Flush Stair Nose Installations for Laminate Stair Treads and Risers
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: The installation of laminate flooring on stairs is a fully adhered system. Under no circumstances should foam underlayment be placed on stair steps or risers. This will result in an unsafe condition. Do not use over-the-top step nose molding on individual stair treads.
Tool List
Optional Tools
WARNING: EXISTING IN-PLACE RESILIENT FLOOR COVERING AND ASPHALTIC ADHESIVES. DO NOT SAND, DRY SWEEP, DRY SCRAPE, DRILL, SAW, BEADBLAST, OR MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING FELT, ASPHALTIC "CUTBACK" ADHESIVE, OR OTHER ADHESIVE.
These existing in-place products may contain asbestos fibers and/or crystalline silica.
Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of such dust is a cancer and respiratory tract hazard.
Smoking by individuals exposed to asbestos fibers greatly increases the risk of serious bodily harm.
Unless positively certain that the existing in-place product is a non-asbestos-containing material, you must presume it contains asbestos. Regulations may require that the material be tested to determine asbestos content and may govern removal and disposal of material.
See current edition of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) publication Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings for instructions on removing all resilient floor covering structures or contact your retailer or Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 1 800 233 3823.
The floor covering or adhesive in this package does NOT contain asbestos.
CAUTION: WOOD DUST. Sawing, sanding and machining wood products can produce dust. Airborne wood dust can cause respiratory, eye and skin irritation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified wood dust as a nasal carcinogen in humans.
Precautionary Measures: If power tools are used, they should be equipped with a dust collector. If high dust levels are encountered, use an appropriate NIOSH-designated dust mask. Avoid dust contact with eyes and skin.
First Aid Measures In Case of Irritation: In case of irritation, flush eyes or skin with water for at least 15 minutes.
If you have any technical or installation questions, or to request a Material Data Safety Sheet please call 1 800 233 3823.
IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE FOR MINNESOTA RESIDENTS ONLY:
THESE BUILDING MATERIALS EMIT FORMALDEHYDE. EYE, NOSE, AND THROAT IRRITATION, HEADACHE, NAUSEA AND A VARIETY OF ASTHMA-LIKE SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING SHORTNESS OF BREATH, HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS A RESULT OF FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE. ELDERLY PERSONS AND YOUNG CHILDREN, AS WELL AS ANYONE WITH A HISTORY OF ASTHMA, ALLERGIES, OR LUNG PROBLEMS MAY BE AT GREATER RISK. RESEARCH IS CONTINUING ON THE POSSIBLE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE.
REDUCED VENTILATION MAY ALLOW FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE INDOOR AIR. HIGH INDOOR TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY RAISE FORMALDEHYDE LEVELS. WHEN A HOME IS TO BE LOCATED IN AREAS SUBJECT TO EXTREME SUMMER TEMPERATURES, AN AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM CAN BE USED TO CONTROL INDOOR TEMPERATURE LEVELS. OTHER MEANS OF CONTROLLED MECHANICAL VENTILATION CAN BE USED TO REDUCE LEVELS OF FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANTS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF FORMALDEHYDE, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Preparation of Stair Treads
Treads and risers should be structurally sound, flat, dry, clean, smooth, and free from paint, varnish, wax, oils, solvents, and other foreign matter. Cut off any existing bullnose flush with the riser of the stair (providing the dimension change does not violate local building codes).
Installation on Stair Treads
1. Beginning at the bottom riser, measure and cut a piece of laminate plank to fit flush with the existing stair tread. If the laminate has an attached foam or fabric, it must be removed.
2. Glue in place by laying a 3" (7.6 cm) serpentine bead of construction adhesive to the back of the flooring. Refer to construction adhesive label for all recommendations, warnings and safety precautions.
3. Press in place.
4. Measure and cut stairnose to length.
5. Dry fit the stairnose to the edge of the first tread with the molding nose overlapping the laminate piece on the riser below. Measure the distance from the edge of the stair nose to the next riser.
6. Measure and cut to width and length another piece of laminate plank for the stair tread. Using a utility knife or table saw, remove the tongue. If the laminate has an attached fabric, it must also be removed.
7. Apply a bead of construction adhesive in a 3" (7.6 cm) serpentine pattern to the back of the cut piece of stairnose and affix to the stair. (On wood subfloors, drill appropriate size holes into the installed stairnose and anchor with 6d finish nails. Set nails using a nail punch. Fill holes with a repair stick.
8. To avoid shifting over concrete, allow enough time for the construction adhesive to set prior to continuing the installation. This time will vary depending upon the adhesive being used.
9. Apply construction adhesive to the tread of the existing stair and spread evenly using a 1/16" x 1/16" x 1/16" (1.59 mm x 1.59 mm x 1.59 mm) square-notch trowel.
10. Apply a bead of adhesive (preferably a 5-minute epoxy) to the lip of the stairnose. Following the manufacturer's recommendations, immediately remove any excess adhesive from the laminate surface.
11. Place the tongue side of the flooring against the stairnose, being sure that the laminate plank surface is flush with the stairnose surface.
12. Push pieces together until joint is tight and flush, then remove excess adhesive.
13. Repeat steps 1-11 until installation is complete.
14. Allow 24 hours curing time before exposing stairs to traffic.
Installation on step-downs or landings using Armstrong™ S-1830 Two-in-One® Advanced Underlayment
1. Measure and cut stairnose to length.
2. Apply a bead of construction adhesive in a 3? (7.6 cm) serpentine pattern to the back of the cut piece of stairnose and affix to the stair. Refer to construction adhesive label for all recommendations, warnings and safety precautions. (On wood subfloors, drill appropriate size holes into the installed stairnose and anchor with 6d finish nails. Set nails using a nail punch. Fill holes with a repair stick.)
