Stair Treads or Risers
Step 4: Clean and Sand Stair Surfaces
- 1:05–1:18 Vacuum Dust and Perform Fine Sanding
- 0:51–0:57 Strip Old Finish from Tread Surfaces
- 0:37–0:41 Sand the Staircase
Step 5: Measure and Cut Hardwood Treads and Risers
- 6:09–11:07 Measure and Cut Treads
- 0:43–0:52 Measure and Cut New Treads
- 3:40–6:00 Measure and Cut Risers (this video)
Step 6: Install Hardwood Risers
- 0:35–0:46 Install the Riser Boards
- 2:49–3:19 Install Retro Risers
- 3:55–5:35 Cut and Install Stair Risers
Step 7: Install Hardwood Treads
- 10:00–11:40 Install Hardwood Treads and Risers
- 0:49–2:35 Install the Tread and Nosing Components
- 2:35–4:25 Secure New Stair Treads
Step 8: Install Stair Nosing (if applicable)
- 4:41–5:53 Cut and Install Nosings
- 0:37–0:41 Install Stair Nose Trim
- 13:39–14:45 Measure and Install Stair Nosing
Step 9: Fill Nail Holes and Gaps
- 16:00–16:30 Apply Wood Filler for Finishing Touches
- 0:55–1:21 Apply Wood Filler to Blemishes
- 0:07–0:25 Inspect and Fill Imperfections
Step 10: Sand Repaired Areas and Final Surface
- 2:44–3:20 Sand Surfaces and Control Dust
- 1:21–1:35 Sand and Clean Stairs
- 1:47–2:00 Fill and Sand Risers
Step 11: Apply Finish (Stain and Sealant)
- 0:45–0:59 Apply Protective Topcoat
- 11:09–11:34 Apply Protective Wood Top Coat
- 2:01–2:44 Apply Polyurethane Sealer
How to Get a Hardwood Look on Carpeted Stairs
This project outlines the process of removing carpet from stairs and installing a hardwood finish to achieve a hardwood look. It involves removing existing carpet, preparing the stair treads, and installing new hardwood treads and risers.
Read the full guide Browse all guides
Planning this project? Shop Oak Valley Designs.
Subscribe for exclusive updates
Be the first to know about promotions, new products, and sales.