3. To avoid shifting over concrete, allow enough time for the construction adhesive to set prior to continuing the installation. This time will vary depending upon the adhesive being used.
4. Install the S-1830 Two-in-One® Advanced Underlayment leaving a gap between the stairnose and the underlayment one-half the width of the laminate plank.
5. Using a utility knife or table saw, remove the tongue from the laminate plank to be installed to the stairnose.
6. Apply a bead of construction adhesive in a 3? (7.6 cm) serpentine pattern on the substrate between the stairnose and the underlayment.
7. Apply a bead of adhesive (preferably a 5-minute epoxy) to the lip on the stairnose. Following the manufacturer's recommendations, immediately remove any excess adhesive from the laminate surface.
8. Place the tongue side of the flooring against the stairnose being sure that the laminate surface is flush with the stairnose surface.
9. From this point, continue the installation of the laminate flooring using the installation instructions provided with the laminate flooring.
Installation on step-downs or landings using Armstrong™ S-1833 Quiet Comfort™ Underlayment
1. Measure and cut stairnose to length.
2. Using a non-compressible material, such as 1/8? VCT or 1/8? hardboard, make a shim that is 4? (10 cm) wide and the length of the stairnose.
3. Apply a bead of construction adhesive in a 3? (7.6 cm) serpentine pattern to the substrate and install the shim flush with the edge of the step down. Refer to construction adhesive label for all recommendations, warnings and safety precautions.
4. To avoid shifting over concrete, allow enough time for the construction adhesive to set prior to continuing the installation. This time will vary depending upon the adhesive being used.
5. Apply a bead of construction adhesive in a 3? (7.6 cm) serpentine pattern to the back of the cut piece of stairnose and affix to the shim. (On wood subfloors, drill appropriate size holes into the installed stairnose and anchor with 6d finish nails. Set nails using a nail punch. Fill holes with a repair stick.)
6. Install the Armstrong S-1833 Quiet Comfort Underlayment up to the shim.
7. Using a utility knife or table saw, remove the tongue from the laminate plank to be installed to the stairnose.
8. Apply a bead of construction adhesive in a 2? (5.08 cm) serpentine pattern on the substrate between the stairnose and the underlayment.
9. Apply a bead of adhesive (preferably a 5-minute epoxy) to the lip on the stairnose. Following the manufacturer's recommendations, immediately remove any excess adhesive from the laminate surface.
10. Place the tongue side of the flooring against the stairnose being sure that the laminate surface is flush with the stairnose surface.
11. From this point, continue the installation of the laminate flooring using the installation instructions provided with the laminate flooring.
Instructions for installing laminate perpendicular to the stairnose
1. Measure and cut stairnose to length.
2. Using a utility knife or table saw, remove the bottom lip of the stairnose.
3. Following the instructions listed below, set the router bit and manufacture a groove on the stairnose. Use a 7 mm router bit and 7 mm splines for 7 mm products and an 8 mm router bit and 8 mm splines for 8 mm products.
4. Apply a bead of construction adhesive in a 3? (7.6 cm) serpentine pattern to the back of the cut piece of stairnose and affix to the stair. Refer to construction adhesive label for all recommendations, warnings and safety precautions. (On wood subfloors, drill appropriate size holes into the installed stairnose and anchor with 6d finish nails. Set nails using a nail punch. Fill holes with a repair stick.)
5. To avoid shifting over concrete, allow enough time for the construction adhesive to set prior to continuing the installation. This time will vary depending upon the adhesive being used.
6. Using a utility knife or table saw, remove the tongue or groove from the laminate plank to be installed to the stairnose.
7. Following the instructions listed below, set the router bit and manufacture a groove on the laminate plank.
8. Apply a bead of Armstrong S-1800 Laminate Flooring Glue or Bruce® EverSeal™ to both sides of one edge of the spline and insert it into the groove of the stairnose.
9. Apply another bead of glue to the top of the exposed portion of the spline.
10. Apply a bead of glue to the bottom lip of the groove of the piece of flooring to be installed.
11. Place the piece of flooring into position and gently tap the pieces together using the tapping block.
12. A small, continuous bead of glue must ooze to the surface to ensure a water-resistant joint.
13. Remove the excess glue with a damp cloth followed by wiping with a clean, dry, cotton cloth.
Setting the Router Bit
1. Set the depth of the router bit by placing two pieces of flooring on a flat, sturdy surface with the factory grooves facing each other.
2. After the bit has been installed into the router, place the router on the surface of the flooring and adjust the bit height visually to match the groove position.
3. To check the accuracy of your router bit setting, rout a groove on the tongue edge of a piece of scrap.
4. If there is a slight scrap of the tongue left above or below the groove, adjust the bit depth accordingly and recheck your adjustment.
NOTE: If desired, the stair nose and laminate may be grooved and splined together regardless of the direction of the laminate installation. Use a 7 mm router bit and 7 mm splines for 7 mm products and an 8 mm router bit and 8 mm splines for 8 mm products. When using splines the tongue or groove edge of the laminate flooring and the bottom lip of the stair nose must be removed.
Expansion Zone
All expansion zones between the edge of the laminate flooring installation and all vertical surfaces parallel to the stair nose should be increased according to the chart below:
|
If distance between nosing |
|
|
and vertical surface is: |
Expansion zone should be: |
|
5' - 9' |
1/4" |
|
10' - 14' |
3/8" |
|
15' - 19' |
1/2" |
|
20' - 24' |
3/4" |
|
25' - 29' |
7/8" |
|
30' + |
1" |
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